Abberline in the movies

[Tom_Wescott]

The guy playing Godley in the Caine version comes off like a fag in a number of parts of it. Anyone else notice that? He also resembles Mr. Brady, which is not an insult, since the Brady Bunch is a classic. Just a couple of observations. Michael Caine chewed some scenery, but as for being too aggressive and bullying, I wouldn't know. I'm an american and we don't have that kind of behavior here. Jane Seymour was a babe way back in the day.

Yours truly,

Tom Wescott

[Sam Flynn]

The guy playing Godley in the Caine version comes off like a fag in a number of parts of it.

LOL! I think a few British women - and I daresay a few chaps - would raise a few eyebrows at Lewis Collins being thus described, Tom. His image, on and off screen, has always been pretty much the all-action type. See his Wikipedia entry here.

I recall the scene where Godley impersonates Lees and his camp demeanour, but that's about it. Elsewhere in the film, he seems a regular enough guy - although not as "regular" as Cadoche, who inexplicably makes no appearance in the movie. Perhaps he was unavoidably detained

[Jeff Leahy]

Although Depp's adaption is pathetic and as far from reality as a black tulip, I think Michael Caine's version of Abberline was disastrous - aggressive and a bully. I hated it. But worst of all, Caine was guilty of over-acting to the extreme.
A highly overrated performance and a pure example of bad acting.

All the best

Youve obviously never seen 'Jaws" three

At least Caine is honest..he simply never turns any roll down and goes with the part that offers the most money..a man I might add, after my own heart

[Glenn Lauritz Andersson]

Well, I have to give credit to Caine for really making his own mark on the Abberline character - for the first and only time in a movie context, Abberline was portrayed as an angry, sadistic psychotic, screaming at and threatening both witnesses and collegues with feriousity.
I readily admit, that was a very creative and unusual approach. No doubt i have never seen such an unsympathetic portrait of the old detective.

All the best

[kensei]

Well, I have to give credit to Caine for really making his own mark on the Abberline character - for the first and only time in a movie context, Abberline was portrayed as an angry, sadistic psychotic, screaming at and threatening both witnesses and collegues with feriousity.
I readily admit, that was a very creative and unusual approach. No doubt i have never seen such an unsympathetic portrait of the old detective.

All the best

I must disagree with the idea of Abberline being potrayed by Caine as "sadistic and psychotic." He got rough when he needed to, or when frustrated by what seemed to be roadblocks in his investigation. The scene where he beats up on John Netley in the jail cell is one of my favorites. Of course it was pure fiction and never really happened, but as pure escapism it totally rocked, and would have been expected if an accomplice of the Ripper had really been in custody. Then there were several moments such as the one where Chief Inspector Arnold was pressuring him to make an arrest and he snapped, "Do you want the killer or will anybody do?"

But don't forget the moments of real compassion. When talking to the distraught Bowyer after the finding of Mary Kelly's body, Abberline comforts him. "All right, old son. It's all right." A moment later a weeping friend of Mary's cries on his shoulder.

All in all I thought it was a very balanced performance within the context of such an emotionally charged situation.

[Mike Covell]

You make me wanna watch it again Kensei!

[detective abberline]

[QUOTE=kensei;18755]I've seen Abberline portrayed in film by Michael Caine (who was probably the most perfect choice in the world at that time, though they should have had him grow the facial hair).

Hi. IMO It was a great depiction of Abberline and a greqt depiction, generally, of the area at the time of the murders. The conclusion, IMO, was dare I say CRAP... which is why we still are here discussing Jack's murders.

[Mike Covell]

Sadly the studio's think the Royal Conspiracy puts "Bums on seats" and I fear we have not seen the last of it!

[Paddy Goose]

It's a movie.

Here we say "That's Hollywood." What would be the equivalent saying in the UK?

Paddy

[Mike Covell]

Erm, "Thats Hollywood" too!

We have large studio's but nothing on the scale of Tinseltown!

[Sam Flynn]

It's a movie. Here we say "That's Hollywood." What would be the equivalent saying in the UK?

"That's Cricklewood"?

Don't think we've got an equivalent, really

[Observer]

Hi

isn't there a song

"Hooray for Hollywood"

Bearing in mind the royal connection shouldn't this be

"Hooray for Holyrood"

Observer

[Mike Covell]

Here in Hull, which has recently featured on "Crap Towns", "Traffic Cops" and "Fergie goes to Fat Hull" or something like that, we call it "Hullywood"!

We have some great locations for filming, if the film is about crime, drugs and prostitution!

Wait a minute, "Ullywood" the "H" has been stolen for firewood on a local BBQ!

[Paddy Goose]

Kapoozelum

"Hooray for Hollywood" Bearing in mind the royal connection shouldn't this be "Hooray for Holyrood"

What then of the Clarence book.

I never could get it straight, was it a poem by Mr. Stephen, or an ancient drinking song, that dittie Kapoozelum?

Paddy

[Glenn Lauritz Andersson]

I must disagree with the idea of Abberline being potrayed by Caine as "sadistic and psychotic." He got rough when he needed to, or when frustrated by what seemed to be roadblocks in his investigation. The scene where he beats up on John Netley in the jail cell is one of my favorites. Of course it was pure fiction and never really happened, but as pure escapism it totally rocked, and would have been expected if an accomplice of the Ripper had really been in custody. Then there were several moments such as the one where Chief Inspector Arnold was pressuring him to make an arrest and he snapped, "Do you want the killer or will anybody do?"

But don't forget the moments of real compassion. When talking to the distraught Bowyer after the finding of Mary Kelly's body, Abberline comforts him. "All right, old son. It's all right." A moment later a weeping friend of Mary's cries on his shoulder.

All in all I thought it was a very balanced performance within the context of such an emotionally charged situation.

I completely disagree.
I got tired of Caine's screaming and over-acting alteady half-way through the film. I guess it's all a matter of personal preferences but the Abberline character that Caine plays in the film is a really intimidating guy and very unsympathetic and who seem to enjoy harrassing ordinary people, including witnesses - almsot on the border of being psychopathic. Definitely not someone I would like to have as a boss, even by 19th century standards.
If you think Caine's portrait is 'balanced' then you must have flunk in psychology class.

All the best