Murder by Decree (1979): Sherlock Holmes, Jack the Ripper and Freemasonry
Directed by Bob Clark, based on a book by Stephen Knight, Murder by Decree (1979) finds Sherlock Holmes rushing to solve the brutal Jack the Ripper murders. The plot points at the Royal Family and the Freemasons as suspects, a scenario that would be revisited in later Jack the Ripper films. At several points, Sherlock Holmes displays knowledge of the secret signs and handshakes of Freemasonry. At this point, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's characters had entered the public domain, and new stories had sprung forth using them. Christopher Plummer presents an empathetic Sherlock Holmes, a departure from previous portrayals. James Mason plays Dr. Watson as a level headed man with a valuable skill set, also a departure from past bumbling depictions. The supporting cast is great as well, including Donald Sutherland, John Gielgud, Susan Clark and David Hemmings.
Christopher Plummer: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
Christopher Plummer and James Mason: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer and James Mason: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer and James Mason: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Jack the Ripper: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Sherlock Homes and Freemasonry: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Sherlock Homes and Freemasonry: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Sherlock Homes and Freemasonry: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Sherlock Homes and Freemasonry: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer and James Mason: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Sherlock Homes and Freemasonry: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Donald Sutherland: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
Sherlock Homes and Freemasonry: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer and James Mason: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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Christopher Plummer and James Mason: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
]
Sherlock Homes and Freemasonry: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
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: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
Christopher Plummer and James Mason: Murder by Decree. Sherlock Holmes. Jack the Ripper
