66 reviews
A very well presented, if historically inaccurate account
- rogermorgan119
- Oct 22, 2005
- Permalink
Brilliant reconstruction
Positive:
Negative:
- intense and atmospheric
- played very well
Negative:
- the film provides a killer, although the real case has never been clarified beyond doubt
- marioprmpi
- Jan 26, 2021
- Permalink
The best dramatization of Jack The Ripper's story ever...
This one may be the best dramatization of Jack The Ripper's crimes and of the researching' that were made. Since the case was never solved, the movie relies on the several hypothesis that were considered about the identity of the world's most famous serial killer. Believe me, they made a perfect script that keeps you on alert till the very last second. Although it was conceived as a TV mini-series you can watch it in one go (I mean, you'll WANT to watch it in one go). OK, the second time you watch it (when you already know who the killer is and stuff) obviously some thing won't get you by surprise, but the movie is good enough for being watched several times.
It was a TV production, but it is as good as if it was made for cinema: the setting is just wonderful and the cast is unbeatable (headed by master Michael Caine).
PS: It is pretty similar to "From hell", but much more addictive.
*My rate: 8/10
It was a TV production, but it is as good as if it was made for cinema: the setting is just wonderful and the cast is unbeatable (headed by master Michael Caine).
PS: It is pretty similar to "From hell", but much more addictive.
*My rate: 8/10
- rainking_es
- Jan 18, 2006
- Permalink
Made -for -TV works can also be great....
....When it achieves such perfection :lavish costumes,splendid settings,excellent performances (a topflight cast,with a wonderful Caine as the lead ,the beautiful Jane Seymour and all the others providing adequate support).It really brings us back in Victorian London and the screenplay features very clever ideas such as the introduction of Stevenson's "Doctor Jekill and Mr Hyde" (the scene on the stage is mind-boggling).If the telly made such gems every week,nobody would go to the movie theaters anymore.
- dbdumonteil
- Feb 22, 2004
- Permalink
Catch Me If You Can
Who cares if its deductions are accurate? Everyone's dead and we'll never know for certain. What matters is this story delivers you a culprit which owing to the official unsolved status, I didnt believe I would see until the last second. Very well done TV fare. If I have one criticism, it is the filming quality. On the interior and set shots, the camera work and lighting cast those pinkish hues off of phony scrubbed brickwork that betray a backlot and might confuse you into thinking you are watching an old Gunsmoke rerun. But rest assured, the story is powerful enough to make this quite insubstantial for a normal person. The performances are excellent. Michael Caine would be good doing tampon commercials, and the rest of the mostly English cast are all equally excellent. There are some truly frightening sequences. Asante's conversion into Mr. Hyde is the stuff nightmares are made of. The suspense at the climax deftly handled. Its quite long, and drags only a bit 3/4 through. But this is well worth anyone's time who has an interest in this most infamous of criminal investigations. Which puts it up just about everyone's alley doesnt it?
Excellently constructed telling of the story.
"For over 100 years the murders in Whitechapel committed by Jack the Ripper have baffled the World. What you are about to see is a dramatisation of these events. Our story is based on extensive research, including a review of the official files by special permission of the Home Office and interviews with leading criminologists and Scotland Yard officials."
Jack The Ripper is produced out of Euston Films and is directed by David Wickes who also co-wrote it with Derek Marlowe. Released to coincide with the 100 years anniversary of the murders, it stars Michael Caine (Frederick Abberline), Armand Assante (Richard Mansfield), Ray McAnally (Sir William Gull), Lewis Collins (Sgt. George Godley), Ken Bones (Robert James Lees), Susan George (Catherine 'Kate' Eddowes) & Jane Seymour (Emma Prentiss).
Originally released as a TV mini-series in the United Kingdom, Jack The Ripper has long since been available to view as a three hour ten minute movie. Every second of which is worth sitting thru. For his story Wickes uses actual historical characters that were involved in the 1888 hunt for the notorious killer. Drawing heavily from the Masonic/Royal Family conspiracy theory that has been used before in tellings of the story (notably the film Murder By Decree born out of Thomas E. A. Stowell's theory), Wickes boldly proclaimed to be revealing the true identity of the Ripper. Something that unsurprisingly he was forced to recant, but regardless of that, this is a glorious telling, meticulous in detail and providing much food for thought.
