@Magic Marmalade
I'm a big fan of Rik Mayall and it was his attempt to break America. I think Phoebe Cates was a great choice, but as you say the script was too vulgar and mean to have a huge international appeal.
However, I saw it when I was about 10 years old and loved it then. I'm not doubting the acting is great from all involved and the plot hasn't really been done since. I can see the Tim Burton style, as well as Alice in Wonderland and Rik Mayall's own violent brand of slapstick.
I think where Rik Mayall failed to break America Simon Pegg succeeded. Both appeared in Guest House Paradiso which I found disappointing and they were both distributed by Vinegar Syndrome.
I think ultimately Rik Mayall was seen as a bit of an unlikely sex symbol and the best vehicle for him for international appeal might have been his Rik Mayall Presents series.
The title screen is a projection within the film hence the letterboxing and rare for a film of this age are about 12 minutes in. For anyone trying to see it is available on Amazon in some countries.
Fun fact Jack The Ripper was produced for television by Thames Television, but they had the hindsight to shoot on film (35mm I think); this means the Blu-Ray looks incredible and was perfect for remastering. I've seen made for TV films that were produced 20 years later and look shocking due to them being shot on video or studio VT cams.