7.2 | / 10 |
Users | 4.0 | |
Reviewer | 4.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
During the latter half of 1888 a notorious serial killer nicknamed Jack The Ripper terrorises the East End of London by murdering prostitutes in a terribly violent way. Public outrage follows. Inspector Frederick Abberline is assigned to the case but finds that it is not just a simple murder enquiry. Based on a real life event, this film claims to have had access to top secret Home Office files and believe that their ending is the correct solution to the age old mystery.
Starring: Michael Caine, Armand Assante, Ray McAnally, Lewis Collins, Jane SeymourThriller | Insignificant |
Crime | Insignificant |
Drama | Insignificant |
Mystery | Insignificant |
Video codec: MPEG-4 AVC
Video resolution: 1080p
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1, 1.33:1
Original aspect ratio: 1.33:1
English: LPCM 2.0 (48kHz, 16-bit)
English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 (48kHz, 16-bit)
BDInfo
English SDH
Blu-ray Disc
Two-disc set (2 BDs)
Region B (locked)
Movie | 4.0 | |
Video | 4.5 | |
Audio | 5.0 | |
Extras | 3.0 | |
Overall | 4.0 |
David Wickes' "Jack the Ripper" (1988) arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of British label Network Releasing. The supplemental features on the disc include a collection of original production stills; archival footage from the shooting of Barry Foster's version; and more. In English, with optional English SDH subtitles for the main feature. Region-B "locked".
Inspector Frederick Abberline
Presented in an aspect ratio of 1.33: and 1.78:1, encoded with MPEG-4 AVC and granted a 1080p transfer, David Wickes' Jack the Ripper arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Network Releasing.
The following technical information is provided with this release:
"Jack the Ripper has been ARRI-scanned to 2K resolution from the 35mm original negatives and the two-part original broadcast version has restored in its correct aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The restoration involved automated and manual removal of film defects, correction of any major damage and instability, and the image has been grain managed and fully color graded. In addition to the TV version, both parts have been edited together and re-framed from the 2K scans for 16:9, allowing the viewer to experience Jack the Ripper as a full-length feature film.
The magnetic three-track master was transferred and each channel (dialogue, music and effects) restored and then re-combined to produce a new mono mix. The restored DME was then used to create a brand new 5.1 surround mix.
Network restoration producer: Mark Stanborough.
Picture restoration: Anthony Badger.
Colorist: Ray King.
5.1 surround mix: Dan De Pasquale.
Transfer facility: MXI, Acton.
Audio facility: Sony DADC."
The difference in quality between this new release and the German release we reviewed in 2012 is beyond dramatic, though I am not at all surprised because the previous release was sourced from an upscaled standard definition master of some sort. I viewed the 1.33:1 version and I could see the massive improvements in terms of terms of depth, clarity and fluidity practically everywhere. In fact, I would like to specifically mention that there are entire segments where now it is actually easy to see objects and nuances that are lost on the previous release (see screencaptures #2 and 3). The color scheme is also superior. The primaries are healthy and solid and there are plenty of nuances; during the darker/nighttime footage shadow definition is also vastly superior. In other words, the 2K restoration essentially brings back the native qualities of the production and actually makes it possible to enjoy its unique period style. There are no traces of problematic degraining corrections, but with some minor encoding optimizations the end result would have been even more impressive. Image stability is terrific. (Note: This is a Region-B "locked" Blu-ray release. Therefore, you must have a native Region-B or Region-Free player in order to access its content).
There are two standard audio tracks on this Blu-ray release: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and English LPCM 2.0. Optional English SDH subtitles are provided for the entire production.
The audio restoration is just as impressive. I used the 2.0 track and have to say that it exceeded my expectations. John Cameron's score has a very important role and the depth, nuanced dynamics, and fluidity are now simply exceptional. I also tested a couple of sequences with the 5.1 track and can confirm that there is definitely a noticeable difference. When the black carriage, for instance, appears the sound is expanded really well. So, definitely experiment and see which lossless track you like better.
Disc One
Network Releasing's new release of David Wickes' Jack the Ripper is quite the revelation. It comes a couple of years after the atrocious German release from WVG Medien, but it is sourced from a lovey new 2K restoration that was commissioned and completed by the British label. Honestly, I could not be happier with the end result because the quality of the presentation is every bit as impressive as that of the restored The Professionals. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
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