Summary
- Jack the Ripper remains a cinematic mystery, with films exploring his gruesome killings and the identity of this elusive killer.
- Many adaptations of Jack the Ripper's story exist, from historical dramas to modern-day thrillers, each adding a unique twist.
- From silent films to animated features, the legacy of Jack the Ripper continues to captivate audiences with its dark and chilling narrative.
One of the most infamous real-life serial killers has been immortalized on the big screen in several Jack the Ripper movies. What makes this particular murderer so popular as a cinematic subject is that he was never caught in real life, and just disappeared one day without a trace - leaving his identity a mystery. Jack the Ripper was a serial killer who terrorized the Whitechapel district of London in 1888. He evaded police despite killing multiple sex workers and performing ghastly mutilations. Over the years, this evil killer's story has been adapted many times on the small and big screens.
The last documented Jack the Ripper murder took place in 1891, and the movies started coming almost as soon as they became popular in theaters. No less than Alfred Hitchcock directed one of the earliest movies about Jack the Ripper when he was still making silent-era films. His movie, as many others were, was based on the 1913 novel by Marie Belloc Lowndes called The Lodger, which was based on the Whitechapel Murders. Whether a story about the original Jack the Ripper killings, or copycat killers, there are plenty of great Jack the Ripper movies for people interested in this evil historical figure.
Penny Dreadful: How Jack The Ripper Connects To The Original Show
The original Penny Dreadful series drew from many elements of Victorian London's history, including the notorious serial killer, Jack the Ripper.
15 Jack The Ripper (1988)
Michael Caine Investigates The Ripper Murders
- Not available to stream
There have been several movies simply titled Jack the Ripper and one of them stars cinema icon Michael Caine. The veteran actor starred as Chief Inspector Frederick Abberline, the Scotland Yard detective tasked with bringing down the serial killer haunting the streets of London. The movie makes this more of a detective story, with Abberline teaming up with his partner and dealing with a tabloid journalist who seems to be stirring up trouble.
There is even a man arrested, but the authorities covered it up, explaining the change from the real-life mystery. Released in two parts on British television, Jack the Ripper earned an Emmy nomination and two Golden Globe nominations. It should also be noted that this movie arrived 100 years after the original Jack the Ripper was killing people in London, and that can't be a coincidence. The film theorized that The Ripper was Sir William Gull, who served as the physician for Queen Victoria, and his crimes were covered up as a result.
DID YOU KNOW: in real life, the authorities do not know the exact number of Jack the Ripper's victims. He was never captured, so the official number remained as five women.
14 Jack The Ripper (1976)
Klaus Kinski Is A Doctor Who Is Killing As Jack The Ripper
- Stream now on Tubi
A movie titled Jack the Ripper was released in 1976 with the iconic Klaus Kinski starring as the serial killer. Unlike many films about the killings, this one is not about Detective Abberline seeking out the killer. Instead, this is a German thriller about Jack himself, who in this case is a doctor named Dennis Orloff. Directed by the prolific Spanish filmmaker Jesús Franco, the movie changes a lot of history and has a detective's girlfriend go undercover to attempt to catch the killer in the act.
In the end, this is a mostly fictional version of the Jack the Ripper case, with the only similarity being that The Ripper is killing people in London during the same era. The movie also tries to explain the Ripper's actions by making his mother a prostitute and this is his way of paying her back for her abuse. Those fans familiar with Franco's work might be surprised at the quality of the movie, as he received a much larger budget and it shows here, making this one of his more polished movies.