Jack the Ripper

Director(s) - Robert S. Baker (Black Out, The Hellfire Club) and Monty Berman (Melody Club, The Siege of Sidney Street)

Starring - Lee Patterson (Death Wish 3, The A-Team), Eddie Byrne (Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Island of Terror), and Betty McDowall (The Omen, Shades of Greene)

Release Date - 1959

Genre - Horror

Tagline - "Why were his victims always ladies of the night?"

Format - Bluray (Personal Collection) (Screener)

Rating (out of 5):

      True crime is extremely popular right now.  There is no short supply of podcasts, YouTube channels, documentaries, books, and so on.  People have always had an interest in the macabre with serial killers, unsolved murders, and mass shootings always drawing fascination from those who secretly find death fascinating.  One of the most popular unsolved true crime stories that has baffled investigators and left arm chair sleuths guessing is the Whitechapel Murders that was believed to be connected to the mysterious Jack the Ripper.  To this day this murder spree has not been solved but many believe it to be the work of a failed surgeon, a demented drunk, and even a rich businessman from the U.S.  There has been several films based on the murders and a few weeks back I was sent one for review from Severin Films.  Like always, I want to thank Severin for sending this one my way!

     The film follows Scotland Yard as they work every clue and angle they have  find the maniac that is mutilating working women on the streets of Whitechapel.  They get some help from a detective visiting from New York City but he finds himself sidetracked by a beautiful young woman who happens to be the daughter of a doctor who just happens to be absent during the murders.  

     Jack the Ripper isn't a memorable film or anything that changed cinema history.  The Whitechapel Murders are part of pop culture and was already infamous by the time this film was released.  Viewers knew how depraved the murders were and the film doesn't do them justice.   It's  rather tame even by late 50s standards but I still found myself enjoying it especially for a first time watch.  The acting in this one is a bit over dramatic at times but very well done.  Some of the scenes does a bit campy but nothing like you can find in more popular titles of the time.  I liked the characters and well the cast  found their footing in their roles.  The story for this one is a crime drama for the most part.  We do get a little romance and some character development that was unexpected but it does lack the horror and gruesome details that made the murders so infamous.  Finally, the film doesn't have the memorable deaths or terrifying moments that I was looking for.  Instead, the film focuses heavily on the characters and their interactions to get the story across.  Overall, Jack the Ripper is a solid late 50s crime drama that does not offer up anything new but is still enjoyable.  While I would have loved a bit more atmosphere and horror elements, it is still great as it is.  I highly recommend checking out this release from Severin.