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Directed by Albert & Allen Hughes. Starring Johnny Depp, Heather Graham, Robbie Coltrane, Susan Lynch, Ian Holm, Ian Richardson, Jason Fleming, Katrin Cartlidge, Lesley Sharp. Synopsis: A tale of the killings and the search for Jack The Ripper, the most infamous serial killer of al time who was never caught, told from the perspective of the lead detective on the case, Fred Abberline.

I have to confess first off to being a "Ripperologist", one who has an interestin true unsolved crime and particularly the most famous unsolved murders of all time. I've read books and done research on the case and I still remember quite clearly that when From Hell opened in the theaters some years ago, I went to the midnight showing after a long day at the office because I could not wait. I now have it on DVD and watched it again for the first time in a couple of years. 

Nothing has changed my opinion.

This, in my opinion, is an excellent movie. Now, the first thing to deal with is the premise: a real life unsolved crime that everyone knows is unsolved.On the other hand, so much has been written and dramatic license taken over the century and a quarter since the murders, it was safe to assume that many people watching who had heard of Jack The Ripper would only be vaguely familiar with the details and, of course, everyone directly associated with the case is long deceased.

But, the Hughes brothers do a good job with it anyway. There are many different theories as to who Jack The Ripper was and why he did what he did, which was murder at least 5 women who worked as prostitutes in extremely brutal fashion in London in 1888.

The Hughes brothers choose to use one of the more popular and recent theories, one involving the coverup by the Royal Family. This theory first appeared in the 1970s and, in the humble opinion of your blogger as well as most folks who have studied the case, its silly.

But, it does make for great theater-which is no doubt why it was dreamed up-and great theater is what we get here. Johnny Depp (Public Enemies, The Libertine) plays Inspector Fred Abberline, the real life detective who was in charge of the investigation. Depp, not surprisingly, is wonderful in the role and unlike some I had no problem with his British accent. Some dramatic license is taken with the life of the real detective, such as making him an opium addict as well as clairvoyant. I didn't particularly care for that, as one thing that bugs is when historical movies change known facts. My opinion is, if the person or event you're making the film about is interesting enough to warrant making a movie  1,10,100, or 1000 years after the fact, why do you need to change any of the facts?  

Of course, there are valid reasons in terms of what you might show in a feature film that is 2 hours long, and I believe that is what was done here, combining another real life figure close to the case into the Abberline character.

Of course, we're talking big budget movie here, so telling the story of the most compelling and well known unsolved crime in history isn't enoufh, we have to have a love interest. I say that somewhat tongue in cheek, but I will say it works well in From Hell, not least because it is written into the plot in the form of part of the answer to the unsloved question of who Jack The Ripper really was. Heather Graham (Boogie Nights) plays Mary Jane Kelley, the last of the known Ripper victims and the object of Abberline's affections. The chemistry between the two is very believable and there is some electicity there as well. We can believe this relationship even though it springs from slightly unbelievable circumstances.

The rest of the cast is more than up to the task of answering the challenge of matching the performances of the two leading actors. Robbie Coltrane knocks it out of the park as George Godley, Abberline's sidekick. I'll bet you find him the most likeable, empathetic, and funniest of the characters, though the laughs are few in this flick.

The two Ians, Holm and Richardson, are both impressively stately if a little intimidating in their respective roles, as Physician to the Queen and Chief of Police. 

Mary Jane also has gal pals who work the streets with her and just might fall prey to the Ripper. The circle of friends angle, for which there is no historical basis, of these Ripper victims is done very well here, almost family like. Katrin Cartridge plays Annie Chapman, Lesley Sharp is Cattherine Eddowes, and Susan Lynch (16 Years Of Alcohol Abuse) is Elizabeth Stride. All of them were real life Ripper victims and the actresses bring them to life well and make us emphathize. Especially Lynch, I just think this actress really has something special.

The cinematography and look of the film are excellent, it really looks like you would think London would have looked like at this time in history. There are a couple of shots of blood red skies that are awesome and fit well with the story.

As if a well directed, acted, and filmed movie about an interesting subject was not enough, when you pick this up on DVD you will be treated to extensive special features, including quite a bit on the actual case, so those of you who are interested in the topic will get twice the bang for your buck. 

One of my favorites, no doubt.