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Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Ian Holm, Robbie Coltrane, Ian Richardson ... see more see more... , Jason Flemyng , Katrin Cartlidge , Terence Harvey , Susan Lynch , Lesley Sharp , Annabelle Apsion , Mark Dexter

The true-life horror story of Jack the Ripper gets a new spin in this screen adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. In 1888, a ruthless and cold-blooded killer beg... read more read more...ins hunting prostitutes in East London, and while the murderer's work is savage, the mutilation of his victims suggests the fiend has an extensive medical background. Amidst a background of political unrest and barely contained scandal among the royal family, the murderer's grisly exploits shock and frighten all of England, and one of Scotland Yard's top inspectors, Fred Abberline (Johnny Depp), is put on the case, along with his partner, Peter Godley (Robbie Coltrane). Abberline, depending on one's viewpoint, is either blessed or cursed with second sight, and while he blurs his ability to see future events with opium and other drugs, he still has an uncanny ability to ferret out dangerous criminals, which is put to the test as he and Godley search for the Ripper. As Abberline and Godley investigate the neighborhood where the crimes occur, they become acquainted with the prostitutes and street people who were friends and compatriots of the victims, and Abberline finds himself falling in love with Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), a beautiful Irish streetwalker. As Abberline tries to identify the killer before Mary Kelly can become the next victim, he and Godley have to contend with Sir Charles Warren (Ian Richardson), their superior who is keen to pin the murders on a culprit who isn't British, and Sir William Gull (Ian Holm), a respected physician who has his own ideas about the murders and the benefits of psychosurgery. From Hell marked a change of pace for Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes, the sibling directorial team best known for their gritty depictions of America's urban underground in such films as Menace II Society and Dead Presidents. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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70% liked it

180,605 ratings

Critics

57% liked it

148 critics

R, 2 hr. 17 min.

Directed by: Allen Hughes, Albert Hughes

Release Date: October 19, 2001

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DVD Release Date: May 14, 2002

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Stats: 8,107 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (8,107)

  • yona71
    September 25, 2010
    yona71
    In Victorian era London, troubled, absinthe addicted police detective Fred Abberline portrayed by Johnny Depp investigates gruesome murders in a slum known as Whitechapel.
    The victims are prostitutes who are easily targeted due to their lifestyle of walking the streets at night.... read more Since the suspect known as "Jack the Ripper" was never caught, the story is quite fictionalized with the exception of Fred Abberline who was indeed an actual inspector in 1888 London and an authority on this particular series of murders.
    We've heard it all about "Jack the Ripper" from being a freemason to royalty, but since no one was ever arrested and tried, "Jack the Ripper" could be just about any twisted individual with superior knowledge of the human anatomy.
  • FrizzDrop
    August 3, 2010
    FrizzDrop
    The most convulted, abysmal, and pathetic portrait you could muster under the stoyline's circumstances. Heather Graham's fake English accent almost made me scream.
  • bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    July 23, 2010
    bbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbbb1
    B-
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    June 9, 2010
    TheDudeLebowski65
    This film is based on the Jack The Ripper Whitechapel 1888 murders of 6 prostitutes. Based on Alan Moore's graphic Novel of the same, From Hell is a thrill a minute murder Horror/Thriller. The Hughes Brothers have directed this adaptations with flair. The film is a real nail bitt... read moreer and when the killer strikes, you can't help but jump out of your seat. Johnny Depp is as usual, excellent in this role of inspector Aberline. The movie as a whole should is a new type of "slasher" film. Or maybe is Slasher film to harsh a word to describe this film. From Hell is a violent and gory ride from start to finish, it will definitely twist you're senses from the inside out, but you'll definitely remember this film for it's shear realistic power.
  • MizturY0da
    April 23, 2010
    MizturY0da
    I had always been fascinated by the story of Jack the Ripper, but surprisingly this was my first film based on the story. From Hell is an outstanding mystery and a dark, moody film. This is the type of film that sticks in your mind days after seeing it. You'll have the image of o... read moreld Whitechaple in your head. You'll have the terrific murder scenes stuck in your head, but most of all you'll have the image of Jack the Ripper in your head. From Hell will disturb you. It might scare you, and it might even bore you (action fans will not enjoy this film). From Hell is certainly not for everyone, but it certainly was for me.

    Johnny Depp is fantastic. He is one of my favorite actors, and certainly delivers the goods in From Hell. His performance is perfect, and one of his bests yet. Heather Graham also does a fine job in From Hell. I was surprised with her performance. I'll admit, when I heard she was going to be in the film, I was worried. I mean who doesn't get worried when they find out the same actress who was in Austin Powers 2 is going to be in a Jack the Ripper film. But she did surprise me, although I still think she could have done better.

