As one might guess, The Ripper released in 1985 is indeed about Jack the Ripper, that most famous serial killer who has been immortalized in every medium possible. The reason for such is that he was never caught, the end of his story a mystery for the ages and while there have been theories, investigations and the like over the years, the final fate of the Ripper remains a secret to this day. Director Christopher Lewis does not necessarily try to solve that mystery but he does bring Jack back to modern times in a somewhat enjoyable movie.

The story involves a college professor, his girlfriend, a know-it-all student and a ring that may or may not have belonged to the famous killer. Despite not wanting to believe it, murders in their small town continue to pile up and they seem drastically familiar to those in the know. While out shopping to get some furniture at an antique shop, the professor comes across a ring. It is quite gaudy in nature but it calls to him and when he sees it in a text about Jack the Ripper, he knows that he cannot go any longer without it. All of this leads to a climactic showdown where the Ripper takes over the professor’s body and yet, when dealing with modern weaponry, Jack does not stand a chance, at least in one sense.

Watching this, many will notice that this is not the most cohesive of pictures, the writing not being as good as it could have been. Part of this is because the budget eliminated bits here and there that never made it into the final picture and thus, scenes and dialogue that might have made sense previously, did not do so now. That being said, if one can overlook the gaffes it does tend to move in a linear direction and slowly but surely, the Ripper who is never fully shown until the final act, makes an appearance. It does take its time to get anywhere though, Lewis setting a sluggish pace and it feels as if one is watching a bad television movie at times. Little of note happens aside from the teacher and his significant other hanging out or the professor teaching a class and talking movies with them. Monotonous is a good word to describe the bulk of this picture even if there are moments that are decent and bring a touch of levity to the proceedings. Even after things pick up during that final bout, for many it would be too little too late but it does have a neat little twist at the end for those who would stick around.

The acting, the music, the plot and the story, all of it is okay and it never really rises above that. It does provide some enjoyment and the idea of bringing one of history’s most notorious serial killers from the past to the current day does present some possibilities which the makers of this film take advantage of but the execution was lacking. Given more money and time, The Ripper could have been so much more and such as it is, watching this film a single time is more than enough for anyone.

2.5 out of 5