Watch The Ripper

The Ripper is a British true crime documentary series that explores the harrowing murders committed by the 'Yorkshire Ripper' in the late 1970s. The series is directed by Jesse Vile and produced by Netflix, and was released on the streaming platform in late 2020. The series consists of four episodes, each running for approximately sixty minutes. The Ripper tells the story of the murders of thirteen women in the north of England, committed by Peter Sutcliffe between 1975 and 1980. Through interviews with police officers, victims' families, and surviving victims themselves, the series delves into the investigation, the mistakes made by the police, and the impact the murders had on the local community.

The series begins with the discovery of the first victim, Wilma McCann, and the subsequent investigation into her murder. The documentary examines Sutcliffe's modus operandi and the clues that should have led to his capture much earlier than he was eventually apprehended. The episodes go on to explore the subsequent murders which followed, including the murder of Irene Richardson, in which a witness described a man wearing a distinctive 'cowboy' style hat. Despite this important piece of information, the police failed to follow up on the lead, and Sutcliffe remained at large.

Throughout the series, there is a sense of frustration and anger towards the police handling of the case. The investigation was plagued by errors and oversights, which allowed Sutcliffe to evade capture for far longer than he should have. The series highlights the impact of this on the public's trust in the police force and the alienation felt by the local community. Many interviewees express their disbelief that Sutcliffe was able to continue killing for so long without being caught and their sorrow for the victims and their families.

The documentary also explores the social context of the murders, including the limitations placed on women's lives and their safety at the time. Through interviews with feminist activists and scholars, it explores the wider implications of the case and the ways in which it reveals societal attitudes toward women. Despite the gravity of its subject matter, The Ripper is compelling to watch, and it has been well received, with critics praising its compassionate treatment of the victims and their families, as well as its exploration of the wider social and cultural context of the murders.

The series is a gripping and thought-provoking exploration of one of the UK's most notorious crime cases, and its impact on both the victims' families and the wider community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of thorough, compassionate, and efficient investigative work, and the devastating impact of violence on individual lives and society as a whole. Given the subject matter, it goes without saying that the series contains some distressing content, but it handles it with sensitivity and care, making it a worthy addition to the true crime genre.

The Ripper is a 2019 horror movie with a runtime of 6 minutes.