Murder by Decree 4K 1979

Having watched a huge, literally speaking, 'astronomical' number of screenings, TV plays, series based on the 'immortal' works of the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle about the adventures of the undying, one-of-a-kind 'detective-consultant' Sherlock Holmes, I was beginning to catch myself on the thought that it is no longer possible for American and other 'movie moguls' of world renown to create something original, something different from the previous creations and something more meaningful from this universe.

But relatively recently, digging through the archives of 'forgotten movie classics' I came across a remarkable creation by American director Bob Clark, best known for his work on the cult slasher 'Black Christmas' and the hilarious youth comedy of the early 80s - 'Porky's' - a kind of variation on the Conan Doyle classic - 'Sherlock Holmes : Murder By Order'.

So, London, Victorian England of the late 19th century, a group of citizens appeal to Holmes and his irreplaceable colleague Dr. Watson with a request to stop the bloody deeds of a maniac who has stirred up the whole city - Jack the Ripper, investigating this case, the heroes learn that in these heinous crimes are involved not just criminals, but the most real monsters in human guise from the government heights.

Of course, the plot of this picture may seem typical for 'Sherlockian' scenarios, but do not be fooled - behind the unassuming literary treatment is not just an adventure detective, but a great psychological thriller with a sharp social subtext on the problems of the 'upper classes' of society. In it the vices of those who manage these 'tops', who for the sake of power and old traditions of the Masonic society to which they belong are ready to make bloody sacrifices, to kill for the sake of monarchy, are pointed out in a stunning and vivid way. As Holmes said in the movie:

You have formed an alliance of loyalties that are greater than your loyalties to the people. They are indifferent to you. You don't understand their pain. That's where the madness is.

A separate word deserves a magnificent image of Sherlock Holmes, created by Christopher Plummer, yes, it is not that cold-blooded, eternally calm Rathbone's Holmes or ironic, somewhat sarcastic-comic image of Livanov, but Plummer's detective differs from his other prototypes by more deep, personal character, his sensual, human and emotional role, although not quite fitting into the strict detective canon established by Doyle, but this role only honors the talented Canadian actor, perhaps one of his best and strongest roles after The Sound of Music, The Return of the Pink Panther, The Inner World of Daisy Clover and Mind Games.

The legendary James Mason as Watson is also interesting, although his role is not as colorful as Plummer's.

It is also worth mentioning the wonderful musical accompaniment, which successfully suited the atmosphere of the movie.