Product: Hands of the Ripper [VHS] (1972)
Rating: 5.0
A true Gothic classic!
I had not even known of this movie's existence until Chip Kaufmann, a reviewer specializing in the classic horror genre recommended it to me. Luckily, the movie rental website I subscribe to had this and I was very pleased with the movie. The production qualities are above average and overall, I thought this was one of Hammer's better productions, a wonderful blend of classic horror and excellent acting.The movie's plot has a unique premise - what if Jack the Ripper had a daughter, and this same daughter witnessed her mother's death at Jack's hands, and was so traumatized by the childhood experience that it haunted her into adulthood? There is of course a supernatural element in the story that involves spirit possession. Anna (Angharad Rees) portrays the young and innocent girl who having been orphaned at a young age, is being used as part of a fake psychic's seance business. The old psychic also plans to sell Anna's virginity to a prominent sleaze-bag, an aspiring politician Dysart (Derek Godfrey). Things go horribly awry and the psychic is murdered. The only witnesses are Anna and Dysart. Here's where the other main character comes in - Dr. Pritchard (Eric Porter) is a prominent psychiatrist who wishes to study the roots of violent behavior and finds Anna a compelling subject. He manages to extricate both Dysart (who fears for his reputation) and Anna (who has been thrown into a women's lock-up facility) out of a potentially sticky situation and harbors Anna in his home.Well, things get complicated further when Pritchard's son, Michael (Keith Bell) and his blind wife-to-be Laura (Jane Merrow) come to stay. There is something obviously not quite right with Anna, but even Pritchard does not realize how dangerous the situation can be for him and all those he loves. I thought the story was well-paced - there's an element of suspense throughout, and the menacing atmosphere is well conveyed through the use of lighting and of course the credible acting, especially by Rees' portrayal of the confused and tormented Anna and Porter's well-intentioned but ultimately clueless Pritchard. This movie is recommended for fans of classic and atmospheric horror, but if you're expecting a story along the lines of those splatterfest horror movies with little in terms of plot and characterization, this is not for you.Hopefully, I'll be able to find a decent DVD of this classic horror movie and add it to my collection. Recommended! Other Ripper-themed movies I'd recommend:Murder by DecreeRipper [VHS]Jack the RipperFrom Hell [Blu-ray]