Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2476 in DVD
• Released on: 2003-10-13
• Rating: Suitable for 18 years and over
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: PAL
• Original language: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 117 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Heavy on atmosphere and light on everything else, From Hell is visually impressive while lacking the depth of the acclaimed graphic novel it's based upon. Making their third feature since 1993's Menace II Society, twins Allen and Albert Hughes approach the Jack the Ripper case with physical precision, re-creating the gritty Whitechapel district of 1888 London in meticulous detail. What they've forgotten is the sheer terror that gripped Whitechapel in the wake of the Ripper's slaying of five prostitutes, investigated here by a Scotland Yard sleuth (Johnny Depp) who uses opium, laudanum and absinthe to fuel his semi-prescient visions of the slayings. Heather Graham attempts a slippery Cockney accent as a would-be victim, while Ian Holm steals the show as a has-been surgeon with devilish delusions of grandeur. Violence is obliquely suggested or briefly graphic, but no matter how you cut it, From Hell is only marginally thrilling as it treads familiar territory.--Jeff Shannon

On the DVD: From Hell on disc is presented in widescreen 16:9 glory with atmospheric DTS or Dolby Digital 5.1 sound options. The animated menus look nice but are more than a little confusing. The 23 deleted scenes, including an alternative ending, are all offered in black and white with commentary and justification for the cuts by Albert Hughes. Film commentary is offered by Albert Hughes, screen writer Rafael Yglesias, cinematographer Peter Deming and Robbie Coltraine.

Disc 2 has a wealth of information including a "Victim/Suspect File" which takes you through Jack the Ripper theories from the 19th-century police investigation to modern speculations, including Allen Hughes' Elephant Man theory! The Production Notes show the locations in Prague and the "Tour of Whitechapel" is a murder-by-murder set visit with the Hughes brothers. There's a feature on the original graphic novel; "Absinthe Lovers" offer an insight into the psychedelic drink; and, finally, the HBO special "A View from Hell", with Heather Graham, is standard promotional fare.--Nikki Disney

Synopsis
FROM HELL is a gory detective film cloaked in Victorian-era mystique. The movie shows how the serial killer Jack the Ripper stalked the dark streets of 1888 London, slaying prostitutes and crudely dissecting their bodies. Based on the graphic novel written by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell, this moody chiller is directed by twin brothers Albert and Allen Hughes (MENACE II SOCIETY, AMERICAN PIMP). Johnny Depp stars as Inspector Frederick Abberline, who smokes heavy doses of opium and drowns himself in absinthe to evoke hallucinatory visions that are his clues to catching the Ripper. Heather Graham co-stars as the prettiest of the floozies, who wins the muted affections of the inspector. With plenty of atmosphere and spooky effects, FROM HELL borrows scenery, filming tricks, and sequence construction from a host of popular movies, resulting in a visually interesting style. Haunting nighttime shots of the London skyline (actually Prague) bleed into shadowy Tim Burton-like prowls through the damp cobblestone streets; aerial camerawork contrasts with crowded ground-level focuses; and the camera peeks around corners and into foggy windows with stealthy curiosity. What may stand out most in viewers minds after the carnage is through, is the exaggerated use of surround sound, which brings a dreadful sense of reality to the film's gore, making FROM HELL all the juicier.

Customer Reviews

a great film showing Johnny Depp at his best,recommended
Johnny Depp plays a detective who is addicted to Opium.While spaced out he has dreams that have a habit of coming true.He sees faces and events involved in murders that he later has to investigate.The film tells the story of Jack the Ripper and gives a very believable account of a Royal being involved,along with freemasons and elements within the Police force trying to cover up a scandal that would lead straight back to the Queen.There is some bad language,a touch of nudity,a lot of violence,cleverly handled, but i think the 18 Cert is a little harsh.Both my wife and myself thoroughly enjoyed this film and we highly recommend it.

Utter garbage
a more pleasant evening would be had by watching the insides of ones eyelids. Why do the Americans insist that if a story's worth telling it's worth telling inaccurately. I would have walked out of the cinema, but unfortunately my legs had also gone to sleep. I give it 1 star, because 0 was not allowed

Not a patch on the graphic novel
Although it may be surprising to some, the graphic novel of the same name by Alan Moore, on which this film is based, has a lot more depth and interest than the film itself. Both the book and the film draw heavily on the work of Stephen Knight, who for me, falls into the category of 'conspiraloon' when it comes to Jack the Ripper explanations, with his credulity straining 'Dr William Withey Gull/Masonic conspiracy' theory (personally, I have always thought Francis Tumblety to be a far more likely suspect), but such speculations were forgivable in such a rich graphic novel which included, for example, some wonderful material on the architect Nicholas Hawksmoor.

The film is something of a travesty in comparison, with the middle aged Inspector Abbeline, played by Johnny Depp as a young opium addict who has visions about each murder. Not that I have anything against Johnny Depp, mind you, it is just that the film bears little resemblance to the very interesting source material, and suffers in comparison. Filmed in Prague, doubling for Whitechapel, it has a suitably realistic 19th century slum quarter look and may be enjoyable in its own right, but I would recommend reading the graphic novel.