From Hell (DVD 2004)

Folks, this is not a picnic you’re embarking on here. It’s dark and it stays in the dark - and it keeps you there. The good thing with cinema is that there is a scriptwriter who decides what’s going to happen, the problem with reality is that it’s irrevocable. And so here the script was irrevocably ‘written’ by the very real and very sick Jack the Ripper, a mysterious and never caught psycho/criminal who tore apart the flesh of a bunch of prostitutes in the London of the late nineteen century – the London of Conan Doyle. So what you expect is what you get – without mildness. It’s a film about insanity, secret societies, abominable crimes and police investigation. Johnny Depp leads the investigation with his best somber talent.

Even though we don’t see the ripping (it’s not a horror movie), we swim in their dire consequences like in sheer blood. This film makes you feel a little as if something atrocious was happening close to you, to your friends and family. There is a sordid atmosphere that permeates every sequence and floats all along. The kind of atmosphere where love cannot blossom – even though it will try.

If we’re talking cinema there is some artistry in the making. It’s certainly not a Hollywood movie with heavy stunts and an array of commonplaces. Rather the contrary. The directing is creative and its sensitive realism renders the action even more crude and horrid. There is even that little gaucherie that manages to add more realism – and entraps your emotions into futile hopes. The actors are superb and they give us rich interpretations. In its kind it’s a beautiful daring film, but we might wish to see all this talent put into somewhat more optimistic and hopeful enterprise.

So, if you’re not afraid of dark and devious atmosphere, well then this one was tailored for you.

Accurate? Probably not, but a great take on the Ripper story, brilliantly directed by the Hughes Brothers. Johnny Depp plays Inspector Fred Abberline, assisted in his search for the Ripper, by the excellent Robbie Coltrane as Peter Godley. Dark & atmospheric, with twists & turns, that'll keep you glued to your seat. A must watch.

As a keen RIPPEROLOGIST I simply had to have this. It's kind of an up-dated version of the now classic Michael Cane version following the same royal conspiracy. Depp is brilliant in is his role of the opium addicted Inspector Abberline, as is the stunning Heather Graham in her role of Mary Jane Kelly, the last of the so called canonical five murders (prepare for a cool twist here). Highly recommended.

The film is well written, made and acted. It tells a good (but not completely accurate) tale of what happened in London when Jack the Ripper was around. The film could easily be described as "dark" which is how you imagine London to be in that period of history. This may put some off, but it does not detract from the film - it can not be a happy-go-lucky brightly-lit film with feelgood factor! It feels realistic and will be thought-provoking to all who watch it.

I wanted to buy it because I saw it at the cinema and liked it.

very good, thought invoking Johnny Depp film. Inspector Abeline, played by Depp leads the investigation into the Jack the Ripper Killlings in Victorian London. Living on the fringe and frequently "chasing the dragon" to relax his mind Depp finds himself having visions about the killings. Conspiracies and cover ups are the order of the day in this film and his refusal to toe the line with his superiors lands him in trouble.

This was an amazing film.
Johnny Depp is my favourite actor and i know that the story of Jack the Ripper interests him so i was intrigued with his role.
Heather Graham is also very good as i have only seen her playing quirky roles but she played Mary Kelly extremely well

This is a Johnny Depp movie. No more, no less. Fantasticly moody and great acting. Bought it to use as an example about Jack The Ripper, and the movie takes in a lot of the theories surronding that character.

great dvd, new and sealed and fantastic price. fast delivery too
good communication from the seller shame all ebayers are not as helpful