The Hughes Brothers' "From Hell" posits a captivating and labyrinthine spin on the well-worn legend of Jack the Ripper. Yet the Detroit homies are not the only film makers who have been inspired by ol' Jack's knife-work - here are five other 'ripping yarns' that are a, er, cut above the rest...
"MURDER BY DECREE" (1979) The Hughes brothers' nearest cousin, this superbly atmospheric drama covers the same multi-layered conspiracy ground as "From Hell", but draws on the deductive prowess of Sherlock Holmes (Christopher Plummer). Blessed with a superior cast (James Mason, John Gielgud, Donald Sutherland), the odd ludicrous false beard doesn't detract from this marvellous and often frightening adventure.
"THE LODGER" (1926) Regarded as the first film that dealt with the Ripper (known here as The Avenger), one of Alfred Hitchcock's earliest films - and, notably, his first thriller - displays many of the themes that would become central to his later works (guilt vs innocence, fetishistic sexuality) and the technical prowess he would become famous for. The show-off.
"TIME AFTER TIME" (1979) Another innovative dose of fiction-fusing, courtesy of Nicholas Meyer ("Star Trek: The Wrath of Kahn"), as HG Wells (Malcolm McDowell) tracks the Ripper through the 20th century to 1979 San Francisco when he steals the writer's time machine. Hugely inventive, despite the dodgy effects, and with a great balance of drama and comedy.
"JACK THE RIPPER" (1988) OK, so it may be a TV movie but this majestic centenary production (with four separate endings shot) can't be overlooked - if only because the East End's most sinister villain squares up against its hero: yes, it's Jack the Ripper vs Michael Caine (playing Inspector Abberline). Jack may have carved the flesh, but Mike chewed the scenery.
"A STUDY IN TERROR" (1965) Despite lacking the ingenuity of "Murder by Decree", this too saw the magical pairing of Jack the Ripper and 221b Baker Street's finest. Capturing the spirit of Conan Doyle, and with a quality cast of British acting stalwarts (John Neville, Robert Morley, Anthony Quayle), it's an above-average piece of Sherlockiana. Watch out for Babs Windsor as a squawking 'Lady of The Night' and prospective blade-fest recipient. Good preparation for her stint at the Queen Vic, anyway.