In amongst the grizzly murders and the fraught search for the killer by the exasperated police, Wickes' movie fully forms the other issues to hand. Such as the role of the press during this dark time and why was George Lusk leading vigilante's across Whitechapel? The Government and Royal Family aspects are given screen time because that's how high the issue went. The pressure on Abberline from his superiors is told in full, as the murders start to escalate and Abberline runs up against questionable assistance during the investigation, his anger grows. We are with him every step of the way. The prostitutes aren't merely Ripper fodder characters either, we at least meet them, understand them, even seeing the role of the "pimp" in Victorian England. It's good stuff, well researched.
Technically, for a TV movie, its production value is very high. Great sets that bring to life Victorian England (the exteriors were actually shot in Belper, Derbyshire), the costumes catch the eye and the cast are hugely effective. Particularly Caine (throwing himself into the role) and Assante (switching his character's emotional state regularly with consummate ease). We also get the chill factor too, something that's needed in a film of such dark thematics. As the street girls walk alone in dimly lit cobbled streets, the air of unease is palpable. Then a silhouette of the man with the hat, cloak and bag brings a cold shiver down the spine. Witness to the sequences involving the play Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a nice put in to the plot by the writers, and one that provides genuinely creepy moments. It's a top film that has so much going for it.
There will be other Jack The Ripper film's no doubt, and for sure more books will arrive proclaiming this and that is true. But with this take, if you buy into the theory or not, is probably as good as it gets for detail and execution of the material. 9/10
Jack The Ripper is produced out of Euston Films and is directed by David Wickes who also co-wrote it with Derek Marlowe. Released to coincide with the 100 years anniversary of the murders, it stars Michael Caine (Frederick Abberline), Armand Assante (Richard Mansfield), Ray McAnally (Sir William Gull), Lewis Collins (Sgt. George Godley), Ken Bones (Robert James Lees), Susan George (Catherine 'Kate' Eddowes) & Jane Seymour (Emma Prentiss).
Originally released as a TV mini-series in the United Kingdom, Jack The Ripper has long since been available to view as a three hour ten minute movie. Every second of which is worth sitting thru. For his story Wickes uses actual historical characters that were involved in the 1888 hunt for the notorious killer. Drawing heavily from the Masonic/Royal Family conspiracy theory that has been used before in tellings of the story (notably the film Murder By Decree born out of Thomas E. A. Stowell's theory), Wickes boldly proclaimed to be revealing the true identity of the Ripper. Something that unsurprisingly he was forced to recant, but regardless of that, this is a glorious telling, meticulous in detail and providing much food for thought.
In amongst the grizzly murders and the fraught search for the killer by the exasperated police, Wickes' movie fully forms the other issues to hand. Such as the role of the press during this dark time and why was George Lusk leading vigilante's across Whitechapel? The Government and Royal Family aspects are given screen time because that's how high the issue went. The pressure on Abberline from his superiors is told in full, as the murders start to escalate and Abberline runs up against questionable assistance during the investigation, his anger grows. We are with him every step of the way. The prostitutes aren't merely Ripper fodder characters either, we at least meet them, understand them, even seeing the role of the "pimp" in Victorian England. It's good stuff, well researched.
Technically, for a TV movie, its production value is very high. Great sets that bring to life Victorian England (the exteriors were actually shot in Belper, Derbyshire), the costumes catch the eye and the cast are hugely effective. Particularly Caine (throwing himself into the role) and Assante (switching his character's emotional state regularly with consummate ease). We also get the chill factor too, something that's needed in a film of such dark thematics. As the street girls walk alone in dimly lit cobbled streets, the air of unease is palpable. Then a silhouette of the man with the hat, cloak and bag brings a cold shiver down the spine. Witness to the sequences involving the play Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, a nice put in to the plot by the writers, and one that provides genuinely creepy moments. It's a top film that has so much going for it.
There will be other Jack The Ripper film's no doubt, and for sure more books will arrive proclaiming this and that is true. But with this take, if you buy into the theory or not, is probably as good as it gets for detail and execution of the material. 9/10
- hitchcockthelegend
- Apr 7, 2010
- Permalink
Nice try, but....
