Jack the Ripper The TV movie Jack the Ripper endeavors to shed new light on one of the most notorious unsolved cases in history. The Ripper, of course, was the London serial killer who, in 1888, killed and disemboweled five prostitutes. Michael Caine stars not as the Ripper but as a Frank Abberline, a Scotland-Yard inspector who is assigned to the case. The trail of evidence leads Abberline to some astonishing suspects-- including at least one member of the Royal Family. As the public clamors for an arrest in the case of the unsolved evisceration murders of five East End prostitutes, Abberline narrows down his list of suspects: the four most likely to have committed the murders, according to the inspector, are American-actor Richard Mansfield, Queen Victoria's personal psychic, a certain Dr. Ackland and socialist-gadfly Lusk. The British government is also pressuring Abberline to produce the killer. Unfortunately, if Abberline were to publicly release all the clues at his disposal, the revelation would probably rock the Empire to its foundations. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
The identity of the killer of five women in the East End of London in 1888 has remained a mystery, but the case has continued to horrify and fascinate. Between August and November 1888, the Whitechapel area of London was the scene of five brutal murders. The killer was dubbed 'Jack the Ripper'. All the women murdered were prostitutes, and all except for one - Elizabeth Stride - were horribly mutilated. The first murder, of Mary Ann Nicholls, took place on 31 August. Her throat was cut so deeply, that her head was nearly taken off. Annie Chapman was killed on 8 September. Annie s intestines were removed and placed upon her shoulder. Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddoweson were murdered 30 September and Mary Jane Kelly on 9 November. There has been much speculation as to the identity of the killer. It has been suggested that he or she was a doctor or butcher, based on the evidence of weapons and the mutilations that occurred, which showed a knowledge of human anatomy. Many theories have been put forward suggesting individuals who might be responsible. Violence to prostitutes was not uncommon and there were many instances of women being brutalized but the nature of these murders do seem to suggest a link. A quarter of a mile from the scene of Catherine Eddowes' murder, the words 'The Juwes (Jews) are not the men to be blamed for nothing,' were found scrawled on a wall in chalk, and it was suggested this was written by the killer. A police officer ordered the words to be removed, fearing an anti-jewish backlash in an area with a large Jewish population. The murderer is also sometimes thought to have made contact by letter with several public figures: these letters, however, like the chalk message, have never been proved to be authentic, and may have been hoaxes. Jack the Ripper was never caught and he is not thought to have killed again after November 1888.
Jack the Ripper Reading Comprehension 1. What has remained a mystery since 1888? 2. Which part of London did the murders take place in? 3. The five murdered women all worked as what? 4. Which woman was not mutilated? 5. Who was murdered in September 1888? 6. Some people think Jack the Ripper worked as what? 7. Why do they think this? 8. What was quite common during those days? 9. What was found a short distance from the fourth murder? 10. Why did the police remove the writing on the wall? 11. What did Jack the Ripper often do (other than commit murder)? 12. Was Jack the Ripper ever caught?
Jack the Ripper Reading Gapfill A A The of the killer of five women in the East End of London in 1888 has remained a, but the case has continued to horrify and fascinate. Between August and November, the Whitechapel area of London was the of five brutal murders. The killer was dubbed 'Jack the Ripper'. All the women murdered were, and all except for one - Elizabeth Stride - were horribly mutilated. The first murder, of Mary Ann Nicholls, took place on 31 August. Her was cut so deeply, that her head was nearly taken off. Annie Chapman was killed on 8 September. Annie s were removed and placed upon her shoulder. Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddoweson were 30 September and Mary Jane Kelly on 9 November. There has been much as to the identity of the killer. It has been that he or she was a doctor or butcher, based on the of weapons and the mutilations that occurred, which showed of human anatomy. Many theories have been put forward suggesting who might be responsible. to prostitutes was not uncommon and there were many instances of women being brutalized but the nature of these murders do seem to suggest a. A quarter of a mile from the scene of Catherine Eddowes' murder, the words 'The Juwes (Jews) are not the men to be blamed for nothing,' were found on a wall in chalk, and it was suggested this was written by the killer. A police officer ordered the words to be, fearing an anti-jewish backlash in an area with a large Jewish. The murderer is also sometimes thought to have made contact by letter with several public figures: these letters, however, like the chalk message, have never been proved to be, and may have been hoaxes. Jack the Ripper was never and he is not thought to have killed again after November 1888.
