Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper Films

A Study In Terror (1965 / 1966)

C – 95m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper, Fog
Characters By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Loosely Adapted From The Novel: A Study In Terror by Ellery Queen (Daniel Nathan / Fredric Dannay and Emanuel Benjamin Lepofsky / Manfred Bennington Lee) 
Original Story By: Jim O’Connolly
Screenplay By: Donald Ford and Derek Ford
Dir.: James Hill
Starring: John Neville, Donald Houston, John Fraser, Anthony Quayle, Barbara Windsor, Adrienne Corri, Frank Finlay, Judi Dench, Cecil Parker, Georgia Brown, Barry Jones, Robert Morley, Peter Carsten, Christiane Maybach and Patrick Newell. 

Sherlock Holmes and Dr. John H. Watson join the hunt for the notorious serial killer, Jack The Ripper. Slick loose adaption of the Ellery Queen classic novel features an interesting take on The Ripper story. The novel it is loosely adapted from has the Holmes story framed by armchair detective / writer Ellery Queen reading the manuscript by Dr. John H. Watson. This film is simply the Holmes Vs. The Ripper story that Queen was, “reading”… For what it was at the time the film does a swift job of telling the story, though there are many loose ends not so well tied up. Still, it is of interest for Ripperphiles and should be screened with Murder By Decree (1979).   

Trivia: The close of the film, set a Baker Street eludes to The Adventure Of The Blue Carbuncle by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Frank Finlay also plays Inspector Lestrade in: Murder By Decree (1979). Anthony Quayle appears in both films as well. John Neville reprised his role as Sherlock Holmes on Broadway in the 1970’s. Robert Stephens was the first choice to play Sherlock Holmes here; he would go on to do so in 1970 and Thorley Walters was the first choice for Dr. Watson. Jim O’Connolly was at first attached to direct the film. Mary Anne Nichols, The Ripper’s first victim, bought a hat that she was proud of the night she was murdered. This bit of info was given to his third victim in this film: “Long Liz” – Elizabeth Stride. The final victim, Mary Jane Kelly’s one room flat was historically located on the first floor.

Out Of Print on VHS but Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Murder By Decree (1979)

C – 124m
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Sherlock Holmes: Murder By Decree, Sherlock Holmes And Saucy Jack
Characters By: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Book: The Ripper File by Elwyn Jones, Stephen Knight and John Lloyd
Screenplay By: John Hopkins
Novelization By: Robert Weverka
Prod. – Dir.: Bob Clark
Starring: Christopher Plummer, James Mason, David Hemmings, Susan Clark, Anthony Quayle, John Gielgud, Frank Finlay, Donald Sutherland, Genevieve Bujold, June Brown, Hilary Sesta, Anthony May, Ann Mitchell and Iris Fry.

Sherlock Holmes investigates the murders committed by Jack The Ripper and discovers a conspiracy to protect the killer. Sherlock Holmes Vs. Jack The Ripper once again – basic but fun. The ending feels a tad rushed but the film is entertaining. For a shoe–string budget film, this is quite impressive. Worth a look and should be on a double bill with A Study In Terror (1965). 

Trivia: Alien (1979) was filming concurrently with this film, Murder By Decree (1979). Peter O’Toole was originally cast as Sherlock Holmes with Sir Laurence Olivier as Dr. Watson. Director Bob Clark had to research to see if the word, “fart,” existed in 1888, it was. According to Bob Clark the film’s budget was less than $4 million. Christopher Plumber, who plays Sherlock Holmes here, was a cousin of Nigel Bruce, who played Dr. Watson to Basil Rathbone’s Sherlock Holmes from 1939 – 1946. Plummer previously played Holmes in the tele-movie: The Sunday Drama: The Silver Blaze (1977). Frank Finlay also played Inspector Lestrade in A Study In Terror (1965). Anthony Quayle also was in that film. This was the first Ripper film released in 1979. The other was: Time After Time (1979).

