"From Hell" starring Johnny Depp

[Chris Scott]

"From Hell" must, in my opinion, like any other film or, indeed, any other artistic endeavour, be taken on its own terms and judged within the framework of what it set out to achieve. As it was firmly based on a graphic novel I don't think anyone would or should expect it to be an academically accurate retelling of the events of 1888. It is fiction based on the events of the Ripper case, and has to be seen and judged in those terms. The character and life experiences of the Depp Abberline could hardly be further from the real life Fred Abberline. I am a great admirer of Johnny Depp (Ninth gate is my favourite film of his) and I think that in "From Hell" he did great justice to this FICTIONAL role.
My problem with the 1988 Michael Caine television mini series was the claim made at the beginning of the programme. This asserted that the program was based on extensive research (which was certainly true from some of the recreations) but also that the makers of the programme were convinced that their conclusion as to the perpetrator was historically sound and constituted an authentic "solution" to the case. Of course, their version of events was nothing of the sort.
Both the Depp and Caine versions are, in my opinion, good as ENTERTAINMENT but not as historical narrative. The Depp version does not purport to be - that is the difference.
It still amazes me that we do not have an accurate and unglamourised version of the events in 1888.

[Gman992]

Conspiracy theories sell...real facts don't...(one of these days I'm going to write an article on the conspiracy industry....)

[tredstoneguy]

I saw the movie after hearing about it on ripper cast n hearing how in acret it was, i thought it was a grate horror movie to watch around Halloween nothing more, i woodent recommend as a good ripper film, as a bloody horror film sure. i hope that when pepole see this movie n if afterword thay are interested in the ripper case thay find casebook n get the right facts, or at lease the best facts we know and not the so called ''facts'' that Hollywood showed us.

[kensei]

Just tonight I was discussing with my girlfriend how long it's been since Johnny Depp has played a "normal looking" character in a film. Captain Jack Sparrow, Sweeney Todd, Willie Wonka, and now the Mad Hatter in "Alice in Wonderland." Now there is an unconfirmed rumor about him as the Riddler in the next Batman film. At least in "From Hell" he looked more or less like himself.

[Suzi]

Johnny D- lovely as ever but come on chaps a fairly crap film apart from some lovely street/Gull scenes. I can never forgive the 'end scene'- FFS the wrong way round was a start!

[LongLiz]

I apologize to any fan, but i hate it more than any other film.... Elizabeth Stride was not a lesbian and the fact that they "made" her a lesbian is really offensive for her and Polly (since she kissed her) That's really pathetic...I mean, she had 2 boyfriends at the same time!

I just wish i could smash the face of whoever had that pathetic idea...

[Gman992]

Actually they filmed it in Prague...they created a whole entire backlot and used CGI to fill in the background. The Hanbury murder scene was a small narrow backyard. In the movie, it looks like an open field...

[j.r-ahde]

Hello you all!

Well, the critics were complaining about Heather Graham not speaking cockney. Why?! Since the original Mary Kelly obviously spoke with an accent mixed with Welsh and Irish...

From Hell does present a rather good movie, but the conlusions are just fiction!

All the best
Jukka

[Baldwin]

Hell

Depp is not my first choice to play a hardened cockney copper. Ian Holm however, was very classy and deadly
My first post ever in this forum

[spyglass]

A better version of the story told in "From Hell" is the film "Murder by Decree" made in the 70's, although the villains in the film have had their names changed for some reason, but still enjoyable.

[ianincleveland]

As others have said some of the settings are good but as for accuracy it leaves an awful lot to be desired.Although the 88 miniseries with Michael Caine isnt exactly that accurate compared to "from Hell" at least it has the thing in chronological order

[spyglass]

The hanbury street murder location scene in the film is spot on, its as if they filmed it in the actual place, the same goes for the ten bells and Millers court (apart from the interior ) so the film does have its merits.

[Jason]

From Hell is on tonight at 10 pm on channel 5, got to be better than watching the usual tripe on telly

[Phil Carter]

Listen here, Covell-Kosminski....the one sure thing we do know about this g-ddamned Case is that no one...no one,you hear me...can afford grapes in the East End. ...

Hello Howard,

Except possibly the killer, with more money than the woman he killed... and that isn't hard...is it? Perhaps paid for with a florin, a shilling or a tanner, it's luxury to one used to penny's, threepenny pieces, halfpenny's, farthings and groats. We don't KNOW what the killer's economic state was, and can therefore not assume anything. There were, WITHIN the East End, people with fair economy. Lots of them infact.

best wishes

Phil

[Hunter]

Reality

Its a great movie for atmosphere and the attention to detail paid to things like sets,locations and costumes etc. As far as accuracy goes then obviously not, but I think it was clear that they were shooting for entertainment as opposed to historical fact.

Now Sox, you know that hollywood always strives for accuracy- just look at the JFK movie by Oliver Stone. Its being shown in the public schools here in the U.S. like a documentary.

And Johnny Depp- rumor has it that he's going to play Hank Williams Senior in a movie about his life. Can't be worse than George Hamilton in "Your Cheatin' Heart" I guess. God love tinseltown.

Best Wishes,
Hunter