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- From Hell - US DVD -  

According to From Hell, Jack the Ripper can be credited with the following 
quotation, "One day men will look back and say I gave birth to the twentieth
century". This was 1888. Even twelve years before the twentieth century began
a madman may have had insight to the brutal century which ended only a few 
years ago.
'From Hell' is a gripping account of the murders committed by one of the most 
notorious serial killers our world has produced. Many theories have been discussed
concerning whom this infamous killer really was. This remarkable movie has an 
interesting twist on the murders. 
The Ripper case was never officially solved. 
Was this caused by a high-level government conspiracy? 
'From Hell' makes no bones about it. The trail of government deceit finds its 
way and receives its blessing, from the British throne. I do not wish to spoil
the plot. So I will not tell you exactly what happens and whom the movie identifies
as The Ripper.
The Hughes Brothers (Dead Presidents, Menace II Society) create a realistically 
glum depiction of late nineteenth century London. Their attention to detail is 
astonishing.
Life for the masses is bitter and dismal. Those unfortunate enough to live in the
slums have little hope to find a way out of this dreadful situation. The streets 
are filled with the homeless, beggars, and prostitutes. It is not a pretty sight. 
The story is well put together. A group of prostitutes become the target of a 
brutal and ruthless killer. The reason they are marked is unnerving. Ann Crook 
(Joanna Page) one of the street walkers, has a secret. She gave birth to a baby 
girl. The very existence of this child may cause turmoil to Queen Victoria's 
ability to hold her empire together. Poor Ann is kidnaped and tortured into telling
whom else may know of the child.
As soon as the murders begin, we know the British government is involved in some 
manner.
Johnny Depp is cast as Inspector Fred Abbeline. The inspector has a talent that may 
assist him in solving the case. He has visions. Normally he has these visions while 
he is under the influence of Opium or one of its derivatives. Abbeline spends time 
in Opium houses 'Chasing the Dragon'. Depp gives a convincing performance. His 
character does not wish to be bound by late nineteenth century British customs. 
Fred Abbeline wants to solve the case, even if it costs him his position. Abbeline
has to balance himself between the closed society of the lower class which includes
prostitutes and cut-throats and the upper class of gentlemen, Royalty, and secretive
Freemasons. To further complicate the issues, Abberline is a widower who begins to
have feelings for one of the hookers.
The movie is visually disturbing. I liked the manner in which the directors display
the killings. Several are shown through the Opium-cluttered brain of Inspector Abbeline. 
These scenes are stunning, graphic, stylish, and over the edge. Other scenes show 
the Ripper committing the slayings. 
The Hughes Brothers paint a realistic and vivid picture of the brutal deaths. 
The heartlessness does not end with the murder. The Ripper purposely mutilates the 
corpses in the most obscene means possible. It is just not the graphic murders and 
mutilations that give us a nauseating feeling. Several scenes really show the talents
of these unique directors. A morgue scene is enough to cause most to gag. The mutilated
body of a victim is not shown. Watching the coroners assistant faint, the coroner hold
back vomit and listening to the description of the mutilation have the necessary effect.
Ann Crook receiving a primitive form of a lobotomy will turn most viewers stomach. 
The corpses all appear real. They are more than actresses with make up. They looked
dead to me. Everything that is meant to disturb us does so. But this movie is too 
clever and well done to rely solely on gore.
The acting is quite good. Depp is on target as the sardonic and intelligent Inspector
Robbie Coltrane plays Sergeant Godley, Abbelines assistant. Godley initially seems 
that he may be a bumbling side kick. He is not. Both actors play off one another and 
successfully make two opposite characters mesh. 
Ian Holm is fantastic as Sir William Gull, a physician to the Royal Family. 
Jason Flemyng gave the best performance. He adeptly plays Netley, a simple-minded 
carriage driver who becomes a key player in the murders. 
Heather Graham is cast as prostitute Mary Kelley. 
Here is where I found a flaw in the movie. At times she did not come across well as 
an impoverished hooker. She is a talented actress, but did not fit well into this role.
The other prostitutes had the look the part of destitute and penniless women in a world
that couldn't care less.
Mary Kelley often looked too immaculate. Her hair was washed and brushed. Her face and
clothes were too clean. This might be a minor point in such a exceptional movie, but 
it caught my attention.
The version I watched was the Directors 'Limited Edition'. 
Some great stuff is included in this 2-disc set. The movie is shown in anamorphic
widescreen. The audio can either be selected as English 5.1 DTS, English 5.1 Surround,
French Dolby Surround, Spanish Dolby Surround. 
English subtitles are available with the Spanish and French versions.
A full length commentary with directors Albert and Allen Hughes, Screenwriter
Rafael Yglesias, Cinematographer Peter Deming, and actor Robbie Coltrane is included. 
Also included is an interactive investigation called 'Jack the Ripper:6 Degrees of
Separation'. Quite a bit of information is available here.
Police documents and photos are shown. Different theories of the murders and who
committed them are discussed. The Hughes Brothers also take us on an informative
tour of the murder sites. 
'A View From Hell,' an HBO featurette hosted by Heather Graham is also available.
This featurette brought out something that I had thought about while watching 
'From Hell'.  
The Hughes Brothers are normally associated with movies that depict conditions 
on contemporary streets. They took these issues and showed how mankind may have 
not changed so much in more than a hundred years. 
Many of the issues addressed in this movie are prevalent today. Racism, violence,
murder, indifference toward victims, and mistrust of the government are all mixed
into the plot.  
Today, serial killers terrify and fascinate us. The Hughes Brothers did an 
excellent job in showing us that the darkness of humanity is something that may
never change. When I first heard about this movie, I avoided it because of the
directors. I thought they were the wrong for this type of story. Okay, I was 
mistaken. I highly recommend 'From Hell'. It is not just for horror fans.
Those who do not enjoy disturbing subject matter should stay away. More extra's
than I mentioned are included. If you have a genuine interest in 'Jack the 
Ripper', make sure you pick up the Limited Directors Version. It will fascinate
you and fill up a large chunk of your weekend.
After watching this great DVD, I would recommend reading Robert Blochs 'The Night
of the Ripper'. I would be interested in whose take on The Ripper you agree with 
more, if either.

Reviewed By Scal Williams.

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