Predrag This is without doubt the best rendering of the story of Jack the Ripper on screen. Other attempts have been made since, and they have their qualities too. But this version gives a very accurate picture of London at the time, and very convincing characters, all the more so because their behavior does not remind the viewer of fashionable television clichés which turn up only too often in films where Hollywood interferes. The film itself is well acted (Michael Caine is excellent) and I found it still (20 years after its initial release) a quite entertaining retelling of the Jack the Ripper story. There is obvious artistic license (as this is a film and not a documentary) but for the most part real case names, events and hypotheses were used. I liked this version quite a lot since the main focus is on actual investigation and its 'authentic' world of East London was fascinating.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. This is an excellent production, long enough to split over two evenings, but short enough to watch in one go too (just over three hours). It is very realistic, but also very entertaining, which is what most films and series are for.Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

rose-294 Yes, one of the best versions of Jack the Ripper, thanks to the gorgeous production values, wonderfully entertaining script and so much atmosphere it could be cut with Jack's knife. Score which ranges from the pseudo-Victorian grandeur to the thrilling spookiness is also a plus. Only problems come in the moral sense. First, Sir William Gull was not the Ripper. He was an old, paralyzed man and THERE IS NOT ANY EVIDENCE to tie him with the murders. Also, the film's "psycho-logy" and lack of understanding when mental illness is concerned (psychosis is supposedly the motive behind crimes of Jack) belongs in the Whitechapel sewer.

Dianafan79 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.

tes1 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.