    The Hughes brothers direct this film with such style. The use of colors in the film is beautiful, as is the use of lighting. The camera angles are crazy, and the film turns out a beauty. Trevor Jones' score is great (As a matter of fact, I'm listening to it now), and fits the film perfectly. The music is eerie, creepy, and scary. It's flawless.

    The murder mystery is also great. It keeps you guessing the whole way through (I was not successful in guessing who Jack was), and when the killer is revealed, it all makes sense. And let me tell you, From Hell is violent! Although not as gory as I expected it to be, it'll still make you cringe (that throat slash!). A lot of the violence takes place off screen, which lets your imagination run wild, and mine did just that(My head was filled with tons of gory images).

    A lot of people call From Hell boring. I can see how they think that, but I disagree completely with that. Sure the film is slow moving, but how fast can a murder mystery movie be? I didn't get bored with the film at all... I was completely absorbed in the film. Another problem people found with this film was the love story, which I have to agree with. Had the love story been more developed, the ending would have been much more depressing, as we would have felt for the characters more (This could be what kept the film from an A+ rating).

    As I said before From Hell is great. It is my 3rd favorite film of the year, and my second favorite horror film (this year). It's a dark, compelling film, that is NOT FUN! There is no comic relief, it's all horror. Had it been a little more scary, and had the love story been more developed this film would be an A+. I highly recommend fans stay away, because you'll hate it.this film to fans of Jack the Ripper, and horror fans with patience. Action
  • romy861
    January 25, 2010
    romy861
    Not bad, though Heather Graham is a little miscast here.
  • ythelastman89
    November 20, 2009
    ythelastman89
    A good, though not very accurate, adaption of Alan Moore's vision of Jack the Ripper. Johnny Depp really played an interesting role that kept you entertained and intrigued. The film has a great style, pace and tone. I love the look of London, it is extremely eerie and haunting.
  • SirPant
    September 18, 2009
    SirPant
    Another case of the comic being much better than the film. This really is nothing special, it?s got loads of mistakes in it and some of the great cast members are totally wasted.
  • deano
    August 11, 2009
    deano
    This visually sumptuous horror thriller makes an excellent companion piece to Sleepy Hollow, with Johnny Depp starring as a tormented London police inspector whose opium habit produces (he believes) a glimpse into the depraved forces driving a serial killer dubbed Jack the... read more Ripper, in the autumn of 1888. The fascinating, detail-laden screenplay is adapted from the equally dense Alan Moore/Eddie Campbell graphic novel, and Martin Childs's superlative production design drags the viewer through the heart of London's slums. Although frequently gruesome, this is a gorgeous example of pure cinema, and a treat for fans of razor-sharp suspense.
  • jlewis07
    July 5, 2009
    jlewis07
    A stylish and entertaining thriller.

View All From Hell Reviews

Critic Reviews

Derek Elley
July 29, 2008
Derek Elley, Variety

Anyone expecting the combo of Allen and Albert Hughes and the famed Victorian serial-killer to result in a gritty, stygian, skin-crawling horror movie will be severely disappointed Full Review

Lisa Alspector
April 18, 2007
Lisa Alspector, Chicago Reader

This wry, atmospheric procedural spawned by a real mystery would be thorny enough without also being an adaptation. Full Review

Peter Travers
October 29, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

The Hughes boys blow it by burying a fine cast ... in stock scares, sappy romance and cliches that really are from hell.

Peter Rainer
October 29, 2001
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

The only thrill, if you can call it that, is waiting to see who gets sliced up next. Full Review

J. Hoberman
October 23, 2001
J. Hoberman, Village Voice

It has the lush decrepitude of an autumn compost heap or an old Hammer werewolf flick. Full Review

Joe Baltake
October 21, 2001
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

What we have here is a perversion of the 'business as usual' recommendations we've been hearing lately. Full Review

Desson Thomson
October 19, 2001
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The feeling of patent unbelievability never leaves.

Stephen Hunter
October 19, 2001
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post

Plays the enigma game out fully and well.

Bob Graham
October 19, 2001
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle

Restores chill to an earlier meaning. Full Review

Charles Taylor
October 19, 2001
Charles Taylor, Salon.com

The gaudiness of From Hell might make the film effective for some viewers, on its own cheap terms. But the movie is a disastrous example of filmmakers whose reductive sensibility is not up to the dens... Full Review

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From Hell Trivia

  • What movie is this quote from? " I wish I could show you the little village where I was born. It's so lovely there. It's by the sea, the way you said you saw me. I used to think it too small to spend a life in, but now I'm not so sure."  Answer »
  • 'From Hell' is based on the true story of which serial killer?  Answer »
  • The following line is from what movie: "One day men will look back and say that I gave birth to the twentieth century."  Answer »
  • What movie featured Johnny Depp as an inspector of a serial killer's brutal and well planned murders?  Answer »
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