Jack the Ripper

This is one of my all time favorite movies and I've watched it several times over the years. I'll first give some notes about the only current blu-ray version which offers English or German language options only.IMPORTANT NOTE:The only blu-ray version of this movie that currently exists is a Region B German release, so it cannot be viewed on US players.NTSC/PAL 'all region' blu-ray players are available on Amazon should US customers like to purchase one.I bought this blu-ray movie from Amazon UK because the total price is currently cheaper than buying from Amazon US.Viewers can watch the movie & bonus features in either English or German.Considering this was a 1988 made for TV movie, the audio and video quality are very good.BLU-RAY BONUS FEATURES:Some of the blu-ray extras are also found on previous DVD releases. By far, the best bonus feature on this blu-ray is the audio commentary by David Wickes with researcher Susan Davies and journalist Johnathon Sothcott. Susan Davies did 4 years of extensive research on Jack the Ripper and this movie runs along the lines of a particular theory as to who Jack might actually have been, though no one knows for certain and we will probably never know his identity.There is also a 'Deleted Scenes' extra, but this mostly looks like rehearsal material so in my opinion is not really worth watching a second time. These have Barry Forster as Inspector Abberline, before Michael Caine was finally selected to play that role.For those unfamiliar with Jack, there is a 'Documentation' extra that briefly recounts the actual events that took place in London, 1888.It really would have been nice to include actor interviews and commentary as extra features, and this will hopefully be done on future blu-ray releases.THE MOVIE:Jack the Ripper was released in 1988 to mark the first centenary of the original events. It was first aired in the US as a 2 part TV mini-series. The movie length is 189 minutes.It stars Michael Cane in the lead role as Chief Inspector Frederick Abberline of Scotland Yard and Armand Assante as American actor Richard Mansfield playing the lead in the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde premiere at the Lyceum theatre. Both of these performers were excellent, and I thought all of the players were quite good except for Michael Gothard who over-played the role of Lusk, maybe because that script could have been better and more accurately written to protray the actual Mr. Lusk rather than this hyped up movie version.The story recounts the murder of 5 prostitutes and the hunt for Jack the Ripper. It is not always factually accurate and does employ 'dramatic license' several times to appeal to audiences, but it is a great movie nonetheless. Director/Producer David Wickes and his crew did an excellent job on this film. The cinematography, realistic Victorian settings and costumes are excellent.In 1989, Michael Caine won the Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV, and Armand Assante was Nominated for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV. The movie was also Nominated for Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV.Release Date: 21 October 1988 (USA)DIRECTED BY DAVID WICKESWRITING CREDITS: DEREK MARLOWE & DAVID WICKESPRODUCER: DAVID WICKESORIGINAL MUSIC BY JOHN CAMERONCAST:MICHAEL CAINE - CHIEF INSP. FREDERICK ABBERLINEARMAND ASSANTE - RICHARD MANSFIELDRAY MCANALLY - SIR WILLIAM GULLLEWIS COLLINS - SGT. GEORGE GODLEYKEN BONES - ROBERT JAMES LEESSUSAN GEORGE - KATE EDDOWESJANE SEYMOUR - EMMA PRENTISSHARRY ANDREWS - CORONER WYNNE E. BAXTERLYSETTE ANTHONY - MARY JANE KELLYROGER ASHTON-GRIFFITHS - RODMANPETER ARMITAGE - SGT. KERBYDESMOND ASKEW - COPY BOYTREVOR BAXTER - LANYONMIKE CARNELL - NEWSVENDORANN CASTLE - LADY GULLDEIRDRE COSTELLO - ANNIE CHAPMANJON CROFT - MR. THACKERAYANGELA CROW - LIZ STRIDEKELLY CRYER - ANNETTEMARC CULWICK - PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR CHRISTIAN EDWARDJOHN DAIR - ISENSCHMIDROY EVANS - DOORKEEPERJOHN FLETCHER - P.C. WATKINSSHERIDAN FORBES - MILLIEHUGH FRASER - SIR CHARLES WARRENMARTIN FRIEND - NEWSVENDORCHRISTOPHER FULFORD - SGT. BRENTBRUCE GREEN - PIZERRIKKI HARNET - PICKPOCKETRONALD HINES - HENRY MATTHEWSDENYS HAWTHORNE - ASSISTANT COMM. ANDERSONMICHAEL HUGHES - DR. REES LLEWELLYNPETER HUGHES - MR. PAULSONFRANK JARVIS - 1ST PASSERBYEDWARD JUDD - CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT ARNOLDGERTAN KLAUBER - LOUIS DIEMSCHUTZJON LAURIMORE - INSP. JOHN T. SPRATLINGMIKE LEWIN - DUTY GUARDROD LEWIS - MORTICIANGARY LOVE - DEREKCODEGEORGE MALPAS - OLD MANERIC MASON - PUBLICANBERNADETTE MILNES - WOMAN IN DOORWAYJONATHAN MOORE - BENJAMIN BATESRICHARD MORANT - DR. THEODORE ACLANDT.P. MCKENNA - O'CONNORJOHN NORMINGTON - DRESSERRONALD NUNNERY - DAVISSANDRA PAYNE - MRS. ACLANDNEVILLE PHILLIPS - CABINET SECRETARYIAIN RATTRAY - DR. GEORGE BAGSTER PHILLIPSGEORGE SWEENEY - JOHN NETLEYDAVID SWIFT - LORD SALISBURYNORMAN WARWICK - RICHARDSONBRIAN WESKE - PORTERMICHAEL GOTHARD - GEORGE LUSK (UNCREDITED)David Wickes later went on to make a Jekyll and Hyde movie starring Michael Caine, and that is also something you may want to check out.