When I first saw this telemovie back in the late 1980s, I found myself wondering if the film makers actually believed the theory they were peddling. The DVD commentary makes it clear that they take it very seriously indeed, which somehow reduces the impact of the piece.
Taken as a blood and thunder melodrama, this is good fun. But as a recreation of London's East End in the 1880s, it leaves a great deal deal to be desired. The depiction of prostitution is particularly inaccurate. The Ripper's victims were not, on the whole, the good hearted floozies depicted here. They were alcoholic, washed out drabs, homeless and aimless. And the depiction of George Lusk as a left wing agitator is way off base.
No matter, its diverting entertainment. But its only real historical value lies in its depiction of the hysteria that the Ripper murders engendered in the population. If you believe the denouement, and the explanation of the Ripper's identity, drop me a line. I'd like to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.
Taken as a blood and thunder melodrama, this is good fun. But as a recreation of London's East End in the 1880s, it leaves a great deal deal to be desired. The depiction of prostitution is particularly inaccurate. The Ripper's victims were not, on the whole, the good hearted floozies depicted here. They were alcoholic, washed out drabs, homeless and aimless. And the depiction of George Lusk as a left wing agitator is way off base.
No matter, its diverting entertainment. But its only real historical value lies in its depiction of the hysteria that the Ripper murders engendered in the population. If you believe the denouement, and the explanation of the Ripper's identity, drop me a line. I'd like to sell you the Brooklyn Bridge.
A Bloody Good Movie !
I haven't seen many ripper movies out there that haven't been made with a fantasy aspect to them, "Time After Time" comes to mind, but this movie actually tells the story of the first serial killer and makes a murder mystery out of it. Depicted through the eyes of Inspector Abberline, played by the wonderful Michael Caine, this movie is actually supposed to be based on the re-opened files of the case in Scotland Yard and the research on them by today's for-most experts in Criminology. Whether that assertation is true or not is up to the viewer, but this movie does end with a fanciful theory and several fine performances by Jane Seymour, Armand Assante and others. The parallels and connections to the novel/play "Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" are creative, bold, and clever. The sets and scenery of the period are exquisite and actually add to the atmosphere of the movies. The killing recreations thankfully don't have the distaste of slasher films and the overall style reminds me of the Liz Montgomery movie, "The Legend of Lizzie Borden" which also like this movie masterfully created the incidents of an infamous crime in period costume and ended with a new hypothetical theory. Even without closure in either crimes, both cases continue to inspire creative movies.
- aesgaard41
- Feb 23, 2001
- Permalink
Thorough retelling of the story with plenty of atmosphere
- Leofwine_draca
- Aug 7, 2016
- Permalink
The best TV film of Jack The Ripper
Atmosphere. I need to start my review with that one word! Jack the Ripper was a made for TV mini series that aired 100 years after the original killing spree in Victorian London in 1888. What made this stand out when I first watched it back in the late 90s on a car-boot sale acquired VHS tape, was the atmosphere of old London portrayed in this film.
The script writing was fabulous, and gave the talented actors a chance to shine, and for the drama to play out over the full 3 hours run time.
We really get a sense of the era by watching this, and we feel for Caine as Detective Aberline in pursuit of the murderous ripper.
The film very cleverly makes Caine's character flawed and deeply troubled by making him an alcoholic, and making us wonder at first if he is up to the job of tracking down this maniac. I adore how there are so many suspects thrown at us, and some of these are written in a way that we think that they are red herrings, or perhaps not?
If you haven't already read the countless theories on who Jack the Ripper might be, then the suspect named in this film's conclusion may well surprise you.
However, if you do by now know who is who in the ever growing suspect list it won't add anything new or clever to it's conclusions. I might add that the only downside to this film is London's Whitechaple looks way too clean and smog free. Having said that, the sets and locations are all well done.
- adamtheactor-97677
- Oct 9, 2019
- Permalink
Last Friday June 20 Jack the ripper was free with the Irish Daily Mail
Last Friday June 20, Jack the ripper was free with the Irish Daily Mail.Not a bad DVD as a freebie and the transfer is spot on.I remember watching it on TV when it was first released. Yes Michael does ham it up but thats what he does. As a mini-series it has aged well, given that its 20 years old. On matters of the Ripper, "Murder By Decree" with Christopher Plummer as Holmes is the best of the bunch albeit that it is factional. The old deerstalker hat was never seen round whitechapel.Back to Jack the Ripper, the Jane Seymour character doesn't seem to serve any purpose apart from providing a love interest for Michael Caine. Lewis Collins is pretty good and Armand Assante is suitably bewitching as Mansfield the actor with his cape.
