Spectacular film, but remember: FICTION.

Rating: Null/10 (20 October 2001)

"From Hell" is an adaptation of the royal conspiracy theory that came into existence in the 1970's. As a work of fiction, it's great; it is full of political intrigue and makes for a great story. Depp and Holm really carry it well, and the directors show us a part of victorian england without sugar coating it- the poverty-stricken east end, the drunk, starving people: the working class. It's here that the Ripper committed his gruesome murders.
The only catch is that this is strictly a work of fiction. There is absolutely nothing to back up the royal conspiracy except bits of heresay. Sure, it could have been covered up well, but it's by far one of the least likely possibilities. It's tempting to romanticize the story in the hope that these killings had a motive; when in fact they very well might have been random.
As a film, A+. But a film only; not a documentary.