From Hell [Blu-ray]

This is one of my favorite Jack the Ripper conspiracies turned into a movie!It’s so believable.I loved Graham as an author her acting is absolutely wonderful, Johnny Depp was perfect in this movie as well as Robbie Coltrane (Hagrid from Harry Potter) Ian Holm played his role so well it was almost believable that he was in fact some crazed, murderous Victorian era doctor!This is a must watch and trust me you won’t be disappointed!

Please note: I'm here reviewing the two-disc "Director's Limited Edition."It's hard to believe this movie's almost ten years old; seems like yesterday it was released, but it was filmed in 2001. Other than the fact that it co-stars Heather Graham (who hasn't co-headlined a major motion picture in quite some time), there's very little about this film which seems dated. In fact it's probably improved with age. Staying close to the template of "Se7en," producers-directors the Hughes Brothers adapt Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell's graphic novel with aplomb, bringing the late 19th Century to life in all its opium-den decadence.I'm sure a lot of viewers have issues with how this movie strays from the source material, but I prefer to look at it as a wholly separate entity. And it works well. In Moore's version the reader quickly knows who Jack the Ripper is, but the Hughes Brothers make this more of a traditional mystery. The viewer can, however, pretty easily figure out who the murderer is. You can expect that this film will be violent - any movie about Jack the Ripper would have to be - but it reminded me more of "Chinatown" than anything else. The web of intrigue, period details, and twisted conspiracies are all very well panned out and executed, making this much more than the grisly hackwork it could've become.Acting is good throughout - Johnny Depp is fantastic as usual in his role, as is Heather Graham, though I have to wonder why the producers couldn't at least have gotten an English actress for the role. The actor playing Jack the Ripper is as malevolent as you could want, and I love the detail of his expanded irises when he's in "Ripper" mode, as if he's a demon in human guise. The Hughes' directing is also stylish and confident - lots of tracking shots and well-done establishing shots which pull you into the sordid world of 1880s London. I also appreciate how they filmed the gruesome murder scenes, leaving much to the viewer's imagination. Again, this could've easily become some cheap gorefest, but the Hughes have made it a bit more highbrow, going for a macabre approach that works perfectly for the material. The things the Ripper did to his victims were unthinkable, and certainly unfilmable - certainly things I'd never want to see in a film, at least.But let's talk about the drugs. I'm all about the mystique of those Victorian-era opium dens, with the velvet walls and plush rugs and languorous addicts puffing away in contentment. Depp's character is an opium addict, so we get a few scenes in Chinese-operated dens, and the Hughes brothers bring these places fully to life. And since Depp's character solves his cases via opium-induced trances, we get a neat tripping scene, complete with worshipful close-ups of an opium pipe being prepared, fired up, and toked. But the later absinthe scene goes even further, and glorifies drug use moreso than any other scene in recent film. Depp prepares a glass of absinthe in the classic "Prague ritual" method, with laudanum-dosed sugar cube placed over a slotted spoon, doused with fire, and then plunged into the drink itself. This scene about made me want to rush out and buy an overpriced bottle of absinthe. In fact, I'm still considering it.I'd say this movie is a good purchase, as it is one you could watch at least a few times. The first viewing you're moreso occupied keeping up with who's who, figuring out who the Ripper is, and piecing together the strands of conspiracy. And it is an enjoyable movie, despite the subject matter and the numerous prostitute-butcherings. It even has a somewhat "happy" ending that doesn't seem tacked on just to appease the Middle American market.As for the DVD release, the movie is on disc 1 and looks and sounds great. Disc 1 also features a plethora of deleted scenes, none of which are more than two minutes long. There are about twenty of them, and they're basically little pieces that either set up scenes or provide more resolution for others. None of them stand out, and none of them were integral to the movie. That being said, since none of them are that pertinent, they could've easily been integrated back into the film, which would've truly given us the "Director's" edition promised on the cover. The only incongruous scene is the one that couldn't be integrated back into the film - an alternate ending which is the same as the one in the film itself, only taking place in a different location and a different time. It's filmed in a gorgeous Shanghai opium den (complete with a gorgeous and nude Chinese woman, about whose rear Hughes expounds upon at length in the optional commentary) and has some of the best shots in the film, but was understandably dropped in favor of the "real" ending.Disc 2 features several making-of documentaries, including one about the Moore/Campbell graphic novel, a "tour of the murder sites" (which is a tour of the film's set rather than the actual murder locations in London), a "first look" documentary hosted by Heather Graham (which features the most annoying camera pans and zooms this side of MTV), and an insider's view into absinthe (which was still illegal when this film was made, but is now legal pretty much everywhere...even here in the US! Yep, I'm gonna buy that bottle after all.).

