Jack the Ripper Blu-ray - Michael Caine

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S E A R C H D V D B e a v e r

Directed by David Wickes
UK USA 1988

In 1888, a reign of murderous terror struck East London. To this day, the case is unsolved. And the killer is known only by his infamous nickname. But the truth may at last have been found. Based on breakthrough research at the time it was made, this gripping “what if” suggests who wielded the surgically sharp blade of death – and why his identity has been concealed. Michael Caine plays Scotland Yard’s Frederick Abberline and heads a large, flawless cast (including Armand Assante and Jane Seymour) in a movie cloaked in mystery and wrapped in period detail. Was the killer a noted doctor? A famed actor? A police commissioner, clairvoyant or even the Crown Prince? Each raises Abberline’s suspicions. Each merits investigation in this gripping whodunit.

Video Cover

Broadcast date: October 28th, 1988

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Comparison:

Warner Archive - Region 0 - NTSC vs. WVG - Region 'B' - Blu-ray

Box Cover		Issued on Blu-ray in the UK in May 2024:
Distribution	Warner Archive - Region 0 - NTSC	WVG - Region 'B' - Blu-ray
Runtime	1:39:51 + 1:37:15	1:36:18.400 + 1:33:23.280 (PAL timing)
Video	1.33:1 Aspect Ratio Average Bitrate: 5.54/5.44 mb/s NTSC 720x480 29.97 f/s	1.78:1 - 1080i Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 45,317,777,627 bytes Feature: 22,437,974,016 bytes + 21,528,864,768 bytes Video Bitrate: 24.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video
	NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:
Bitrate:
Bitrate: Blu-ray
Bitrate: Blu-ray
Audio	English (Dolby Digital mono)	DTS-HD High-Res Audio German 2046 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2046 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) DTS-HD High-Res Audio English 2046 kbps 5.1 / 48 kHz / 2046 kbps / 16-bit (DTS Core: 5.1 / 48 kHz / 1509 kbps / 16-bit) Commentary: Dolby Digital Audio English 192 kbps 2.0 / 48 kHz / 192 kbps
Subtitles	None	German, None
Features	Release Information: Studio: Warner Aspect Ratio: Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Edition Details: • None DVD Release Date: March 6th, 2007 Keep Case inside a cardboard box Chapters: 24	Release Information: Studio: WVG Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 - 1080i Dual-layered Blu-ray Disc Size: 45,317,777,627 bytes Feature: 22,437,974,016 bytes + 21,528,864,768 bytes Video Bitrate: 24.98 Mbps Codec: MPEG-4 AVC Video Edition Details: • Commentary by Jonathan Sothcott , director David Wickes, researcher Sue Davis (English) • Deleted Scenes (21:37) • Documentary (7:00 German DUB) • Trailers for 4 other, unrelated, films Blu-ray Release Date: October 28th, 2011 Standard Blu-ray Case Chapters: 24

Comments:

NOTE: These Blu-ray captures were taken directly from the Blu-ray disc.

ADDITION: WVG - Region 'B' - Blu-ray (January 2014): This is a little disappointing. Not only is it interlaced (50i) in PAL time but it has been transferred in a bastardized 1.78:1 aspect ratio. It also seems hazy, too yellow and the composition sometimes looks 'off' (tight headshots, cropped hats etc.). I suspect that it is also, a little, horizontally stretched as well as having some low-frequency edge-enhancement. It has both parts on one Blu-ray disc. The Warner bare-bones DVDs (made-on-demand) look quite solid for SD. There are no artifacts and the 3 hour feature is spread over two single-layered discs. The TV, 2-part, film is surely worthy of a superior transfer though.

The WVG Blu-ray offers a German DUB, as well as the original English option - also in DTS-HD, and removable German subtitles. The impressive inclusion is the informative commentary, in English!, hosted by Jonathan Sothcott (author of The Cult Films of Christopher Lee) with director David Wickes and researcher Sue Davis. A lot of decent information dealing with the Jack the Ripper history. There are also 20-minutes of less-consequential deleted scenes and a brief documentary, with a German DUB over the English, about the film.

I think this 1988 movie Jack the Ripper is wonderfully realized and deserves its many accolades. It also has excellent art direction and many pleasing performances. Keep your eyes out for Susan George! I'd probably recommend the DVD set at this point, but if you can forgive the Blu-ray weaknesses - this is certainly worth a viewing.