'Brilliant' ITV period drama with Michael Caine leaves fans blown away

A chilling retelling of one of history's most notorious true crime cases is captivating audiences once again as it returns to ITV.

Jack the Ripper, the 1988 mini-series starring Michael Caine, has been hailed by fans as one of the best dramatizations of the infamous Whitechapel murders ever brought to the screen.

Originally broadcast as a two-part event to mark the 100th anniversary of the killings, the production combines real historical figures with one of the most popular theories about the Ripper's identity.

Michael Caine takes the lead as Detective Inspector Frederick Abberline, the officer tasked with hunting down the killer, with a cast including Jane Seymour, Ray McAnally and Armand Assante.

The story follows the police investigation into the 1888 murders, blending fact and speculation to deliver the full narrative. Director David Wickes and co-writer Derek Marlowe reportedly drew on extensive research, including access to Home Office files, to create a script that remains one of the most talked-about interpretations of the case.

As one viewer noted, reviewing it on IMDB: "This one may be the best dramatization of Jack The Ripper's crimes and of the researching that were made... They made a perfect script that keeps you on alert till the very last second."

Shot partly in Derbyshire to replicate Victorian London, the drama is also praised for its rich period detail. From the lavish costumes to the fog-drenched streets of Whitechapel, the production aims to immerse viewers in the uneasy atmosphere of the time.

"Made-for-TV works can also be great," one fan wrote, adding: "Lavish costumes, splendid settings, excellent performances... It really brings us back in Victorian London."

But what sets this adaptation apart for many is its willingness to name a killer, even though the true identity of Jack the Ripper has never been conclusively proven. The drama boldly puts forward a conclusion, which some viewers appreciate as a satisfying ending to an otherwise unsolved mystery.

Others, however, take issue with this fictionalised approach. As one reviewer pointed out: "The film provides a killer, although the real case has never been clarified beyond doubt."

Despite its speculative elements, Jack the Ripper continues to win over audiences who enjoy its mix of historical intrigue and suspense. "It was a TV production, but it is as good as if it was made for cinema," one viewer said, describing Michael Caine's performance as "brilliant" and praising the series' ability to hold attention across its three-hour runtime.

For fans of period dramas or true-crime stories, this gripping and atmospheric mini-series offers a striking interpretation of the world's most infamous unsolved murder case - one that continues to fascinate more than a century later.

Jack the Ripper is now available to stream via ITVX.