- brendangrehan-1
- Jun 25, 2008
- Permalink
Great Historical Production. More Cinematatic Then The Usual TV Drama
- Dianafan79
- Jun 22, 2007
- Permalink
High production values for a "made-for-TV", but ultimately, it lacks edge in the thrilling level, due to its own boundaries...
- DeuceWild_77
- Nov 7, 2017
- Permalink
Precious little "docu" in this docudrama
It would seem that the creators of "Jack the Ripper 1988" decided to capitalize on the enduring "Ripper" mystery, build a miniseries very loosely around some of the "Ripper" case facts, introduce their own characters and facts so as to make the protracted 3.5 hour watch endurable, and then peddled it to the public on commercial television with the usual musical crescendo, cliff-hanger punchline, and fade-to-black every 15 minutes or so. The result is a tedious, staged, theatrical, and not particularly interesting or entertaining film which has much less to do with "Jack the Ripper" history than it does with trying to make a buck off the small screeners. Only for those into "Ripper" stuff who are up for a long watch.
great
I hate to admit this, but I have always been fascinated with Jack the Ripper. I have probably seen every movie and special about his crimes and have read quite a few books as well. There have been many movies made on the case (one was directed by Alfred Hitchcock). My favorite was an episode of Boris Karloff's Thriller tv show called "Yours Truly Jack the Ripper". It was written by Robert Bloch the man who wrote Psycho. This miniseries was a delight to watch and Michael Caine gives a wonderful performance as Inspector Abberline. They do a great job of re-creating the horrid living conditions in the East End of London. The only let down for me was the way this film ended. I wont give it away but I was hoping they would be original about who our boy Jack really was. Instead, the theory they propose is an old one and I feel it is preposterous. Other then that, this is a great film and I wish that they would put it out on video.
Even better than "The count of Monte Christo" with Gerade!
Just great!
This is the best TV-production I have ever seen.
First time I saw it at the age of 8, it was awesome. But I could hardly remind.
I have just known that it was a well done movie with a great Atmospher and thrilling suspense.
I bought the film and my expectations were exceeded.
A movie which can take it on with Jack the ripper is "The count of monte christo" with gerade depardieu. It's a trilogy which is also god work.
This is the best TV-production I have ever seen.
First time I saw it at the age of 8, it was awesome. But I could hardly remind.
I have just known that it was a well done movie with a great Atmospher and thrilling suspense.
I bought the film and my expectations were exceeded.
A movie which can take it on with Jack the ripper is "The count of monte christo" with gerade depardieu. It's a trilogy which is also god work.
Timeless
This is a brilliant watch. Based around those notorious crimes in 1888. Brilliant screen play and a top top cast. The work of complete fiction around real historical events. It's a timeless masterpiece and is most likely the best ever Jack the Ripper story brought to the screen. Although the opening credits state that the story is based on extensive research and reviews of the official files from Scotland Yard, the theory this is actually based on was not brought into the public record until 1970's by Dr Thomas Stowell. It's one of the most far fetched outcomes as to the identity of Jack the Ripper. But still an amazing story brought to life by Michael Caine and the rest of the cast. Most certainly worth a watch.
- alion-80730
- Dec 9, 2022
- Permalink
Exceedingly long but generally engrossing
- gridoon2024
- Apr 25, 2017
- Permalink
Caine at his best
Michael Caine is truly brilliant in this outstanding mini-series. Despite the trappings of being a TV production, it transcends it's limitations and delivers a thrilling take on the infamous unsolved Jack the Ripper case.
Outstanding work from al involved.
Outstanding work from al involved.
Excellent Made for TV Jack The Ripper Story
This has to rate as one of the best of these 'mini' series dramas, and good old Michael Caine puts in one of his better performances of recent years. I've seen a few comments about the availability of this on DVD, well it has been released fully uncut in the UK on DVD. The DVD itself is worth looking out for as it really looks excellent, much better than VHS or TV, although Full Screen (but I suppose that's how it was made being a TV Movie).
