“Ripper” on Netflix, an Interesting Walk Through History

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by Bill Formby

While searching through Netflix for something to watch I, for some reason, landed on “Ripper” which I had passed over many times before. I thought it was some kind of knock off of Jack the Ripper and yet another slasher movie. But, As often happens, I was wrong.

It turns out it is somewhat of a docudrama of an actual serial killer case in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the Yorkshire and Manchester area of England. What makes it really interesting is how badly the police handled the case, and how the public began to react to the suggestions of the police. It was, it seemed, the birth of feminism in Britain.

One gets an inside view of British politics and how the British women react to being told to stay off the streets at night unless accompanied by a male companion while insisting that the Ripper was only targeting prostitutes, which was not the case. The Ripper also killed an equal number of “innocent” women.

What I found really interesting was the fact that America was having its own problems with serial killers during this same time period and not having much more success, but they were getting more public support than their British counterparts. The Ripper ended up killing 13 women over a five-year period, while Ted Bundy during a similar period killed more than 30.

For those who are interested in how archaic police work used to be compared to today, it is an interesting stroll back through history, as well as the misogynistic views of the British Constabulary.

 

About Post Author

Bill Formby

Bill Formby, aka William A. Formby, PhD, aka Lazersedge is a former Marine and a former police officer. He is a retired University Educator who considers himself a moderate pragmatic progressive liberal, meaning that he thinks practically liberal, acts practically liberal, and he is not going to change in the near future. But, if he does he will be sure to let you know.
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jess
3 years ago

I’m currently watching every damn Xmas movie there is on the hallmark and Lifetime channel. What can I tell you, it’s like crack and a train wreck you cannot pull yourself away from. Ty comes in other day after shift and says, oh J why are you doing this to yourself with all the good stuff you watch, you are watching this crap. I told him he’s channeling my first husband and if he is not careful, he’ll be joining him if he interrupts my holiday movie watching. Even had the nerve to tell me Die hard is not a Xmas movie. Seriously though, I cannot pull myself away from these damn things. I need like a 12 step deal to help me 🙂 Also he is taking way too long to catch up on The Boys, I haven’t even watched the last thing you did a rec for. I think I might need a new boyfriend if he continues to be a slacker 😉

Bill Formby
3 years ago

Mike, what is really interesting about this is that it occurred during the time that the FBI was putting together their BAU, yet none of that is mentioned. Also, if you have read Wambaugh’s “The Blooding” which was, according to him the first use of DNA in catching a serial offender, it occurred within the same time frame (about 1985) in England. That is not mentioned.

Reply to  Bill Formby
3 years ago

I did read that, but it was many, many years ago Bill.

Admin
3 years ago

I’m fascinated by the Ripper and also enjoy the analysis of current serial killers. I’ll be watching this.

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