The Ripper is a 1997 Made-for-TV Movie written by Robert Rodat. directed by Janet Myers and starring Patrick Bergin, Gabrielle Anwar, Samuel West, Michael York, Andrew Couper and Essie Davis.
It is 1888, and London is in the grip of one of the most gruesome and mysterious crime sprees in history. Under extreme pressure from the Royal family, the head of Scotland Yard assigns its top man to the grisly case. Inspector Jim Hansen tracks a brutal killer in 1888 London while trying to protect the next victim.
No connection to the Tom Savini horror film of the same name.
Tropes:
- Been There, Shaped History: Florry Lewis is responsible for Jack the Ripper not mutilating the body of Liz Stride after he murdered (and, by extension, the second murder of the 'double event') when she witnesses the attack and screams "FIRE!", bringing others running and forcing the Ripper to flee.note
- Can't Tie His Tie: The film opens with Inspector Hansen agonising over how to properly tie his cravat for dinner with Sir Sharles at Sir Charles' Smoky Gentlemen's Club, and complaining that there are over a dozen different ways to tie a cravat; to the bewilderment of his assistant Sergeant Bell. Later, when Hansen confronts Prince Albert during a pheasant shoot, Albert looks at Hansen's cravat and tells him that a reverse Clarendon is really only appropriate in town and unties it before retying it in an ascot, which he says is much more appropriate for the country.
- Dramatic Drop: The milkman who discovers the butchered prostitute in the alley drops the jug of milk he is holding and shatters on the cobblestones, where the milk mingles with the blood.
- Epic Flail: Prince Albert attempts to kill Inspector Hansen by attacking him with a morningstar.
- Jack the Ripper: Another dramatization of the Ripper murders.
- Kick the Dog: Prince Albert lovingly brushes down and tends to the horse which threw him, them shuts and bolts the stall door and sets fire to the stall with the horse inside.
- Nightmarish Factory: Inspector Hansen chases the Ripper into a factory that seems to be doing nothing but belching out flame and steam.
- Self-Offense: Mistaking Inspector Hansen for Jack the Ripper, Mary tosses her coat over his head, tackles him to the ground and punches him several times; knocking out one of his teeth.
- Slashed Throat: The Ripper kills one of the policemen guarding Inspector Hansen's flat by slitting his throat.
- Smoky Gentlemen's Club: Sir Charles invites Jim to his club—The Benton Club—where he meets Prince Albert.
