Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell published a graphic novel called "From Hell". They began it in 1988, inspired by the centenary of the Jack the Ripper murders. The project was finally completed ten years later. Moore wrote the story and Campbell did the artwork.

This masterpiece has been made into a movie (2001) by Albert and Allen Hughes, twin brothers who began making movies at the age of 12. Together they have directed and produced "From Hell", "Scratch", "American Pimp", "Dead Presidents" and "Menace II Society".

This film stars Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, and Ian Richardson. It is a very dark movie set in Victorian London, 1888.

Everyone knows the Jack the Ripper story, but this movie takes it to a different level. It incorporates all the Whitechapel theories brought out in the graphic novel that it is based upon. "Theories" is the operative word here. This is a piece of fiction and not meant to educate, but to entertain. Some of the elements are true, but enough have been fabricated to make it fiction. There are many contradictions of historical fact in this film, but most of these are the result of having to compress the story to fit into a 122 minute movie. One example of this is when William Gull says that he is the Royal Family's physician-in-ordinary. In fact, Gull was the Royal Family's physician-in-extraordinary (the original comic book got this right). There were also a couple of errors concerning lighting in 1888. Electricity existed at this time, but was not common, and the lighting they show in library is not from this era. Also, some police officers are shown to be carrying flashlights, which didn't exist at this time. Fact or fiction, it's a grim journey back in time with the re-telling of the murders of several prostitutes in the filthy, dank, crime-ridden slum of Whitechapel, London.

Mary Kelly (Heather Graham) and her friends are just trying to survive, forced to make a living the only way available to women not fortunate enough to be married or wealthy. They all dream of better lives and know that their lives couldn't get much worse. One by one, their friends are being viciously murdered.

Inspector Fred Abberline (Johnny Depp) enters the investigation after Ann is kidnapped and Polly is murdered. He has the gift of clairvoyance and he uses his talents in his police work. In the process of working on the case, he and Mary become very close and fall in love. Another complication in Abberline's life is his addiction to narcotics. He frequents some pretty low places, as well, in his quest for the inner peace that the opium poppy promises, but never quite delivers. Sir William Gull is quick to perceive his addiction and comments, "So, Inspector Abberline, how long have you been "chasing the dragon?"

I think this film has a great "feel" to it. The sets are so perfect that you almost feel the dreary fog and smell the filthly squalor. You are pulled into the prostitutes' reality and you see them for the pitiful beings that they are and you cease to judge their lifestyle and you simply long for a better existance for all of them. You feel their pain and fear as the killer ritualistically butchers one girl after another. The music helps achieve the atmosphere of fear as well. Trevor Jones composed the original music and there's a song by Marilyn Manson, as well called "The Nobodies". That alone should strike fear into your soul.

Nigel Hawthorne was originally cast as Sir William Gull, but he was ill with cancer and when it progressed to the point he couldn't work, he was replaced by Ian Holm. Daniel Day-Lewis was the Hughes brothers' first choice for the role of Inspector Fred Abberline, but that fell through. They also interviewed Sean Connery, Jude Law and Brad Pitt before settling on Johnny Depp.

Johnny Depp was nominated for the Saturn Award by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films for Best Actor. The movie was nominated for the IHG Award by the International Horror Guild for best movie.

For those of you who would watch this film for it's gore and horror, you will be glad to know that there are quite a few scenes in it that will make you squeamish. I hope you have strong stomachs. Fans of this genre tend to be a tad desensitized in that area, but this thriller isn't rated "R" for strong violence, gore, sexuality, language and drug content for nothing. For me, this movie does what I expected of it. It scared and horrified me and was another great vehicle for Johnny Depp, who is fast becoming one of my favorite actors.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age