Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5359 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

Clever blend of fact and fiction
This is without doubt the best Jack The Ripper movie that's been made yet. Having missed it during its cinema run but having heard a lot about the movie, I rented "From Hell" when it came out on DVD. I was disappointed with the rental version but only for one reason: none of the extras were present! So I took the plunge and bought the DVD 2-disc set. Prior to watching the movie, I knew very little about any of the details of the Whitechapel murders that took place in 1888 although of course - like everyone else - I'd heard of Jack The Ripper.

Seeing the movie prompted me to seek out more information about the Jack The Ripper case. I had a feeling, whilst watching the movie, that certain liberties had been taken - for dramatic effect - and I was proved right when I discovered some of the facts about the real case (such as Inspector Abberline being a lot older than Depp's characterisation and living well into his '80s!)

The film sets are stunning - a perfect recreation of the grimy, filthy East End of London in Victorian time. The extras on the 2nd disc reveal that the Hughes Brothers had initially planned to film in the streets of Prague in the Czech Republic but it was impractical so a 'replica' of Whitechapel 1888 was built from scratch! The murder sites are re-created with incredible accuracy. This project was undoubtedly a labour of love for the Hughes Brothers and it paid off handsomely.

The movie itself is brilliant. Quite simply put, it's one of the best films I've seen in the last couple of years. Now I'm quite squeamish but I managed to make it through to the end with hardly any head-turns. The ghastly acts of the Ripper are not shown to us in great detail and respect must go to the Hughes Brothers for not selling out and making this another gore-filled 'slasher' flick. The tension and the suspense is all there, underpinned by awesome orchestrated music from Trevor Jones. Depp is on form as usual (with a very convincing East End accent) but it's seasoned British veteran actor Ian Holm who arguably steals the film.

An under-rated gem of a movie which should be on any serious movie collector's shelf.

A new angle to the Ripper
With a new angle I don't mean the theory about who Jack the Ripper was. The theory expounded in this film apparently goes back to 1976, but of that anon.

The new angle here is how the film tells its story. The perspective is one from the streets, focusing on life in Whitechapel. Most of the beginning of the film is told from the prostitute's point of view, only later does Abberline come in and slowly take over the role as lead. That makes the film very evocative - another major strength. The atmosphere is so tense and eerie the whole way through, with only very little bright light (e.g. when Abberline and Mary Kelly meet during the day), most of the film being cast in shadows and dark red hues.

The theory itself is an interesting one (even if the Ripper turns out to be one of the usual suspects), certainly one that's hard to guess from the outset, even if you have dabbled in Ripperology.

What I also liked about the film (and I don't know to what extent this is taken from the graphic novel, not having read it) is that it also contains a story of impossible love before the backdrop of the murders, which gives the whole story and Depp's character (Inspector Abberline, played by Depp as always brilliantly) a depth and emotional power which would otherwise be missing.

A definite must have.

one, two, Jack's coming for you
I am studying jack the ripper at the moment, so I thought I would try this film out. It is not accurate, but that didn’t matter I was captivated. The sets are very close to what the streets would of looked like at the time and that gives the film great atmosphere.

The film may not be factually correct but that doesn't matter, it's a film and a good one at that. As a stand-alone horror its fantastic and a very good mystery film. Johnny Depp is great as usual but the real star is Ian Holmes who is fantastic and captivating. The film will have you guessing and hopefully get people interested enough to read up on the case, but if your just looking for a good chilled out horror film this is as good as any and I would highly recommend it. It is scary and tense and it doesn't just focus on the Jack the ripper case, more of what was happening around the time as well, its great fun. Considering it was adapted from a graphic novel, you don't expect it to be factual but as an adaptation it is brilliant and very close to the novels, the prostitutes also provide some laughs.

I urge you to see it, especially at the price Amazon have on offer, don't expect anything greatly factual just something fun and stylish.

The 2 disc version has a great documentary but it is expensive, this is substantial especially if your just buying this for a horror film, the special features on the special features on the 2 disc edition focus on the jack the ripper case rather than the film, so make your decision, I feel its a good film and a bit of fun.