One of the more infamous takes on the Jack the Ripper legend is getting a major home video upgrade this December. Cauldron Films has announced the worldwide 4K UHD debut of JACK THE RIPPER, the 1976 Euro-horror film directed by Jesús Franco and starring Klaus Kinski as history’s most notorious unidentified murderer.
Set in late 19th-century London’s Whitechapel district, the film follows a series of brutal murders targeting prostitutes. Inspector Selby (Andreas Mannkopff) becomes consumed with tracking down the killer, but the investigation takes a personal turn when his girlfriend Cynthia (Josephine Chaplin) finds herself in danger.
Franco’s take on the infamous case blends the foggy streets and Gothic atmosphere of classic European horror with the sex and violence that became a familiar part of his filmmaking. Kinski brings his own unsettling presence to the role, with Herbert Fux and longtime Franco collaborator Lina Romay also appearing.
WATCH THE TRAILER FOR “JACK THE RIPPER” BELOW
A New 4K Restoration And Plenty Of Extras
Cauldron Films is bringing the film to collectors in a Limited Edition 4K UHD and Blu-ray combo, featuring a new 4K restoration sourced from a scan of the negative and the best available materials. The 2160p presentation includes Dolby Vision HDR and HDR10 compatibility, while audio options include English 5.1 surround, 2.0 stereo and 2.0 mono, with optional English SDH subtitles.
The release also comes packed with supplemental material, including an audio commentary by Ryan Verrill and Dr. Will Dodson, an interview with actor Andreas Mannkopff titled He Caught Jack the Ripper, and Erwin C. Dietrich’s Tribute to Jess Franco’s Jack the Ripper. Collectors will also find the video essays Klaus the Ripper by Troy Howarth and Whitechapel Shadows by Eugenio Ercolani, along with a deleted scene and the theatrical trailer.
The Limited Edition packaging includes a rigid slipcase featuring artwork by Adam Perocchi of Readful Things, a folded poster and a full color booklet with liner notes by Dr. Stella Marie Gaynor and Troy Howarth.
JACK THE RIPPER arrives December 15, 2026, marking the film’s worldwide debut on 4K UHD. For fans of Klaus Kinski, Jesús Franco and the stranger corners of European horror cinema, this is one release worth keeping on the radar.
