Is Jack the Ripper Treasure or Trash?
Blu-ray Distributed By Severin / January 15, 2019
In 1959, legendary showman Joseph E. Levine unleashed this grisly UK thriller on American moviegoers. But when audiences were horrified by the film’s startling violence, graphic nudity and bloody Technicolor climax, it became one of Levine’s most notorious failures. Today – in its notorious UK cut and the American version with a brassy new score – it remains among the most underappreciated and provocative shockers of its time. Eddie Byrne (THE MUMMY), Lee Patterson (TV’s SURFSIDE 6) and John Le Mesurier (DAD’S ARMY) star in this lurid classic produced/directed by Robert S. Baker & Monty Berman (BLOOD OF THE VAMPIRE) and written by Hammer Films’ legendary Jimmy Sangster (THE CURSE OF FRANKENSTEIN, HORROR OF DRACULA) that FilmFracture.com calls “the perfect combination of murder mystery and horror film with just the right amount of lovely ladies!”
Jamie’s Take 
(3.5 / 5)
While this British film is one of the first adaptations, the Jack the Ripper storyline was first presented in the German film Waxworks in 1924 followed by Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger in 1927. While both films are very loosely based on the killings in Whitewash, Jack the Ripper may be the first loyal adaptation of the notorious murderer.
Set in London in 1888, the film opens with a bang as Jack takes his first victim immediately before the credits even start. This opening hook is rather great and it pulls the viewer into what could be a fast-paced thriller as the body count has already started.
While on leave, American detective Sam Lowry (Lee Patterson) joins his friend Inspector O’Neill (Eddie Byrne, who some will recognize as General Willard in the original Star Wars) in tagging along, trying to help Scotland Yard solve these heinous crimes which has now caused an uproar with the London citizens. Many of the locals are at their breaking point, criticizing the police for not being able to capture the killer even going so far as inciting mob justice and accusing others as being the killer.
Sam does become smitten with Anne Ford (Betty McDowell from The Omen) the daughter of Dr. Traner (John Le Mesurier) who does not care for his daughter to be around a foreigner and someone who seems “brash”. As their romance flourishes, the killings continue and the movie presents to the viewer several red-herrings which I rather enjoyed as the film never quite gives away who the killer can be: Is it Dr. Traner? Sir David Rogers, the man who does the autopsy’s? The mute, disfigured hunchback who is Sir David Roger’s assistant?
Where the film does start to falter is when the movie shifts focus to a naive burlesque dancer who is oblivious to what goes on behind the scenes at where she works. She is somewhat coaxed in having a drink with a lord who tries to take advantage of her before she runs out into the night, only to meet Jack and alas, meet her demise. This long build up to this woman’s death seems overlong and rather dull as barely any of the main characters the film has already established are even in this sequence. It almost feels like filler, as if added in at the last moment.
Jack the Ripper does end in an exciting climax with the killer meeting a gruesome death which apparently had to be cut by U.K. censors before it was released (the original ending is shown in the special features). While really tame now, audiences were not yet ready apparently for this death sequence. It’s hard to believe that only one year later, Psycho was released which far surpasses Jack the Ripper in terms of on-screen violence.
Now we have praised Severin Films many, many times on Trashmen and some may think we are biased in our reviews but I’m sorry, they are the best when it comes to restoration and providing a wide range of special features which gives fans a bang for their buck. So excuuuuuse me for praising Severin and yes, I’m doing it again. Severin’s blu ray release of Jack the Ripper kicks ass.
Presented are TWO versions of the film, the original UK version and the U.S. version which has alternate opening credits along with a different score and the “color sequence” at the end. There are the deleted scenes which I have mentioned above that contain more violent moments that had to be trimmed along with several sequences of bare breasts. I am kind of shocked the directors (Robert S. Baker and Monty Berman) even filmed these nude sequences as there was no way these scenes had any chance being shown in theaters. Contrary, it was shown in other countries that don’t flip out every time a set of chesticles are exposed.
There is a very informative audio commentary by Baker (he sounds ancient) screenwriter Jimmy Sangster, and A.D. Peter Manley who all discuss the making of the film and certain ideas they did to make this film different from other thrillers. There is a featurette on the “real” Jack the Ripper and an interview with author Denis Meikle that are quite entertaining and worth a look as well.
If anyone is going to complain, it would be because of the transfer. Once again I am going to stick up for Severin as they did their best in presenting both versions the best they could however the film was apparently never preserved properly and the original negative is so worn out and in such poor condition that the two versions are riddled with film damage. The U.S. version looks a little better, simple because it is accurately framed (1:66:1) and looks a tad brighter in spots. This may turn some viewers off, expecting to see any film on blu ray in perfect condition.
Jack the Ripper is a decent thriller with a great cast (two cast members were even in the great The Hound of Baskervilles which we reviewed here). I thought the film was also well directed with some style to it and I could even see myself giving Jack the Ripper a higher rating if it wasn’t for that sluggish 2nd act where the film suddenly slows to a crawl. I think you all will like this film and won’t want to turn Jack off (I couldn’t help myself).
Hidden Treasure/Dumpster Fire?
Jamie says: Hidden Treasure!
| Jamie's Take: |  (3.5 / 5) |
| Blu-ray Extras: |  (4.0 / 5) |
| Average: |  (3.8 / 5) |
Special Features:
- British Version
- US Version
- Audio Commentary With Co-Director/Co-Producer/Co-Cinematographer Robert S. Baker, Screenwriter Jimmy Sangster, Assistant Director Peter Manley, Moderated By British Horror Historian Marcus Hearn
- Alternate Continental Takes
- Interview With Denis Meikle, Author of “Jack The Ripper: The Murders And The Movies”
- The Real Jack the Ripper Featurette
- Theatrical Trailer
- Poster & Still Gallery
