Eine Stadt sucht einen Mörder

The unsolved case of Jack the Ripper was largely exploited by movie industry, this British production sins a little bit when it offers a conclusion of the real killer, nonetheless brings to screen a decent version at Whitechapel's events with many authentic elements from those days, poorly enlightened narrow streets with dense fog from the chimneys, countless pubs, several burlesque theatre that was used as front to exploit prostitution and so on, here the picture expose a Doctor who asking revenge against Mary Clark who was the woman of an easy life and after discovered her past, Doctor's beloved son committed suicide, meanwhile he wandering for those streets looking for her, but ends up killing many women supposedly prostitutes, the Scotland Yard in charge of all enquires was under pressure to solve the case soon as can, the casting are almost unknown, although had a fine performance, anyway a fine movie restored from a copy found in France and insert another music score, on bonus material has many shoots cut off from the original with many nudes scenes, fantastic!!

Resume:

First watch: 2010 / How many: 1 / Source: DVD / Rating: 7.5

The serial killer known as Jack the Ripper is loose in London, 1888. As the police frantically search for the maniac through the East End smog, a whole bunch of suspects hone into view...

Murder by person or persons unknown.

Surprisingly little known, this Jack the Ripper picture belies its obvious budget limitations to produce an atmospheric and suspenseful piece. This is not in any way an accurate account of the actual story, so interested newcomers should be aware of that fact. It is basically an interpretation of Jolly Jack, a serial killer mystery to be solved.

There's plenty of cobbled streets and smog, dim gas lamps, top hats, tails and medical bags et al. The more severe parts of the story come with tilted camera perception, and the narrative embraces ladies of the night workings and vigilante justice. Which all builds to an absolute beaut of a finale.

Well worth a look by fans of Ripper period fare. 7/10

Maybe it was the black and white film,maybe the ending,don't know,I just liked this version the best so far.For a 50's flick it was bloody,but not as much as later versions.The story plot takes a twist toward the ending giving a different view of the killer and a ending leaving no questions.

In the 50s and 60s British film producers made 2 versions of their films.One the version that would be shown in UK cinemas and the other for more broadminded tastes the other side of the channel.So about half way through the film in the music hall the dancers have just finished the can can.They go back to their dressing room.They start talking in French ,with English subtitles,and all the dancers are undressed.This goes on for the next 5 minutes or so till the next murder.I have often pondered what happened to the continental versions and here some enterprising soul has cut the relevant scenes into the film.It certainly livens it up as it is not one of the better Ripper films,since it deals with it as a who dunnit.The final scenes with the lift though are the most effective part of the film.

Every once in a while one finds a film that is mostly mediocre but has one redeeming feature.

The bright spot of Jack the Ripper is it's beautiful lightning. Some B&W films are just gray when to me the beauty of it is in the strong contrast between light and shadow.

All in all this is a very easy film to like. It is beautifully naive in it's portrayal of it's sex murder topic yet at the same time it succeeds in making a powerful point about lynching mob attitude.

The characters are rather predictable and bland with one exception: the young American policeman visiting London. With his accent and idealism displayed under a greasy fifties Buddy Holly hairstyle (remember that this is a period piece set in the 19th century)he brings a nice cowboy twist to the legend of Jack the Ripper.