Jack the Ripper (1988) (TV)

Director:

David Wickes

Writers:

Derek Marlowe (writer) and
David Wickes (writer)

Release Date:

21 October 1988 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

During the latter half of 1888 a notorious serial killer nicknamed Jack The Ripper terrorises the East...

Plot Keywords:

Murder | Prostitute | Jack The Ripper | Serial Killer | Newspaper

Awards:

Won Golden Globe. Another 1 win & 4 nominations

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

Runtime:

182 min (2 parts)

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Iceland:16 | Australia:M | West Germany:16 | UK:15 (original rating) (1988) | UK:15 (re-rerating) (2003) | UK:PG (re-rating) (2000)

Filming Locations:

Belper, Derbyshire, England, UK

Company:

Euston Films

Trivia:

Harry Andrews's last film.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Annie Chapman's body was never photographed at the murder site. Only a post-autopsy photograph of her head and shoulders exists.

Quotes:

[Chief Superintendent Arnold is complaining to Abberline about the press reports]
Abberline: I'm not responsible for the papers!
Arnold: No, you're responsible to me! And I want this case closed, Inspector!
Abberline: Yes, and why is that, Chief Superintendent? Mary Nicholls was a shilling whore. She wasn't killed for money, she didn't have any, her neighbours don't remember any enemies, and according to the doctor, she wasn't even sexually assaulted, yet somebody tore her to pieces in the streets!
Arnold: So find him.
Abberline: Do you want the killer, or will anybody do?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Cinemania: Oi pio diavoitoi dolofonoi: Alithines istories!" (2009)

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.