- retrogames
- Sep 30, 2002
- Permalink
A marvellous production of the Jack the Ripper Story
Beautifully filmed, lavish costumes and a first class cast. Quite simply (despite a few continuity errors) one of the best versions of the Jack the Ripper story. I taped this when shown in two parts on ITV back in 1988 and I have just purchased a rare widescreen copy of the print.
Interestingly in the extras section on the DVD it has some footage of the original shoot on it with Barry Foster (Van Der Valk) as Inspector Abberline and Brian Capron (Grange Hill/Coronation St) as Sgt Godley - two excellent actors but the differences prior to American finance on the production is very notable.
The sets were different and some of the dialogue poorly delivered even though it was raw footage I can only describe the original shoot as rather amateur with a "Television play" feel to it as opposed to the full dramatisation.
The Caine/Collins version is superb even most of the supporting cast were well known actors.
I never tire of watching it and Ray McAnally was brilliant in the role of Sir William Gull what a pity it was one of his last screen roles.
Interestingly in the extras section on the DVD it has some footage of the original shoot on it with Barry Foster (Van Der Valk) as Inspector Abberline and Brian Capron (Grange Hill/Coronation St) as Sgt Godley - two excellent actors but the differences prior to American finance on the production is very notable.
The sets were different and some of the dialogue poorly delivered even though it was raw footage I can only describe the original shoot as rather amateur with a "Television play" feel to it as opposed to the full dramatisation.
The Caine/Collins version is superb even most of the supporting cast were well known actors.
I never tire of watching it and Ray McAnally was brilliant in the role of Sir William Gull what a pity it was one of his last screen roles.
Superb film names the most likely Jack the Ripper
The real identity of Jack the Ripper will probably never be known. The evidence is only circumstantial for the best of the many theories about who the mad killer of 1888 London was. Most of the theories could be discarded after thorough investigations. But, there is little likelihood that the world will ever know for sure the identity of the most notorious homicidal killer of all time. No eyewitness ever came forward. More than a century later there's little chance that any new evidence exists. And less chance even of finding it, if any does exist. So, the murder cases of Jack the Ripper will likely go unsolved forever.
But that won't stop sleuths from investigating or the curious from speculating. And more movies may yet be made about the subject. This 1988 British movie is from a TV mini-series. It has a conclusion and unmasks Jack the Ripper for the slaying of five women from Aug. 31 to Nov. 9, 1888. The writers supposedly assembled the best and the latest evidence to arrive at their conclusion.
The movie just touches on, but doesn't go deeply into the confusion that surely existed at the time over different players in the investigations. One wonders if a clue or two might not have been lost, misplaced or dismissed. In the confusion that surely existed with handling of the various cases between different units of the law, were all the clues, tips and pieces of evidence kept intact, shared among the law groups and passed on? Different people led various investigations from the London Metro police and from Scotland yard.
This film's conclusion is as logical and probable as any. The details of the murders are portrayed accurately. Likewise some of the other situations of the time - notably, the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee. The movie combines some of the investigators into the one primary and longest investigator, Detective Inspector Frederick Abberline. Michael Caine plays that role superbly. All of the cast give top performances.
The movie shows the extent to which London was all but mesmerized by the killings. It shows how frantic the efforts must have been by the law to find and bring the killer to justice. And, the film has excellent sets, costumes and other aspects that reflect the culture of the time. This is a nice historical film as well. Anyone curious about the legend should thoroughly enjoy this film.
While history may never reveal the real identify of Jack the Ripper, it's highly probable that this film's conclusion is right. It's logical and fits with the conditions of the killings, the start and end of them, and the real people alive at that time.
But that won't stop sleuths from investigating or the curious from speculating. And more movies may yet be made about the subject. This 1988 British movie is from a TV mini-series. It has a conclusion and unmasks Jack the Ripper for the slaying of five women from Aug. 31 to Nov. 9, 1888. The writers supposedly assembled the best and the latest evidence to arrive at their conclusion.
The movie just touches on, but doesn't go deeply into the confusion that surely existed at the time over different players in the investigations. One wonders if a clue or two might not have been lost, misplaced or dismissed. In the confusion that surely existed with handling of the various cases between different units of the law, were all the clues, tips and pieces of evidence kept intact, shared among the law groups and passed on? Different people led various investigations from the London Metro police and from Scotland yard.