First off, I did see Johnny Depp's "From Hell" (2002). While I did like that version, it concentrated more on horror than history. This version with Michael Caine is more historical. Obviously, no one will ever know the full truth behind Jack the Ripper. However, if the theories in Michael Caine's movie are true, they certainly explain many things. (Why Jack was never identified, why Jack was never caught in the act, why Jack did what he did, etc.) This movie is about 4 hours long, but it is NEVER BORING. Even with only 5 murders for a 4 hour movie, the suspense rarely drops. Interestingly, as in history, there are 5 murders. Yet, the blood and effects are really controlled. (Some directors seem to know that blood in itself is not a scary thing. Rather, the story that surrounds the murders is the more important element. Even more so, excess blood only makes things look unrealistic if not laughable.) Comic relief and misleads are well placed. Another thing I can say about this movie is that we get to know the misleads a bit, and at times even feel sorry for them. Interestingly, this movie cleverly avoids the simple formula of good guy versus bad guy. Scotland Yard and the local police are both trying to stop Jack the Ripper. But do they work together well? Certainly not often! I can't say too much without ruining the story. However, I can say in 4 hours or so, not one moment of the movie is wasted time. Perhaps some of you will feel that Jack the Ripper is the star of this movie. Alright. Maybe he is. But of Michael Caine as the Scotland Yard Inspector trying to put an end to Jack the Ripper's reign of terror, Caine's performance is nothing short of PHENOMENAL. Unlike the fake Hollywood heroes, Michael Caine as Inspector Fred Abberline portrays a realistic hero. He has faults. (He is an alcoholic.) He goes through frustration and rages. At times, he makes jokes. While attentive to his duties, he also has to deal with his ego. (He wants to beat the local cops to Jack the Ripper.) He makes mistakes. (He is brutal with innocent parties at times.) He goes through personal disappointments. (A shattered relationship.) But like a true Charles Dickens hero, he rises above his faults, eventually puts certain grudges behind him, and rises to the occasion of facing Jack the Ripper himself! This movie can make one wonder if Michael Caine deserves a place in history almost on the same level as Sir Laurence Olivier. Hopefully, this movie will be available on dvd and vhs soon. If you like Michael Caine in this, you may also wish to check him out as Alfred in the recent "Batman Begins." "Noises Off" shows a great comical side of Michael Caine. He was also an impressive Scrooge in "The Muppets' Christmas Carol." I'll conclude by saying that Johnny Depp's portrayal of Inspector Fred Abberline in "From Hell" is certainly worth looking at. But Michael Caine's movie is probably the more historically accurate.

Title of review says it all. Comes on two discs part 1 and 2. About 2 hours each. Captures Victorian era London very well and engrossing story that explores one of the ACTUAL suspects in the Jack The Ripper killings. Very well done. Perfect watch for a rainy fall weekend.