Rated: [PG]
Out Of Print on VHS but Available on DVD & Digital Copy 

From Hell (2001)

C – 122m
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: Jack
Graphic Novel By: Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell
Screenplay By: Terry Hayes and Rafael Yglesias
Exec. Prod.s – Dir.s: Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes
Starring: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Sir Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Sir Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Katrin Cartlidge, Terence Howard, Susan Lynch, Lesley Sharp, Annabelle Apsion, Joanna Page, Mark Dexter, Sophia Myles, Donald Douglas, John Owens, Ian McNeice, Vincent Franklin, Anthony Parker, James Greene, Dominic Cooper and Carey Thring.

In Victorian Era London, a troubled clairvoyant police detective investigates the murders of Jack The Ripper. Other critics and film historians panned this film thoroughly. This reviewer on the other hand loves this film. The period detail is fairly good, the CGI and makeup are great and the story is basically Sherlock Holmes, as a clairvoyant, chasing Jack The Ripper, as previously depicted in A Study In Terror (1965/1966) and Murder By Decree (1979). The cast plays this to the hilt and it has some wonderful visuals – the red London skyline and the drugged visions of the streets including The Elephant Man – Joseph Carey Merrick ( incorrectly called: “John Merrick”). There is also great attention paid to the details of The Ripper’s crimes. A must!  

Trivia: Heather Graham almost went into softcore pornography until she got her role in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999), then, subsequently made this film where she plays a prostitute. Real photos of The Ripper’s victims were pinned to the walls of the police station set. The directors did this to unnerve the actors in order to get better performances out of them. Commissioner of Police Sir Charles Warren never really visited the site of the fifth ripper victim as he was relieved of his duties, forced resignation, prior to the final victim’s murder. Daniel Day–Lewis, Sir Sean Connery, Jude Law and Brad Pitt were all either, considered, wanted or interviewed for the role that went to Johnny Depp. Sir Nigel Hawthorne was set to play Sir William Gull, played here by Sir Ian Holm, but had to drop out due to being terminally ill with cancer. As noted Sir Ian Holm replaced him. Sir Nigel Hawthorne died in 2001. Around the time of this film William Friedkin was trying to set up The Diary Of Jack The Ripper as a film with Sir Anthony Hopkins. This was the film debut of Dominic Cooper and the final film of Katrin Cartlidge who died from food poisoning at the age of 41 on September 7, 2002.  

Rated: [R] – Strong Violence / Gore, Sexuality, Language & Dug Content
Available on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

Peter Jackson’s Tolkien Trilogies (2001–2014)

The Lord Of The Rings Trilogy (2001–2003) was released in the early 2000’s and then nine years later The Hobbit Trilogy (2012–2014) was released. Although The Hobbit takes place before The Lord Of The Rings, it is presented in review form here after The Lord Of The Rings because that is the order in which the films were made.

The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring (2001)

C – 178m (Theatrical Cut) / 228m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring: The Motion Picture
The Fellowship Of The Ring
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Writer – Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Alan Howard, Sean Astin, Sala Baker, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Sir Ian Holm, Sir Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Sir Ian McKellen, Peter McKenzie, Sarah McLeod, Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Peter Jackson and Bret McKenzie.

A fellowship is formed by a wizard consisting of a hobbit and dwarfs to destroy the ring of The Dark Lord Sauron. Masterfully done version of the first book is by far the best way to go with the story. Splendid visuals and enough action to keep one riveted… A MUST WATCH! The preferred cut is the Extended Cut.

Trivia: Sir Christopher Lee would read The Lord Of The Rings trilogy once a year, from the time of it’s publication to the time of his death in 2015. He was also the only cast member to have ever met J.R.R. Tolkien. As such he could often be found visiting the makeup department, giving tips on characters’ appearances. Gandalf’s banging his head against a beam in Bilbo’s hobbit hole was not in the script. Director Peter Jackson thought that Sir Ian McKellen did such a good job acting through the mistake that he left it in.

Viggo Mortensen did his own stunts. Orlando Bloom did most of his own stunts and broke a rib in the process. The reason why the ring stays on the floor when Bilbo dropped it is because the floor was magnetized. The symbolism being: the weight and seriousness of the ring. And finally: The original cut of the film ran 4 hours 30 minutes.

For more information listen to the commentary tracks on the Blu–rays and DVDs and watch the plethora of extras on the Extended Editions of the Blu–rays and DVDs.  