Prior to owning this movie on DVD, I saw it in the theater and was taken, immediately, by its visual beauty...the recreation of Whitechapel is incredible, right down to the names of the streets and the attire of the extras. The Hughes brothers even managed to give the 'red sky' effect as an ode to contemporary inhabitants who said that the sky was blood red in the fall of 1888.I am deeply interested in the Jack the Ripper crimes and consider it to be, as many others do, the premier "whodunnit" of all time. I feel that those liuke me who have some interest and/or knowledge of the crimes and those who have never heard of Jack the ripper before seeing this movie will be impressed.Johnny Depp is wonderful as Inspector Abberline, right down to the East End accent he employs beleivably thorughout. Heather Graham (Mary Jane Kelly) is stunning to look at, although she is much too well kept and hygiene conscious to have been a prositute in 19th centruy London. Hollywood strikes again! This is and obvious deference to a beautiful star in an otherwise serious attempt to give historical accuracy to a period movie, if expected, although it must be said that the movie does not indulge most of the other main supporting actors and extras this way, i.e., these people look like residents of a slum who lived before the days of daily hygiene, dental care, etc.The theory of the murders that is proposed is a popular modern one, first visited in the movie "Murder by Decree". Personally, this theory is far fetched to me and most others who have looked at the case, if for no other reason than the fact that there is not the slightest bit of evidence that the five "canonical" Ripper victims even knew each other, much less being a close knit group of friends as portrayed in the movie.Ian Holm, as Doctor William Gull, is the star of this movie. He plays his part so smmothly and, at the end, his transofrmation is chilling and his descent into madness is both beleivable and stunning. Yet, the viewer may well empathize with him. Incredible.The actresses playing Catherine Eddowes, Liz Stride, Annie Chapman, and Polly Nichols are all very good. It is critical that we empathize with them and we do, especially Liz Stride and Catherine Eddowes (Lesley Sharp).My problem with the movie, as one who has substantial knowledge of the actual case, is the obvious and intentional historical inaccuracies that mar the movie. No, the movie is not rife with them, but those who know about the ripper case will be shocked to see a few things in an otherwise historically accurate picture. And I'm not talking about the theory of the case of the identify of the killer, which will always be open to disagreement. I'm talking about the demise of Inspector Abberline at the end of the film. Although cinematically well played, it will just bother some students of the case to see Inspector Abberline "dying" shortly after the cessation of the Ripper murders in the movie when the real Inspector Abberline lived for FORTY years after the last murder!There are other anachronisms, but they can be chalked up to cinematic license; for example Inspector Abberline is depicted as having "visions" of the killer induced by his opium habit. there is no historical evidence that Inspector Abberline had an opium habit, although allusions to his drinking have been made. The visions are a reference, I beleive, to the psychic Joseph Lees, who did come forth to help the police although his help was largely discounted. The Hughes brothers probably did not want to introduce another character and therefore choose to "combine" the characters and give Abberline the "visions".All in all, a very good movie and the features on the DVD are wonderful, especially if you are interested in the Ripper murders and don't have a lot of technical knowledge about them. Robbie Coltrane and Ian Richardson are also great in their roles (George Godley and Chief Warren, respectively).Although this movie is not as gory or graphic as one might think, it is not for the squeamish. The surprising ending will also be appreciated by students of the case who are familiar with some intriguing evidence from the actual murders (e.g. Mary Jane Kelly being seen by witnesses after she was murdered on Nov. 9th, 1888 and the alleged homosexuality of at least one of the victims) and does justice to realism, even if you don't agree with the conclusions.High recommended for those who know what they want to see about the Ripper murders.

