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Jack the Ripper

Jack the Ripper (1988)

October. 21,1988
|
7.5
| Drama Thriller Crime Mystery

Jack the Ripper was a 1988 two-part television movie/mini-series portraying a fictionalized account of the hunt for Jack The Ripper, the killer responsible for the Whitechapel murders of 1888. The series coincided with the 100th anniversary of the murders. Using historical characters involved in the genuine 1888 hunt for the killer, the film was written by Derek Marlowe and David Wickes

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lysa_chea
1988/10/21

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.

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adam-1009
1988/10/22

I've seen few movies about Jack the Ripper case and this is without any doubt the best of them, also one of the best criminal dramas ever. Opposite to other productions about one of the most famous killers in history creators of "Jack the Ripper" based on police files rather than legends and gossips (just to mention "From hell" with Johnny Depp or "Murder by decree" with Christopher Plummer).This created very unique image of clash of two worlds - poorly organized police force and psychopathic mind of the killer at the end of 19th century. We see inspector Abberline (played brilliantly by Michael Caine) struggle with the case that no one at his times would find simple.There are dozens of theories who Jack the Ripper really was and this movie covers most of them showing us all the suspects and until the end keeps waiting if identity of the killer will be revealed...This movie is simply masterpiece - entertaining (despite the main motive being really nasty), involving, great casting and beautifully handled by the director.

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Dianafan79
1988/10/23

It is very rarely that I rate something 10/10. However, after watching the DVD for the zillionith time today I can't describe how much I enjoy this production. Putting aside who you think Jack the Ripper was, 'Jack The Ripper' is lavish, colourful and lively, and easily beats some of the cinema's Jack The Ripper Films.Michael Caine is great as lead Detective, Abberline. Being from London himself he slipped easily into the role of the main Detetctive. I also like that it's hinted that he is a alcoholic. It's good to see in some scenes that he beats the temptation to dive into the bottle, even when the case gets really rough. Lewis Collins, as his sidekick, Godley was marvellous also and I don't know if the men got on in real life, but they certainly gelled together extremely well on the screen and their characters were close too. Lysette Anthony was a gem as Mary Kelly, and Susan George played Kathy Eddows with consideration and sensitivity.The Whitechapel set is brilliant and I love how they don't go OTT on the famous misty appearance as on none of the nights of the real murders was London covered in fog. It's very convincing and in fact, is superior to the set used for 'From Hell'. The costumes were accurate a joy to watch.I liked how the murders were treated with sensitivity, and the murder scenes were not over the top in gore.One aspect of the film that did not work well and which slowed the production down was the affair between Abberline and Emma Prentice (Jane Seymour) the official artists for the newspaper that was in the film, 'The Star'. I found the scenes not always unnecessary but it slowed the film down to a plod and it's hard to believe that a woman from the upper class such as Emma would even mix with someone like Abberline, let alone bed him which she did in the film, although thankfully it was only shown briefly.The whole drama was full of suspense and the ending, where a fake murder was set up was high in tension and on first viewing was excellent. You get a choice of four or five men who, just before this fake murder is due to happen, all leave their places of work dressed in dark clothes carrying parcels which could be the famous Gladstone bag that the Ripper supposedly kept his knives in. Each man is a potential Ripper, but when you see who the Ripper is, it's cleverly filmed so that you realise it was none of the men put forward as suspects.I would highly recommend this drama. It's four hours long or thereabouts but is very enjoyable. You can get two versions in the UK on DVD. A normal straight forward version, and one with extra's on. I'd go for the latter as it has a great lot of footage showing the production before Micheal Caine was hired when Barry Foster was Abberline.Over all a good, historical piece of drama. In my mind it far outweighs 'From Hell' which follows the same story line. If I had the choice of the two, (dispite Johnny Depp being in 'From Hell'), I'd choose Jack the Ripper every time.

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wriglee
1988/10/24

Hi all. In this film,the way they piece together the clues is just amazing! None of us really know what really happened in 1888,but i have watched this film,over,and over again,and i find it definitive. But,this was made before the discovery of 'The diary of jack the ripper'And thats another story! I love the cast in this 1988 film,it,s a sensible portrayal of a true mystery,and i rate this very high,(mistakes aside) If you look at the facts in this film,they REALLY do make sense!!!The coach theory,where there was a driver and a killer is very interesting,it might explain why not much blood was found at the murder scene! I,m glad this film cut out the gore,and concentrated on the mystery,this is a MUST for any ripperoligist! Excellent!

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