Stars: Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson, Jason Flemyng, Susan Lynch, Paul Rhys, Lesley Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge, Terence Harvey

Director: Allen Hughes

Summary: Set in London during 1888, this is the story of Inspector Fred Abberline who is on the hunt for Jack The Ripper. As Fred gets nearer to uncovering the truth he becomes deeply involved with the case...

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.

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Heavy on atmosphere and light on everything else, From Hellis 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 Hellis only marginally thrilling as it treads familiar territory.--Jeff Shannon

On the DVD:From Hellon 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

Main Language:	English
Region:	Region 2
Year:	2001
Release Date:	October 13, 2003
Runtime:	117 minutes
Certification:
Catalogue Number:	22231 V D V D
Keywords:	Hell, General, From, Drama, Thriller
Genre:	Thriller