This is an odd film. On the plus side it is dripping with production values. The scene setting and props would have eaten the entire British film budget for the year without American life-support and the cast is, cliché warning, stellar. The entirety of the British film industry must have appeared as supporting actors and famous faces abound on screen. Thank you America for all that funding. No complaints. This is all good. What is not so good is Mr Depp concentrating so hard on not using a Hollywood "British" excent it hurts. The story also is meh and I found myself looking at my watch before the end. As a film, it's a curiosity worth seeing once.

If you're a stickler for historical accuracy or feel that screen adaptations of graphic novels must be completely faithful to the source material, you should probably steer clear of 'From Hell', If, however, you want a well acted, visually stunning and thoroughly absorbing film about the Jack the Ripper murders, this ticks all the right boxes.Originally released in 2001, 'From Hell's' plot is based on the widely discredited, but highly entertaining royal/masonic conspiracy theory. Johnny Depp and Heather Graham are excellent in the lead roles of Detective Abberline and Mary Kelly (even if the former's accent sounds closer to Australian than Cockney at times!) and are ably assisted by a strong supporting cast, all in flawless period costume. The dark, eerie streets of Victorian Whitechapel have been beautifully recreated with a creepy atmosphere throughout, though the film majors in gore rather than genuine scares.The picture and sound quality of this Blu-ray are superb and a definite improvement on the Special Edition DVD, despite being comparatively light on extras. Highly recommended to anyone interested in the Whitechapel murders of 1888 and fans of dark, atmospheric crime drama's in general.

Hold my hands up, I am a big fan of Johnny Depp, not just the voice and handsome features but his outstanding catalogue of characters. This is a great title which befits Jack the Ripper to a tee , so you are warned from the title what to expect, I wasn't disappointed it well represents the Victorian era along with the many books of Charles Dickens. They kept to the gruesome murders pretty well , you have to have much sympathy with the young desperate women shown by the inspector as the film goes along . The cast members all live up to their parts and it moves along very well. Not historical accurate but another view of the man from hell,well worth a watch. Any insight into JD acting ability , view The Libertine and you'll be in no doubt that Marlon Brando quoted him the greatest actor of his generation

The film recieved mixed reviews when it came out a few years ago, i read alot of people saying it was more style over substance, i have to say i disagree.For a start the cast is fantastic, Depp, Holm, Coltrane, Graham are all great, but to be honest Ian Holm is the star here, his effortless acting shines throughout this film. Depp is as cool and collective as ever and Coltrane a good side kick. The weakest is Heather Graham, this is probably down to her dodgey cockney accent and i think the fact she looks uncomfortable doing it makes it sound worse than it could be.The story is well written, despite having a few plot holes and a silly romantic sub-plot which doesnt detract from the film but its needless realy and adds nothing to it. Its based on one of several theories of Jack the Ripper, it will please some lovers of the now infamous legend of the Ripper, but the sometimes lack of depth or real horror will also annoy others.Indeed it has style and bags of it, its well made and looks amazing and edgey throughout. Dark corners and brilliantly lit scenes give it an almost uncomfortable feel to the movie.All in all its a great film and worth a watch, wether your a thriller/horror fan or a fan of Depp or Holm.Now for the Blu-ray itself.The transfer is fantastic, Blu-rays are like a minefield at the moment, some half baked transfers are out there that realy do not improve on the DVD release, this however has been done with alot of effort.Most of the film is dark and the blu-ray edition realy makes the most of it, the darkness is deep and the colors vibrant when needed. The sound quality is fantastic too, with the excellent sound track (not the horrible teckno pap used on the trailer) looming in the background throughout.Feature wise its a bit thin on the ground, trailers and the usual basic stuff but for £5 you cannot complain.Well worth a place in anyones Blu-ray collection.

I never usually write reviews, but want to help potential buyers to not be confused/mislead by the publlicity spiel on this "Difiinitive Edition" of From Hell.I was one of several people I know, thinking this will be an extended 'director's cut' with more scenes in the movie... it is not. If you have the original version - and want more film-play - don't waste your money on this version.The plus points are - the sound is crisp and clear - unlike the audio woolyness of the earlier versions, which had pivotal scene speach being really hard to understand. Also, the visuals are probably clearer than earlier versions.Those are the only things making this version worth buying to replace an earlier version you had.