Oscar® winner for: Best Cinematography, Best Makeup, Best Original Musical Score and Best Visual Effects. It was additionally nominated for Oscars® for: Best Picture, Best Director – Peter Jackson, Best Supporting Actor – Sir Ian McKellen, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Original Song – “May It Be” and Best Sound. The film was also nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director – Motion Picture – Peter Jackson, Best Original Score – Motion Picture, Best Original Song – Motion Picture – “May It Be”.

Rated: [PG–13] – Epic Battle Sequences & Some Scary Images
Available separately in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

C – 179m (Theatrical Cut) / 235m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Two Towers
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Writer – Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Bruce Allpress, Sean Astin, John Bach, Sala Baker, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Boom, Billy Boyd, Brad Dourif, Bernard Hill, Bruce Hopkins, Sir Christopher Lee, Sir Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Sean Bean and Peter Jackson.

Frodo and Sam edge closer to Mordor aided by Gollum, and he rest of The Fellowship make a stand against Sauron’s new ally, Saruman. Long but masterfully done second film in the Lord Of The Rings Trilogy.

Trivia: When Gollum eats a raw fish, it is actually Andy Serkis chewing on a fish shaped lollipop. For more on the plethora of trivia watch the bonus features on the Extended Cut Blu–rays and DVDs.

Oscar® winner for: Best Sound Editing and Best Visual Effects. It was additionally nominated for the Oscars® for: Best Picture, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Best Film Editing and Best Sound. The film was also nominated for Golden Globes for: Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Director – Motion Picture – Peter Jackson.

Rated: [PG–13] – Epic Battle Sequences & Scary Images
Available separately in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003)

C – 201m (Theatrical Cut) / 263m (Full Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen
A.K.A.: The Return Of The King
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Writer – Co–Producer – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Ali Astin, Sean Astin, John Bach, Sean Bean, Cate Blanchett, Orlando Bloom, Billy Boyd, Bernard Hill, Sir Ian Holm, Bruce Hopkins, Sir Ian McKellen, Bret McKenzie, Sarah McLeod, Viggo Mortensen, John Noble, Andy Serkis, Liv Tyler, Karl Urban, Hugo Weaving, Elijah Wood, Alan Howard, Sala Baker, Brad Dourif, Sir Christopher Lee and Peter Jackson.

Gandalf and Aragorn create a distraction with The World Of Men so that Frodo and Sam can get to Mount Doom to destroy the ring. A masterful ending to the trilogy!

Trivia: A normal movie has about 200 visual effects shots, this film had 1,488 visual effects shots. Peter Jackson had arachnophobia and based the Shelob’s designs on the kind of spiders he is afraid of. And finally the final day of shooting happened over a month after the movie was theatrically released and three weeks after the 2004 Oscars®. Peter Jackson thought it was funny to be shooting a film that already won Oscars®. The final shot is available on the Extended Edition of the film.  

11 Award Oscar® winner for: Best Picture, Best Director – Peter Jackson, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Art Direction – Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Original Score, Best Original Song – “Into The Mix”, Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects. The film was additionally won for Golden Globes for: Best Director – Motion Picture – Peter Jackson, Best Original Score – Motion Picture, Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Original Song – Motion Picture – “Into The West”.

Rated: [PG–13] – Intense Epic Battle Sequences & Frightening Images
Available separately in Theatrical Cut and Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy 

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

C – 169m (Theatrical Cut) / 182m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen / 2.00:1 – Widescreen (IMAX)
Note: 2D – 24 – 30 Frames Per Second / 3D – 60 – 80 Frames Per Second
A.K.A.: The Hobbit: Part I, The Hobbit: Part 1, The Hobbit Part I, The Hobbit Part 1
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Screenwriters: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro
Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Ken Stott, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, Sir Ian Holm, Elijah Wood, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, Sir Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis, Bret McKenzie, Benedict Cumberbatch and Peter Jackson.

A hobbit gets talked into taking a journey with dwarfs to recover their treasure from a dragon. They start their journey… A long anticipated and delayed first entry in the prequel trilogy to The Lord Of The Rings (2001–2003), is appreciable but a bit of a letdown from what it could have been if given the same quality treatment that Rings received. Still it is superior to the animated version of The Hobbit (1977).

