ASSAULT! JACK THE RIPPER (1976) Review by Steve Kirkham

ASSAULT! JACK THE RIPPER (1976)
4 stars
88 Films. Blu Ray. 24th March
Original Japanese title: Bōkō Kirisaki Jakku

In a restaurant Yuri (Tamaki Katsura) is working as a waitress — when an older man tries to hit on her, she deliberately drops his drink on him. She is berated by the boss lady, but also noticed by Ken (Yutaka Hayashi) who works in the kitchen. To his shock she pushes his palette knife into the wedding cake he has just finished!

At closing time it’s raining and she asks Ken for a lift (even though he actually lives at the cafe). He agrees and they are driving in the downpour when he has to slam on the brakes as there is a girl standing in the road that asks for a lift.

Rather surprisingly, she strips off in the back of the car, and starts to rub leftover cake and cream icing over her bare chest. As you do. She then slices her arm open with a palette knife. To cap off her weird behaviour the mystery girl produces a handful of razor blades. Understandably, he throws her out of the vehicle — she grabs hold as he tries to drive off. Stopping, they realises she is dead — and the duo decide to dispose of the body in an abandoned car junk yard. Dragging her body they manage to cut her open in the process.

Back at Yuri’s flat she strips off to dry off, and they have passionate sex, driven but what they have just done.

The next day Ken is stand offish towards her, so she picks up an older man — he sees them later having rampant intercourse in the guy’s car. However, she abandons him and goes with Ken, but their sex session is unsatisfactory. It’s not the same as the previous night… she suggests they kill again when they next have a day off! Yuri is the driving force, as they target young women and go on a killing spree to feed their passion, though before long he is just as engaged in their series of grisly murders.

Made as part of Nikkatsu Roman Porno films — also known as Violent Pink — it’s certainly a strange conglomeration. Mixing female nudity, sex and gore this is a twisted outing that isn’t exactly what you would called politically correct! And certainly not one for the easily offended, with its depictions of rape and often tasteless killings. And no, this has nothing to do with the famous serial killer, despite it’s title. According to the extra ‘Body and Blood’, it drew inspiration from a non-fiction book by Colin Wilson about murderers, plus mixing in things like American B movies. This is a sexy slasher, colourfully shot by Masaru Mori and makes for an interesting addition to 88 Films Asia Collection. There is an odd music score by Hajime Kaburagi.

Steve Kirkham

EXTRAS
3 stars
Audio commentary by Amber T and Jasper Sharp

Body and Blood: a good intro to the film by Kei Chiba, author of ‘Introduction to Nikkatsu Roman Porno. It does go over the a bit too much of the film in it’s overview so best viewed after watching the movie (11 mins)