Jack the Ripper [Blu-ray] [Region B]

This ITV production from 1988 was a real ratings winner, and was watched by nearly eighteen million viewers. I was one of many who watched this gripping and tense psychological drama and it's one I will never forget. Being a massive fan of murder mystery, crime fiction and suspense thrillers; this television production from Granada Studios was a must-see. Also, I adore that Victorian period - adventure stories of Sherlock Holmes, novels of Charles Dickens, and of course, the infamous Jack the Ripper! I remember buying this on the VHS video cassette, but eventually the quality of the tape deteriorated and I had to throw it away. However, due to advances in audio and visual technology, and the introduction of the compact disc, old television programmes from yesteryear are looking and sounding better than ever before..... The Victorian scenery settings and costume designs are exquisite, and with a star-studded cast of the finest actors led by the great Michael Caine and Lewis Collins, ITV knew this drama production was a real winner! Michael Caine's performance was a truly outstanding piece of acting, playing the role of Scotland Yard's finest detective Frederick Abberline. With Michael Caine taking this lead role, he really does steal the show! Assisting him along the way, and putting in very strong performances, are Lewis Collins, Armand Assante, Susan George and many more well-established actors. With a running time of over three hours, the suspense and terror are delivered with perfect timing and combined with a chilling series of sounds, arriving at the precise moment for maximum effect, we are treated to a first-class, edge-of-the-seat thriller. Finally, I must also point out that this drama uses the most comprehensive research of old criminal case reports from the Scotland Yard archives. This makes ITV's portrayal of the Jack The Ripper story, the most accurate version to be televised yet. However, there are a couple of inaccuracies; most notably, Inspector Abberline's alcohol problem which never was. In addition, George Lusk was not a nasty piece of work, quite the opposite in fact. Despite these misrepresentations, this classic ITV drama makes for great viewing, and even though it's a quarter of a century old now, it has stood the test of time......... 9/10.

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.com should US customers like to purchase one. 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 WICKES WRITING CREDITS: DEREK MARLOWE & DAVID WICKES PRODUCER: DAVID WICKES ORIGINAL MUSIC BY JOHN CAMERON CAST: MICHAEL CAINE - CHIEF INSP. FREDERICK ABBERLINE ARMAND ASSANTE - RICHARD MANSFIELD RAY MCANALLY - SIR WILLIAM GULL LEWIS COLLINS - SGT. GEORGE GODLEY KEN BONES - ROBERT JAMES LEES SUSAN GEORGE - KATE EDDOWES JANE SEYMOUR - EMMA PRENTISS HARRY ANDREWS - CORONER WYNNE E. BAXTER LYSETTE ANTHONY - MARY JANE KELLY ROGER ASHTON-GRIFFITHS - RODMAN PETER ARMITAGE - SGT. KERBY DESMOND ASKEW - COPY BOY TREVOR BAXTER - LANYON MIKE CARNELL - NEWSVENDOR ANN CASTLE - LADY GULL DEIRDRE COSTELLO - ANNIE CHAPMAN JON CROFT - MR. THACKERAY ANGELA CROW - LIZ STRIDE KELLY CRYER - ANNETTE MARC CULWICK - PRINCE ALBERT VICTOR CHRISTIAN EDWARD JOHN DAIR - ISENSCHMID ROY EVANS - DOORKEEPER JOHN FLETCHER - P.C. WATKINS SHERIDAN FORBES - MILLIE HUGH FRASER - SIR CHARLES WARREN MARTIN FRIEND - NEWSVENDOR CHRISTOPHER FULFORD - SGT. BRENT BRUCE GREEN - PIZER RIKKI HARNET - PICKPOCKET RONALD HINES - HENRY MATTHEWS DENYS HAWTHORNE - ASSISTANT COMM. ANDERSON MICHAEL HUGHES - DR. REES LLEWELLYN PETER HUGHES - MR. PAULSON FRANK JARVIS - 1ST PASSERBY EDWARD JUDD - CHIEF SUPERINTENDENT ARNOLD GERTAN KLAUBER - LOUIS DIEMSCHUTZ JON LAURIMORE - INSP. JOHN T. SPRATLING MIKE LEWIN - DUTY GUARD ROD LEWIS - MORTICIAN GARY LOVE - DEREKCODE GEORGE MALPAS - OLD MAN ERIC MASON - PUBLICAN BERNADETTE MILNES - WOMAN IN DOORWAY JONATHAN MOORE - BENJAMIN BATES RICHARD MORANT - DR. THEODORE ACLAND T.P. MCKENNA - O'CONNOR JOHN NORMINGTON - DRESSER RONALD NUNNERY - DAVIS SANDRA PAYNE - MRS. ACLAND NEVILLE PHILLIPS - CABINET SECRETARY IAIN RATTRAY - DR. GEORGE BAGSTER PHILLIPS GEORGE SWEENEY - JOHN NETLEY DAVID SWIFT - LORD SALISBURY NORMAN WARWICK - RICHARDSON BRIAN WESKE - PORTER MICHAEL 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.

