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Hands of the Ripper

Name: Hands of the Ripper
Director: Peter Sasdy
Released: 1971
Duration: 85 min

Representation Score

2.5/10

Limited

1971

Director

Peter Sasdy

Runtime

85 minutes

Average Rating

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New Showbiz Analysis

Hands of the Ripper is a traditional period horror film that emphasizes psychological tension and historical context. It explores the psychological breakdown of its characters during the Victorian era. The film does not delve deeply into multiple aspects of identity, focusing instead on individual experiences within a homogeneous setting.

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Category Breakdown

Does Hands of the Ripper have LGBTQ+ representation?

Minimal

The film follows a strict focus on straight relationships, with no representation of diverse sexual orientations or gender identities.

How does Hands of the Ripper portray gender?

Limited

Women in the film are often shown as victims of violence or bearers of trauma. Anna, a central character, faces complications due to external influences that affect her autonomy.

How racially and ethnically diverse is Hands of the Ripper?

Minimal

The film portrays a uniform London, emphasizing class differences without showcasing racial or ethnic diversity among the characters.

How does Hands of the Ripper represent religion and culture?

Fair

The story criticizes the Victorian era's institutional authority, depicting medical and police establishments as disconnected. It centers on individual psychological decline rather than broader political ideologies.

Does Hands of the Ripper include disability representation?

Limited

Psychological instability and fragmentation are used to create horror and suspense, serving genre needs rather than offering a detailed look at neurodivergence.

Present on Screen

Critiques the ineffectiveness of Victorian-era institutions such as medicine and law enforcement.
Highlights the socioeconomic disparities and class divisions in late 19th-century London.

Limited or Absent

Lacks representation of racial and ethnic diversity, presenting a predominantly Anglo-centric narrative.
Uses psychological instability primarily for horror purposes, rather than exploring neurodivergence with depth.
Positions women primarily as victims of violence or psychological instability, reinforcing traditional gender roles.

Official Synopsis

A series of murders occur that mirror those committed by the Whitechapel Ripper. Through his experiments with psychoanalysis Dr Pritchard discovers a deadly violence in one of his young female patients. As he delves into the recesses of her mind he uncovers that Anna is possessed by her dead father's spirit, willing her to commit acts of gruesome savagery over which she has no control. But the most chilling revelation of all is the identity of her father: Jack the Ripper himself.

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