This film's conclusion is as logical and probable as any. The details of the murders are portrayed accurately. Likewise some of the other situations of the time - notably, the Whitechapel Vigilance Committee. The movie combines some of the investigators into the one primary and longest investigator, Detective Inspector Frederick Abberline. Michael Caine plays that role superbly. All of the cast give top performances.
The movie shows the extent to which London was all but mesmerized by the killings. It shows how frantic the efforts must have been by the law to find and bring the killer to justice. And, the film has excellent sets, costumes and other aspects that reflect the culture of the time. This is a nice historical film as well. Anyone curious about the legend should thoroughly enjoy this film.
While history may never reveal the real identify of Jack the Ripper, it's highly probable that this film's conclusion is right. It's logical and fits with the conditions of the killings, the start and end of them, and the real people alive at that time.
Insultingly bad.
The usual sensationalist conspiracy theory hero cop story which bears little relation to reality. Just like a series like The Crown it doesn't really matter what's actually true as long as it's entertaining. Manufactured drama is added, the characteristics of key players are altered to fit the needs to the screen writer. Michael Caine is nothing like the man he portrays and just shouts his way through every scene. I guess a drama about a local madman who outwitted the police just wasn't good enough for the public. Stuff like this tells us a lot more about who we would like to have been the killer rather than real history.
Also since when was there a Bolshevik uprising in Whitechappel in 1888? The potrayal of George Lusk is a joke.
Also since when was there a Bolshevik uprising in Whitechappel in 1888? The potrayal of George Lusk is a joke.
My favourite Jack the Ripper movie
This version (out of many on the subject of Britain's most famous serial killer) is by far, my favourite.
I have studied Jack the Ripper for many years, read many books, seen many documentaries, and even been on the Jack the Ripper tour in Whitechapel, where I saw the actual murder sites.
The acting is first class from everyone involved (notably from Lewis Collins as Sgt. Godley, Steve Payne as Billy White and Amande Assante as Richard Mansfield), and the direction is first class.
There are only two things I didn't like about this:
1) The Killer's Identity - I just do not agree that he was Jack the Ripper.
2) Once again, the Prostitutes were portrayed as good looking showgirls, when in reality they were ugly, toothless old crones. (Only Mary Jane Kelly was attractive, and Lysette Anthony who played her in this film, bares a remarkable resembelance to the real Kelly).
It's a shame this movie is not available on video or DVD. I was fortunate enough to have taped it off the TV, and have kept it ever since.
For any budding Ripperologists out there, I would strongly recommend you see this. But I`ll leave it up to you, if you agree with who they say it was -- I certainly don't.
I have studied Jack the Ripper for many years, read many books, seen many documentaries, and even been on the Jack the Ripper tour in Whitechapel, where I saw the actual murder sites.
The acting is first class from everyone involved (notably from Lewis Collins as Sgt. Godley, Steve Payne as Billy White and Amande Assante as Richard Mansfield), and the direction is first class.
There are only two things I didn't like about this:
1) The Killer's Identity - I just do not agree that he was Jack the Ripper.
2) Once again, the Prostitutes were portrayed as good looking showgirls, when in reality they were ugly, toothless old crones. (Only Mary Jane Kelly was attractive, and Lysette Anthony who played her in this film, bares a remarkable resembelance to the real Kelly).
It's a shame this movie is not available on video or DVD. I was fortunate enough to have taped it off the TV, and have kept it ever since.
For any budding Ripperologists out there, I would strongly recommend you see this. But I`ll leave it up to you, if you agree with who they say it was -- I certainly don't.
jack the ripper
This is the best detective movie I've seen so far. It such a mystery and complicated crime to solve every plot every scene it making me nervous. This movie taught me that the most terified thing in this world is people. It the story that base on true story about an aspector trying to caught jack that murder lady at night by cutting them and the end he ripped and wrote aletter on wall ''jack the ripper'' after watching this movie it making me want to be an detective this case ''jack the ripper'' could not solve until nowsday it still in mystery case. I highly recommend thst you guy should watch this movie because it make you feel smart and you also solve the crime during watching the movie.