Murder by Decree

[softmachine]

Just watched this today, having meant to do so for a while, and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Anyone else here a fan?

 

I love the way in the opening scene in the opera house, the theme of class war (for want of a better description) is spelt out by the boo-ing and horay-ing of the Prince of Wales (and the Duke of Clarence who is important to the plot) .... and indeed by Holmes' and Watson's different reactions to it.

 

It's pretty gruesome too,  a few scenes gave me more than a few chills!!

 

Plummer and mason are excellent as a Holmes/Watson partnership. I understand Plummer palyed HOlmes previously, does anyone know if that is also available commercially?

[Carol the Dabbler]

According to Internet Movie Database, Christopher Plummer also played Sherlock Holmes in two productions of "Silver Blaze" (both in 1977).  You might try checking your local Amazon for that title.

 

[softmachine]

ah thanks Carol!

it looks like only Decree is available right now. I'm sure that will change in years to come (I hope!)

[Carol the Dabbler]

I just thought to check YouTube and found this:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=dS6atTAlhFU

 

There are apparently some other videos related to this on there as well, but my dial-up connections doesn't facilitate checking them out.

 

[softmachine]

wow that is a fantastic bit of online detective work there Carol many thanks

[Carol the Dabbler]

If you've got even a halfway decent internet speed, it just about always pays to check YouTube.

 

[softmachine]

i'm not averse to it but I've always preferred physical media y'see

[Carol the Dabbler]

Oh, me too for sure!  But YouTube is a damn sight better than nothing, which is all too often the only alternative.

 

[wildwoodflower]

Murder by Decree. I actually saw this in the theater when it came out:-) There are some seriously creepy scenes in this.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

I have yet to see anything based on the Ripper Murders that wasn't creepy.

[Meyers]

It is strange that movie makers seem to circulate around the Masonic/Royal Conspiracy theories when there is absolutely no evidence of either involvement. "Decree" and "From Hell" are fictional accounts which are done very well.

 

If anyone is interested in a fact based JTR film, I would suggest Jeff Leahy's film "The Definitive Jack the Ripper".

I believe it is free on the dreaded YouTube.

 

Meyers

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Will have to look that up, thank you for the head's up.

[BBally]

I've always been interested in a Sherlock Holmes vs Jack The Ripper type stories.

[Bakerstreet Irregular]

Or the Ripper murders in General, Bill. They were very gruesome to be sure. But fascinating to study. 

[Pawse]

Both Murder By Decree and Silver Blaze are available on YouTube.

 

Edit to add: have watched them - very good.

[joanneta1]

Not only is this film very interesting to watch, what with so many great actors in it, since Sir John Gielgud and Donald Sutherland are in it, too, but what Christopher Plummer shares with Benedict is that they both appeared in Star Trek films, albeit with different Kirks.

Plummer was the dreaded Klingon General Chang in Star Trek VI, The Undiscovered Country. And how I wish this were the film that inspired the screenwriters, instead of the Billy Wilder one!