Originally broadcast in 1988 to coincide with the centenary of the infamous Whitechapel murders, 'Jack The Ripper' is an atmospheric and highly enjoyable two-part miniseries that remains the best and most well-rounded screen version of the story to date.Michael Caine delivers one of his finest performances as the troubled, but brilliant Inspector Frederick Abberline, and is ably assisted by Lewis 'Bodie' Collins as Sgt Godley, plus an excellent supporting cast including Jane Seymour, Armand Assante and future 'Poirot' star Hugh Fraser. Considering the subject matter, 'Jack The Ripper' features relatively little blood and gore, instead focusing on the investigation into the murders. In fact, the only truly disturbing scenes concern a stage actor's scary transformation from Dr Jekyll into Mr Hyde! The period costumes are excellent and, combined with the authentic looking sets and locations used, make for a very believable Victorian Whitechapel.For viewers unfamiliar with the case, 'Jack The Ripper' is not only a great period drama, but a very enjoyable whodunnit, which makes effective use of the "everybody's a suspect" device. Those well versed in Ripper lore will know who the culprit is long before the end, but will still be thoroughly entertained by Abberline and Godley's quest to unmask the killer. Highly recommended.

Thorough period drama. The film is split into two parts and is lengthy. It is rich in period detail and the killings are covered in graphic detail mirroring the original photography of the period. Michael Caine is superbly cast as the detective in a role similar to his 'Jekyll And Hyde' film also by the same director. The identity of the notorious 'Jack The Ripper' is revealed and will be a surprise to thos who watch it fully. The plot follows the story of a Victorian detective who tries to solve the mystery behind a series of killings in London's Whitechapel district.

I have to concur with other reviewers who have thoroughly enjoyed this film. The period detail appears authentic, all the cast deliver good performances, in particular Michael Caine, who puts some real oomph into his role as Inspector Abberline and the structure of the film kept my attention much more than I was expecting. The ending is quite plausible as well although there will be those who disagree of course. The horror sequences were just right: a bit gory but nothing over the top or gratuitous. I did spot a couple of minor holes in the story but they did not detract from my enjoyment of film. The film is introduced by Patrick Allen, the actor who was so renowned for conveying in his voice the thrill of impending excitement; he also reads a brief statement at the end. It gave the film a certain gravitas. This film won't blow your socks off but it is good solid entertainment.

Jack the Ripper. It's a name that has echoed through the last century. The savagery of the crimes and the fact he was never identified has ensured that the name will forever be synonymous with evil and the unknown terror that lurks in the dark.This rather interesting drama details the crimes, the police hunt of the time and the effect that it had on the nation, from the highest in the land to the common folk. It follows the story from the point of view of Fred Abberline, the Scotland Yard detective leading the hunt for the killer. Michael Caine takes the lead role and puts in one of his better performances of the time, giving us a believable character and showing the man behind the legend very nicely. He ably assisted by Lewis Collins as his tough yet intelligent and sympathetic sidekick. There are a whole host of great British character actors, such as Harry Andrews, George Sweeney, T.P. McKenna, David Swift and Hugh Fraser, who help to bring the myriad of different characters to memorable life.Using all the available Scotland Yard files, the script reconstructs the crimes and the hunt, then goes off into the realms of speculation as it unveils a possible killer. But this is no dry documentary, it is a great drama that looks at the way the crimes shook society, used by social agitators to stir up revolution, and shaking the establishment, from the Government to the Royal family, to the core. It looks at the effect that the thought of a killer stalking the streets had on society, with people afraid to go out in the streets, to lynch mobs out to get anyone they thought looked slightly suspicious. It shows how fragile Victorian London society really was, and exposes a lot of the hypocrisies in the attitudes of the overclass to the commoners. With a decent script and so many good actors, this makes for three hours of enthralling drama.This DVD contains both episodes as shown on TV, in 16.9 widescreen. The sound is, I think stereo. There has been little or no remastering of picture or sound, and there are some scratches and pops as a result. Both are, however, adequate. There are no extras. All in all a 4 star production.

I vaguely remember this adaptation for tv and wanted to fill in the gaps.Michael Caine plays a ‘shouty’ Abberline, Lewis Collins plays a ‘smoother’ assistant, Godley.There’s a focus on the concept of good and evil in the same person, with references to Jeckyll and Hyde, and you can see these traits in a few of the suspects.Because the identity of the Ripper was never concluded, I felt that the ending could have been open-ended, rather than revealing a version of events that didn’t happen.A great film for a dark, murky evening; the tension heightens towards the end.