Born in 1982, doing the math I must have been 6 when I saw this. It scared the ass off me. It actually became one of my defining childhood nightmares. There was an interlude of about 12 or 13 years until my next viewing, when I was 18.
I remember I had been looking for it everywhere and could not find it, and although I was only 6 on my first viewing I could remember it being not only very scary but also very, very good. It kicked off a lifetime of interest in the subject matter, I think psychologically speaking I was trying to find out what it was that had scared me for so long!
Defining childhood memories (SPOILERS) from this movie:
Lees being run over by the black coach, particularly the "He's drunk! He's been drinking!" part
I'd like to loudly second the OP's talk about the music when the coach is charging through London - absolutely terrifying, and another disconcerting childhood memory, particularly one scene where the coach violently turns a corner (as the Ripper is en route to kill Stride)
The murder of Stride - this was a childhood terror part, I've been terrified of men in top hats ever since ;-)
"If the clock strikes, you'll turn to salt" - for some reason this warning had a profound impact on my childish mind - I was apprehensive for some time after about being around clocks at night.
The end of Part 1, when you get a glimpse of what is to come in Part 2, which culminates in a tall figure replete with top hat and suitcase walking down a dark alley at night, at the end of which is a lighted window with a woman's silhouette - I cannot tell you how much this two seconds of film terrified me as a child. It is indelibly burned at the back of my brain. If you were to ask me for my personal childhood bogeyman, it's that shadowy figure walking towards the woman in the window.
John Netley. I remembered all my life the "you're going to hang, Dr Netley!" line, that also gave me chills.
Sir William Gull talking about "cake"
The unveiling of the Ripper (of course), and the "Great Experiment!" line
The ending montage. I remember being freaked as a kid that John Netley died under the wheels of his own coach. I also remember being slightly alarmed that everyone in the movie (i.e. the characters) was long since dead.
So I saw it again, and now it's in my DVD collection. I love it. And yes, you're quite right, it IS still scary as hell.
Thank you OP, for posting this topic and giving me the chance for some typing therapy ;-)
"Now, fulfil your destiny, and take your father's place at MY side!"
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