The Test of Time: Murder By Decree (1979)

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

We all have movies we love. Movies we respect without question because of either tradition, childhood love, or because they’ve always been classics. However, as time keeps ticking, do those classics still hold up? So…the point of this here column is whether or not a film stands the test of time. I’m not gonna question whether it’s still a good flick, but if the thing holds up for a modern audience.

Director: Bob Clark
Starring: Christopher Plummer, James Mason, and Donald Sutherland

I’ve grown up loving Sherlock Holmes. I read many of the books, watched a shit ton of the old black and white movies, and even tuned into those ancient radio programs. Yeah, so we all loved some nerdy stuff growing up. What of it. While Holmes always remained the world’s great detective, he rarely ventured anywhere near a world considered horror. Crime? Of course. Weird oddities? All the time. But truly frightening? Not very often.

However, Bob Clark, the future director Porky’s (who previously directed the cult classic Black Christmas) decided it was time to interject a little fear into the foggy streets of London for the 134th Sherlock Holmes film (or so the production claimed). But does it hold up or just blow?

Under the examination: Murder By Decree

Holmes looks…shocked.

THE STORY: Everyone’s favorite original detective Sherlock Holmes and his main man Watson are back on the case, and this time with a truly deadly foe: Jack the Ripper. Turns out, we have a blend between fiction and reality here as someone is carving up prostitutes in London. The police can’t do anything to stop it, so Mr. Holmes takes the case. When the women keep dying, he tries to locate one Anne Crook who might be able to break the case as a golden witness. But can he find the killers identity before the killer disappears into existence?

WHAT STILL HOLDS UP: As with any Sherlock Holmes tale, the quality always comes down to the quality of the actors playing Holmes and Watson. Oh sure, the story matters, but lets face it…we don’t always know what the hell is going on so it’s up to the performances to maintain that audience attention. Sometimes the duo chemistry works (obviously Cumberbatch and Freeman) sometimes it blows (Downey and Law).

In the case of Murder by Decree, producers cast worthy titleholders with the always fantastic Christopher Plummer (Holmes) and Jason Mason (Watson). Both men bring their A game with Mason toning down the normally expected Watson goof and Plummer giving one of his better performances. He knows how to create a character of passion and drive, and that’s what this Holmes has as he’s sick of seeing women killed. Once he starts to make connections to the British government (hence the title), then he really gets pissed. His final speech  (no spoiler) really remains powerful. And while many Holmes fans mocked the Guy Ritchie movies for pushing action too far, they weren't too far off. Plummer isn't Iron Man, but he gets after it, going deep in the fog to do battle when necessary. As for the Ripper, I've seen darker interpretations, but the final act at least does get as gruesome as a PG flick can.  

Speaking of the British government and conspiracies, one strange thing about watching Murder by Decree now is realizing how much From Hell ripped it off. Sure, Depp didn’t play Holmes but damn close enough with his powers of deduction and drug use. I would almost claim that From Hell shouldn’t given credit to this film until I learned that both were based on a book by Stephen Knight, who claimed the Freemasons and the British government were behind the crimes. However, don’t let that sway against watching it because who doesn't want to see the best detective uncover the crimes of the world’s most notorious serial killer.

Why, Mr. Sutherland. You look different. 

WHAT BLOWS NOW: The worse thing about Murder By Decree comes from it not yet being remastered. It’s a shame, too, because this should be one fancy looking film: rich with dark shadows, fog, and thick ass sideburns. There’s way too much grain going on for a such a well-made movie. With all the renewed Holmes love (does any generation not dig Holmes?), one would think studios would dust off everything from 221B Baker Street, give it a spit shine, and put it back on the shelves (real or digital) for fans to consume.

And then there's the little shit that blows. The pacing plays ridiculously slow at points by today’s standards. Especially at the end, where Holmes basically gives a Scooby Doo recount of the crimes committed by today’s adventure. It needs about a 15 minute trim. And maybe a tad more. The film's score is just terrible, sounding a little too made-for-TV. The last 10 minutes makes you wanna hit the damn mute button. It's that bad. I’m pretty sure those Lifetime movies have more dynamic scores. Lastly, this would have been more enjoyable from a horror standpoint if the production had pushed the horror, the darkness a little more. It didn't need to get crazy, but a little more would have been welcomed.

Does a horse really need blinders in the fog?

THE VERDICT: Slow for today's viewers and the thing looks like a copy of a copy of a copy of a copy, but don't let that ruin one of Holmes' darkest films. Murder By Decree might not scare the shit out of you, but it'll engage your brain while he goes head to head with the most infamous killer who ever existed.

GET MURDER BY DECREE DVD HERE