In this slasher horror re-imagination of the legend of Jack the Ripper, Klaus Kinski plays the leading role. In this version Jack the Ripper is not simply a faceless horror, an adversary to be found and evaded, but rather a deeply troubled man driven to horrendous deeds by his past. Why you'd want to give one of the most notorious mystery killers of all time an identity, I don't know, but let's just say that it doesn't work.
Now, on the paper, it could work but unfortunately this German production doesn't quite have talent or the budget to back it up. The main problem is the lack of style. It's shot mainly in a studio and fails to capture the mood and atmosphere of Victorian London, without even mentioning the mood and atmosphere of a horror film. A stage production rather than a film, in the worst meaning of the idea.
The film could hold some value as some sort of an exploitation cult film, as a lot of nude skin is shown and the murders are gruesome enough, although the special effects leave a lot to be desired. But unfortunately time has passed this film by. There a lot of films, better films, to check out if you're looking for sexpoilation or gore.
Jack the Ripper is not a bad film because it's awful. It's bad because it quite simply has nothing to offer.
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