Trivia: Daniel Radcliffe, Shia LaBeouf, James McAvoy, Erryn Arkin and Tobey Maguire were all considered for the role of Bilbo Baggins, though Martin Freeman was always the first choice according to Peter Jackson. As such, Jackson rearranged the shooting schedule to accommodate Freeman, who was also contracted for the television series: Sherlock (2010–2017). According to Peter Jackson: When Jackson issued the invite to this movie’s premier via phone to Christopher Lee, Lee reportedly said, “I’m still in the movie?” This was a snarky remark stemming from a brief falling out that Lee and Jackson had because Jackson cut Lee from the theatrical cut of The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King (2003). For more trivia check out the bonus features on the various editions of this film.

Rated: [PG – 13] – Extended Sequences Of Intense Fantasy Action Violence & Frightening Images
Available in 2D & 3D and in Theatrical Cut & Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug (2013)

C – 161m  (Theatrical Cut) / 186m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen / 2.00:1 – Widescreen (IMAX)
Note: 2D – 24 – 30 Frames Per Second / 3D – 60 – 80 Frames Per Second
A.K.A.: The Hobbit: There And Back Again Part II, The Hobbit: There And Back Again Part 2, There And Back Again Part II, The Hobbit: Part II, The Hobbit: Part 2, The Hobbit Part II, The Hobbit Part 2, Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien                 
Co–Screenwriters: Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro
Co–Pro. – Dir.:  Peter Jackson
Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Ken Stott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Stephen Colbert, Peter Jackson and Ed Sheeran.

The company continues their journey to get their land back from Smaug the dragon.  Bilbo has, “the one ring to rule them all.” The best entry in The Hobbit Trilogy boasts of wonder CGI in the creation of Smaug the dragon. Almost everything works here!

Trivia: Orlando Bloom performed all his own stunts. Benedict Cumberbatch suggested writing and reading the Necromancer’s Black Speech backwards and then having the editors reverse it in order to make it sound demonic and unholy. And: Sir Christopher Lee stated that he would have loved to voice Smaug the dragon.

Oscar® nominated for: Best Sound Mixing, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG–13] – Extended Sequences Of Intense Fantasy Action Violence & Frightening Images
Available in 2D & 3D and in Theatrical Cut & Extended Cut on 3D on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy

The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies (2014)

C – 142m (Theatrical Cut) / 164m (Extended Cut)
Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1 – Widescreen  / 2.00:1 – Widescreen (IMAX)
Note: 2D – 24 – 30 Frames Per Second / 3D – 60 – 80 Frames Per Second
A.K.A.: The Hobbit: There And Back Again, The Hobbit: Part III, The Hobbit Part III, The Hobbit: Part 3, The Hobbit Part 3
Novel By: J.R.R. Tolkien
Co–Screenwriters: Fran Walsh, Pilippa Boyens, Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro
Co–Pro. – Dir.: Peter Jackson
Starring: Sir Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Ken Scott, Graham McTavish, William Kircher, James Nesbitt, Stephen Hunter, Peter Hambleton, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Sir Christopher Lee, Sir Ian Holm, Benedict Cumberbatch, Luke Evans, Stephen Fry, Billy Connolly, Billy Boyd and Peter Jackson.

Bilbo and company enter battle in order to keep The Lonely Mountain from falling into the hands of the rising darkness. A satisfactory conclusion to The Hobbit Trilogy features a deadening battle that lasts most of the film. Pacing is a bit uneven this time around though. Still, it stands stand up well as part of the trilogy. 

Trivia: This was the last film featuring Sir Christopher Lee to be completed and released before his death at age 93 on June 7, 2015. And: Sir Ian Holm and Sir Christopher Lee filmed their scenes in Pinewood Studios in London, England because of a concern about traveling to New Zealand due to health issues. 

Oscar® nominated for Best Sound Editing.

Rated: [PG – 13] – Extended Sequences Of Intense Fantasy Action Violence & Frightening Images (Theatrical Cut)
[R] – Some Violence (Extended Cut)
Available in 2D & 3D and in Theatrical Cut & Extended Cut on Blu–ray, DVD & Digital Copy