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2025 Severin release (4K UHD Blu-ray) |
The US version was compared with the export version.
London in 1888: In the dark, foggy alleys of Whitechapel, a series of gruesome murders is terrorizing the population. Several prostitutes are brutally murdered. Inspector O'Neill and his American colleague Sam Lowry try to find the perpetrator. Jack the Ripper relies primarily on a dark atmosphere and foggy backdrops, using the unsolved historical case of Jack the Ripper as the basis for a solid crime plot in which false leads are often laid until the perpetrator is finally unmasked. I first saw Jack the Ripper on March 2, 2007, on ARTE. It was part of the ARTE Trash series and was shown in English with German subtitles. At that time, ARTE regularly showed films that were not mainstream, but not necessarily trash. In addition to Jack the Ripper, films such as Black Sunday, Andy Warhol's Heat, and Night of the Living Dead were also shown. It was a wonderful time to discover unusual films. On January 16, 2018, the film was released on Blu-ray for the first time by Severin Films in the US. The version situation was a bit tricky at the time. The Blu-ray includes a 35mm theatrical print of the US version of the film and a slightly lower quality UK version. Each version is preceded by a short text panel with details about the transfer.
The transfer of the UK version dates from 2005 and is presumably the version that was also broadcast on ARTE. The US version was adapted for the US market by producer Joseph E. Levine. A new soundtrack was created, and some of the murder scenes are slightly longer in the US version. The text panel before the UK version indicates that the cuts were necessary due to BBFC requirements. In the finale, there is a short scene in color showing the Ripper's blood. The UK version does not show this and uses an alternative shot of the elevator instead. Those who purchased the release directly from Severin as part of a Black Friday sale received an additional bonus DVD. This included a compilation of scenes. Severin obtained a 35mm copy from a French film collector that contained alternative nude scenes. Based on the UK version, the so-called European Version/Continental Version/Export Version was created. As it turned out, however, Severin was not entirely thorough and a few scenes were overlooked, which Severin confirmed in their podcast. If you are interested in the background of the release and the origins of the master, you are welcome to listen to it here. A blog entry from 2013 on Black Hole contains a review of Jack the Ripper. It discusses the different versions and also mentions that a French version was available in its entirety on YouTube. Unfortunately, there is no direct link and it appears that this version has since been deleted from YouTube. On June 24, 2025, Severin Films released a new edition of Jack the Ripper on UHD/Blu-ray. It includes the US version and, for the first time, the restored export version of the film. The picture quality of both versions is excellent. The export version is based on the UK version, which has toned down the violent scenes, but includes the alternative nude scenes. In summary, there are three main versions of the film:
So far so good, but what is still missing is a version that includes both the extended violent scenes and the nude scenes. At the moment, you have to decide whether you would rather see the more brutal version of the murder scenes or the nude scenes. Based on the US version, you would have to insert the alternative nude scenes, but then you would have the changed music. Running times:
[00:00:00][00:00:00]
The US version begins with the Paramount logo. A narrator welcomes the audience, who are invited to pit their wits against the experts. The audience is asked to watch closely to guess the identity of Jack the Ripper.
The export version begins with the Regal Films logo.
US: 26 sec. EX: 14 sec. [00:00:27][00:00:15] At the beginning, the text inserts differ.
No time difference. [00:02:50][00:02:38] The US version cuts to the woman earlier than she is strangled by the Ripper.
In the export version, however, the bag can be seen on the floor for longer after the woman drops it.
US: 1 sec. EX: 1 sec. [00:02:55][00:02:43] In the US version, the woman is strangled by the Ripper for longer.
US: 1 sec. [00:03:06][00:02:53] The US version shows the woman's face contorted in pain. The Ripper stabs her again.
The export version shows a different shot in which the woman and the Ripper are seen from the side.
US: 8 sec. EX: 2 sec. [00:03:15][00:02:57] The opening credits are different.
No time difference. [00:04:00][00:03:41] The US version fades out.
In the export version, the opening credits are significantly longer.
US: 1 sec. EX: 28 sec. [00:16:49][00:16:57] The US version continues to show Helen being strangled by the Ripper.
The export version cuts to the Ripper's pocket.
US: 9 sec. EX: 2 sec. [00:17:00][00:17:00] In the US version, Helen is strangled by the Ripper for a longer time.
US: 9 sec. [00:36:30][00:36:21] The US version shows a close-up of the dancers dancing in a circle with their skirts thrown up.
The export version continues to use the same shot.
US: 4 sec. EX: 4 sec. [00:36:36][00:36:28] The US version cuts to the dancers earlier. The camera pans back again.
In the export version, the audience can still be seen.
US: 3 sec. EX: 3 sec. [00:40:08][00:39:59] The scene with the dancers in the changing room was shot in two versions. In the US version, the dancers are clothed, while in the export version, some of the dancers' breasts are visible. The dialogue is identical. In the scene, Maggie and Hazel are getting ready. One of the women starts an argument with Maggie and a fight breaks out. O'Reilly enters the room and separates the women.
US: 1:27 min. EX: 1:32 min. [00:43:31][00:43:28] Alternative material when Freddie and Maggie come out of the room and Freddie pours champagne over her. The export version shows him pulling Maggie's dress down to lick the champagne off her. In the US version, he does not pull the dress down.
US: 10 sec. EX: 12 sec. [00:43:59][00:43:58] Alternative material for the scene where the man tries to tear Hazel's dress down and she runs out of the room. In the export version, Hazel's breast is briefly visible.
US: 11 sec. EX: 12 sec. [00:45:12][00:45:11] Alternative material when Hazel is pushed into the corner by the Ripper. In the export version, part of her torn dress slips down and Hazel's breast is visible.
US: 11 sec. EX: 11 sec. [00:45:39][00:45:39] Alternative shot of the dead Hazel.
US: 4 sec. EX: 4 sec. [00:58:50][00:58:49] The US version continues to show the Ripper stabbing the prostitute. She grimaces in pain.
US: 2 sec. [01:14:07][01:14:03] The US version continues to show Sir David pushing Kitty onto the bed. She tries to defend herself, but Sir David stabs her with the knife.
The export version shows a shot of Sir David leaning forward. This suggests that he is stabbing her.
US: 11 sec. EX: 3 sec. [01:23:17][01:23:05] The US version cuts to Sir David earlier as he tries to stop the elevator.
In the export version, Sir David can still be seen from the side.
US: 3 sec. EX: 2 sec. [01:23:28][01:23:15] Again, the US version cuts to Sir David earlier.
The export version continues to show him from the side.
US: 2 sec. EX: 1 sec. [01:23:31][01:23:17] In the US version, Sir David can be seen longer as he braces himself against the elevator.
US: 1 sec. [01:24:21][01:24:06] Alternative “The End” fade-in and credits.
US: 37 sec. EX: 41 sec. |