Jack the Ripper Gapfill B The identity of the killer of five women in the East End of London in 1888 has a mystery, but the case has continued to horrify and. Between August and November 1888, the area of London was the scene of five brutal. The killer was dubbed 'Jack the Ripper'. All the women murdered were prostitutes, and all except for one - Elizabeth Stride - were horribly. The first murder, of Mary Ann Nicholls, took place on 31 August. Her throat was cut so that her head was nearly taken off. Annie Chapman was killed on 8 September. Annie s intestines were removed and placed upon her. Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddoweson were murdered 30 September and Mary Jane Kelly on 9. There has been much speculation as to the of the killer. It has been suggested that he or she was a or butcher, based on the evidence of weapons and the mutilations that, which showed knowledge of human. Many theories have been put forward suggesting individuals who might be. Violence to prostitutes was not uncommon and there were many instances of women being but the nature of these murders do seem to suggest a link. A quarter of a mile from the of Catherine Eddowes' murder, the words 'The Juwes (Jews) are not the men to be blamed for nothing,' were found scrawled on a wall in, and it was suggested this was written by the killer. A police officer ordered the words to be removed, fearing an anti-jewish in an area with a large Jewish population. The murderer is also sometimes thought to have made by letter with several public figures: these letters, however, like the chalk message, have never been proved to be authentic, and may have been. Jack the Ripper was never caught and he is not thought to have killed again after 1888.
Jack the Ripper Creative Writing 1 Jack the Ripper wrote many letters to the press. Have your students write their own Jack letter!
Jack the Ripper Creative Writing 2 In 1888, London police interviewed thousands of people to find the killer. Above is a real police report from one of Jack the Rippers murders. Students are police and write their own report!
Jack the Ripper Creative Writing 3 Newspapers of the day reported the murders sensationally. Have your students make their own sensational Jack the Ripper articles!
Jack the Ripper Role-play During 1888, the London police interviewed thousands of people, including prostitutes, doctors, butchers, sailors and thieves. Have your students role-play some of these interviews and characters!!
Clips of the two-part drama to show Clip One (Start to 3:38mins) The case is introduced and we see a vibrant Victorian London scene. Clip Two (7:26mins to 10:04mins) We see the autopsy of the first victim. The nature of the killing is shown to be very brutal. The doctor believes that the killer may have medical knowledge. Clip Three (14:10mins to 15:01mins) - In this quick clip, Abberline is under pressure to find the killer. Famously he asks Do you want the real killer or will anybody do?! Clip Four (48:22mins 51:59mins) Another ghastly murder! We see the police interviewing locals. Clip Five (1:08:23mins to 1:11:43mins) - At the morgue, where the autopsy is taking place of the second victim. Abberline asks the doctor to keep a small detail of the murder a secret (her ears have been cut off), in the hope of finding the killer. Clip Six (1:14:24mins to 1:16:20mins) The inquest into one of the murders reveals some facts about the Ripper which will interest your students. Clip Seven (1:22:38mins to End of Part One) A letter has been sent to the press (really good for Creative Writing 1). It is real because it mentions the removed ears, which only the Ripper and police know. The detectives meet to discuss leads. Clip Eight (Start of Part 2 to 12:50mins) The 30 th September double murder! Close by, the Ripper has left a scrawled anti-semitic message on the wall. The police hold an emergency meeting to discuss their next move (really good for the role-play part!) Clip Nine (54:11mins to 57:20mins) - The final, grisly murder! Stop the DVD. *optional extra clip the answer to who the Ripper probably was! 1:10:30mins to 1:31:00mins (End of film)