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.

Jack the Ripper is now a figure that has entered legend. Like Frankenstein's monster and Dracula, he has become an archetypal type of horror creature, but with one big difference: he definitely existed. In the dark and foggy London of the late 19th century, actually several prostitutes were barbarously murdered by an individual (or individuals) who has (or have) remained unknown to this day, and at this point will probably remain so forever. Not that there has been any lack of speculation in this almost century and a half about the identity of the 'father' of all serial killers. On the contrary, there have even been too many, the most popular of which (not necessarily the most plausible) even involved members of the royal family, and personalities of the nobility connected to them. In addition to starring in dozens of volumes of crime reports, he has appeared in countless short stories and novels that have retold his exploits while adding copious doses of fantasy. And of course, cinema and TV could not avoid dealing with the subject in their turn, giving in each of the many versions always different answers to the age-old question: who was Jack the Ripper? This particular version directed by David Wikes in 1988, exactly one hundred years after the actual events, was a real event for the BBC. A kind of television kolossal, starring very famous actors such as Michael Caine, Armand Assante, Lewis Collins and Jane Seymour, and presenting an accurate reconstruction of London at the time. The director also boasted of having been able to consult the archives of Scotland Yard for the occasion, arriving at the most likely identity of the monster thanks to the documents found. Over the years, this claim has receded somewhat and the answer given by the film has become just one of many possible truths. This, however, does not detract from the high quality of the show, which, supported by a compelling script, still manages after thirty-five years to emotionally engage viewers like few other things seen on TV. Highly recommended not only to 'ripperologists', as the passionate scholars of the subject like to call themselves, but also to simple lovers of a good thriller. They will not be disappointed.

ça y est, j'ai enfin pu mettre la main sur ce téléfilm! Depuis le temps que je le cherchais! Michael Caine est tout simplement parfait dans le rôle de l'inspecteur Aberline, enquêtant sur les meurtres du célèbre Jack The Ripper. Pour celles et ceux qui s'intéressent à la véritable historie de ce tueur, la thèse avancée à la fin du film sur l'identité du tueur a été contredite depuis mais aucune importance à mes yeux, ce n'est pas ce qui prime là. Ce téléfilm dure 3 heures mais franchement on ne les voit pas passer. Mention spéciale aux seconds rôles, qui jouent vraiment tous très bien.

I have waited along time for this DVD jack the ripper. I happen to see it on tv an enjoy it then..very well done from the actors to the period piece of the late 19th century England...there are flaws like the police badges that the number on the police badge is for another section of London not whitechappel. ....the movie has a idea who the ripper was an makes it very believable in their assumption ...i have over the years watch read and listen to theories about who they think the first publize serial killer was ..this movie with it superb. Actors(Michael Caine) is outstanding..goes a long way entertainment wise to proving their point

Kanske inte så rå som jag trodde den skulle va men Michael Cain gör en riktigt bra rollprestation. Kul att se den i 16:9 format med helbild. Bra bild och ljud.

UK NETWORK Label has given the 1988 TV broadcast of JACK THE RIPPER a new 2k scanned transfer and i tell you the new 2k scan looks amazing picture quality about 9.6/10 picture quality meaning No Grain no Dirt excellent colour restoration the sound mix has been upgraded aswell with a new 5.1 master mix and again the sound mix sounds excellent about 8/10 for SQ compare to the old Anchor bay dvd version which only had 5.1 dolby sound mix this new blu-ray reissue is 10 times better picture quality & sound quality Network label decided to give the fans 3 viewing experiences on this blu-ray reissue it's 2 disc set in plastic case, Disc 1 has the original 1:33:1 ratio 2 part TV broadcast as it was first seen on the old box TV back in 1988 except the transfers are 2k picture quality with 5.1 master mix there's also optional English subtitles of course EXTRAS on Disc 1 is the Barry Foster rough cut version which has additional American Funded production the picture quality is only Digital remaster quality in 1:78:1 ratio plus other extra is Image Gallery behind the scenes photos from the Production now Disc 2 is the again original Broadcast TV version but in widescreen 1:85:1 ratio also given 2k scanned PQ both parts have been edited together to be viewed as feature length film so you get 3 versions the 1:33: ratio with Black pillars on either side of the screen or the widescreen ratio 1:85:1, both are 2k scanned transfers anyway with same 5.1 master mixes and the same optional English subtitles, only difference is the screen ratios or the 3rd version the rough cut version, so 10 times better blu-ray reissue than the old Anchor bay dvd this new blu-ray is region B locked Discs so U.S fans will need all regions blu-ray player so time to scran the very old Anchor bay dvd and buy this new blu-ray reissue 100% worth buying