Murder by Decree (1979)

Murder by Decree is the kind of Victorian thriller that feels luxuriously lived-in: foggy streets, gaslit dread, and a mystery that keeps tightening its grip as it goes. Christopher Plummer’s Sherlock Holmes is incisive without being cold, and James Mason’s Watson brings warmth and wit that make their partnership a pleasure to watch even when the subject matter turns grim. What makes it especially satisfying is how it braids Jack the Ripper lore into a broader conspiracy, giving the investigation a pulpy, page-turning momentum while still savoring mood and character. It isn’t for the squeamish—there are brutal killings and a persistent sense of menace—but if you like Holmes stories with real atmosphere and a conspiratorial edge, this one is an engrossing evening.

Murder by Decree is clearly aiming for a classy, grown-up mashup of Sherlock Holmes deduction and Jack the Ripper paranoia, with a big “the powerful are hiding the truth” conspiracy at its core. The problem is it often feels more like a lecture than a thriller: lots of talky exposition, dense plotting, and a pace that drags just when you want the investigation to tighten the screws. If you want a lean, clue-driven mystery or a genuinely scary Ripper film, this can feel overlong and a bit self-important, especially once the politics start taking center stage. Still, Christopher Plummer brings a thoughtful, credible Holmes, James Mason is reliably charming as Watson, and the grim Victorian atmosphere does some heavy lifting if you’re in the mood for a slow-burn period procedural.