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| Michael Caine and Lewis Collins |
JACK THE RIPPER (two-part mini-series/1988). Director: David Wickes.
In Whitechapel London in 1888, Scotland Yard Inspector Abberline (Michael Caine) is assigned to the case of the grisly murder of a young prostitute over the objections of the local constabulary. Abberline, who "tibbles" a bit too much, is partnered with the handsome Sgt. George Godley (Lewis Collins, who looks like something out of Gentleman's Quarterly.) As the murders continue, and "Jack the Ripper" sends a letter to the press, Abberline is concerned that the killer may be a member of the royal family.
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| Armand Assante |
Suspects include actor Richard Mansfield (Armand Assante), who is starring in a theatrical version of
Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde; clairvoyant Robert James Lees (Ken Bones), who allegedly has visions of the killer; Prince Albert Victor (Marc Culwick), who visits the fleshpots in Whitechapel; vigilante George Lusk (Michael Gothard of
Lifeforce), who stirs the populace up against the police; Sir William Gull (Ray McAnally), one of the queen's personal physicians; coachman John Netley (George Sweeney); and others.
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| Michael Caine pursues the Ripper |
I first watched this when it aired in 1988 and found it riveting; less so this time around, although it is still entertaining enough. The problem I have this time is that the alleged solution, which was touted at the time as being a brand-new theory but really wasn't, has since been discredited and the reputation of a perfectly innocent, indeed admirable, man has been besmirched. Michael Caine gives a dynamic performance --
too dynamic, as he seems to be ferociously chewing on the scenery in several segments, his character's anger and frustration notwithstanding -- Lewis Collins provides a more restrained and credible counterpoint to Caine/Abberline. I far more enjoyed the performances of such excellent players as Armand Assante (who is just perfect as Mansfield) and the amusingly-named Ken Bones as the psychic. There's a little too much of George Lusk in this story, although he is well-played by Gothard, and there are other good turns as well, especially from Jane Seymour as, I believe, a fictional artist named Emma. Susan George and Edward Judd are also in the cast but I didn't recognize either of them.
Verdict: Interesting take on Jack the Ripper -- employing mostly real-life characters -- as long as you recognize that the denouement is crap. ***.
