The Jack the Ripper murders. Sherlock Holmes lifts the veil of secrecy, corruption and terror at the heart of the throne of England itself. Clue by clue… Murder by murder…
Film Synopsis
Murder by Decree (1979) centers on Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they begin investigating the Whitechapel murders after public fear and police failure intensify across London. As witness testimony, political obstruction, and secretive organizations begin linking the killings to a broader institutional conspiracy involving powerful members of society, Holmes uncovers evidence suggesting the murders are being protected by figures connected to the British establishment. This British-Canadian mystery thriller examines corruption and institutional secrecy within a paranoid Victorian landscape, as authorities attempt to suppress the investigation, with political conspiracy, class division, and serial murder.
Murder by Decree 4K UHD, Blu-ray & DVD editions
See which disc extras are included across selected editions.
| Disc Extras | Kino BD-A 4K/US 2025 | Kino BD-A/US 2020 | Studio Canal BD-B/UK 2021 | Anchor Bay DVD-1/US/OOP 2003 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audio Commentary by Howard S. Berger and Steve Mitchell | ||||
| Audio Commentary by Barry Forshaw and Kim Newman | ||||
| Audio Commentary by Director Bob Clark | ||||
| Interview with Kim Newman | ||||
| Stills Gallery - Posters and Photos, Behind-the-Scenes | ||||
| Biography: Actor Christopher Plummer - Written by Avie Hern | ||||
| Biography: Actor James Mason - Written by Avie Hern | ||||
| Biography: Director Bob Clark - Written by Mark Wickum | ||||
| Theatrical Trailer | ||||
| Screenplay (“Sherlock Holmes and Saucy Jack”) |
Edition and Packaging Notes
- Kino’s 4K UHD includes a Blu-ray which is available separately (2025/06/10). Trailers included: And Soon the Darkness (1970), The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970), They Might Be Giants (1971), Murder on the Orient Express (1974), The Great Train Robbery (1978), The Silent Partner (1978), Evil Under the Sun (1982).
- Kino’s Blu-ray includes trailers for: The Private Life of Sherlock Holmes (1970), The Great Train Robbery (1978), The Silent Partner (1978) and Ordeal by Innocence (1984).
- Anchor Bay’s DVD includes a 12-page booklet with writing by Michael Felsher (“Jack the Ripper, I Presume – Or How a Fictional Detective Became a Real-Life Killer’s Greatest Foe”).
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Collector’s guide
Compare presentation quality and explore notable disc extras across selected editions.
| Editions | |
|---|---|
| Extras | Audio Commentary by Howard S. Berger and Steve Mitchell Kino BD |
| Audio Commentary by Barry Forshaw and Kim Newman Studio Canal BD | |
| Audio Commentary by Director Bob Clark Kino BD | |
| Interview with Kim Newman Studio Canal BD | |
| Stills Gallery - Posters and Photos, Behind-the-Scenes Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Biography: Actor Christopher Plummer - Written by Avie Hern Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Biography: Actor James Mason - Written by Avie Hern Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Biography: Director Bob Clark - Written by Mark Wickum Anchor Bay DVD | |
| Theatrical Trailer Kino BD | |
| Screenplay (“Sherlock Holmes and Saucy Jack”) Anchor Bay DVD |