With a UK TV series and the Americanised films as popular as ever, Studio Canal bring you an original classic Sherlock Holmes case from the 1970’s.
Directed by Bob Clark, the director of the cult horror slasher BLACK CHRISTMAS and the cult classic PORKYS, MURDER BY DECREE follows everyone’s favourite detective as he hunts down the murderous Jack the Ripper. When the murders of several street walkers bring local traders to Sherlock Holmes’ door but no-one from Scotland Yard, our charismatic detective feels he is intentionally being keep out of the loop on the investigation. When psychic medium Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland – DON’T LOOK NOW) offers relevant information to the detective, Holmes decides to take the investigation into his own hands. As more murders are discovered Holmes and Dr. Watson face a race against time to hunt down the one woman who may be able to help uncover the identity of the infamous killer.
MURDER BY DECREE has a very early Bob Clark feel, with his previous horror film experience in films like BLACK CHRISTMAS and CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS bringing a dark edge to the films already gritty plot. Compared to the more recent telling of the Sherlock tales I will admit MURDER BY DECREE isn’t as fast paced, however the general feel and the well written script moulded this film into a nice little crime tale. The acting styles of some of cinemas greats such as Donald Sutherland and Christopher Plummer gave a touch of class to the film’s grit and horror.
Plummer made a fantastic Holmes and teamed with James Mason (CHILD’S PLAY, NORTH BY NORTH WEST) we are treated to one of the best Sherlock and Watson teamings of the original films, adding some humour to somewhat serious plot. I found the “you squashed my pea” sequence charming and I found myself chuckling to it which goes to show how the right teaming works well.
If you are a fan of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle then you will be transfixed to this 1970’s classic as you would be to any current film or TV series.
Release date: 2nd April 2012
Format: DVD
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 118 mins
R.R.P: (DVD) £15.99
Directed by Bob Clark, the director of the cult horror slasher BLACK CHRISTMAS and the cult classic PORKYS, MURDER BY DECREE follows everyone’s favourite detective as he hunts down the murderous Jack the Ripper. When the murders of several street walkers bring local traders to Sherlock Holmes’ door but no-one from Scotland Yard, our charismatic detective feels he is intentionally being keep out of the loop on the investigation. When psychic medium Robert Lees (Donald Sutherland – DON’T LOOK NOW) offers relevant information to the detective, Holmes decides to take the investigation into his own hands. As more murders are discovered Holmes and Dr. Watson face a race against time to hunt down the one woman who may be able to help uncover the identity of the infamous killer.
MURDER BY DECREE has a very early Bob Clark feel, with his previous horror film experience in films like BLACK CHRISTMAS and CHILDREN SHOULDN’T PLAY WITH DEAD THINGS bringing a dark edge to the films already gritty plot. Compared to the more recent telling of the Sherlock tales I will admit MURDER BY DECREE isn’t as fast paced, however the general feel and the well written script moulded this film into a nice little crime tale. The acting styles of some of cinemas greats such as Donald Sutherland and Christopher Plummer gave a touch of class to the film’s grit and horror.
Plummer made a fantastic Holmes and teamed with James Mason (CHILD’S PLAY, NORTH BY NORTH WEST) we are treated to one of the best Sherlock and Watson teamings of the original films, adding some humour to somewhat serious plot. I found the “you squashed my pea” sequence charming and I found myself chuckling to it which goes to show how the right teaming works well.
If you are a fan of the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle then you will be transfixed to this 1970’s classic as you would be to any current film or TV series.
Release date: 2nd April 2012
Format: DVD
Certificate: 12
Running Time: 118 mins
R.R.P: (DVD) £15.99
RSS Feed