Fantastic Visuals Make this Jack the Ripper Story

Rating: 9/10 (20 October 2001)

Well, I just returned from seeing the movie From Hell, a movie that I have been anticipating since I first heard about it before summer. In many respects, I am not disappointed, but I feel there are a few things that must be said.
SPOILERS BELOW!!!
For starters, anyone with a knowledge of Ripper History must know that the infamous Freemason Conspiracy Theory, published by Stephen Knight, has been completely cast out as untrue. It was discovered after the death of its author that some of the research was "created" to help make the conspiracy. Knight stretched certain aspects of the facts of the case (the "Juwes", as the biggest) to help prove his conspiracy theory....which, quite frankly, is the most exciting of all the Ripper theories, though the most far-fetched. Of course Hollywood would pick that one.
"From Hell" is very detailed about some of the facts of the case. Martha Tabram, the first murder in the movie, is not listed among the canonical five victims (Mary Nichols, Annie Chapman, Liz Stride, Katherine Eddows, and Mary Kelly) but Tabram, along with about a dozen other women, are theorized to be victims of the Ripper. The death scenes were not as gory as I might expect; though to show the body of Mary Kelly as seen in the black and white photograph at the actual murder scene 100 years ago would surely give the move an NC-17 rating. The murders were handled well, with just enough of the "gore" factor to give them the scare factor.
Depp gives a very solid performance as Fredderick Abberline (which is pronounced a-ber-leen, not a-ber-line as far as I know) though much of his character was made to suite the story. From a historical standpoint, Abberline did not smoke opium, was married, and was actually "demoted" to returned to Whitechapel for the Ripper cases. And he certainly did not die afterwards. Depp, as we all know from his previous endeavors, plays a wonderful detective, and he handled this role beautifully, as far as I'm concerned.
Ian Holm as William Gull was solid. I was a bit perplexed about the change in his voice from certain scenes to the next. I know that originally, Nathaniel Hawthorne was casted as Gull, but I'm unsure if he shot any of the scenes -- I'm wondering if his voice was used as the Ripper's.
Coltrane adds some of the very few comical moments, and Graham gives an pretty good performace as Mary Kelly.
I read somewhere that there were two endings shot for this film, one of which Depp and Graham got drunk and acted badly for on purpose so that it couldn't be used. When I read this, I thought they would be doing this for an ending where everyone "lived happily ever after." I was sorely mistaken. This movie's take on Mary Kelly living and/or falling for Abberline or even MEETING Abberline is completely made up. It does help the plot along, however.
The most wonderful aspect of the film, in my opinion, are the visuals -- the scenery. Absolutely brilliant shots of London in what it could have looked like in the 19th century. The shots of the skyline above the rooftops of the East End were equally breathtaking. The prostitutes (other than the always pretty Heather Graham) were given a very true-to-life makeup job. The Hugh Brothers did a fantastic job in this respect.
While not altogether historically accurate, "From Hell" was a very good movie that I will more than likely go to a second time and definitely purchase the DVD from. If you're looking for a more-historically based fictional account, I'd try the Michael Caine film from 1988 (though I must warn you.... they choose the "conspiracy theory" as well). It was made for TV, so the gruesomeness is cut out of the film completely. But if you are looking for a visually stunning account of the Ripper's escapades, as well as a semi-realistic look at the blood that would result from his antics, see "From Hell."
You won't be disappointed.
***/****