From Hell: Review By slysnide

This film was basically the "Royal Conspiracy" theory brought to life...with a few significant inaccuracies.

I've never seen a Hughes brother's film, but I'm guessing that this was their best one. Set in Whitechapel, London, England in Autumn 1888, the story features a Hollywood version of the classic conspiracy theory of what really happened in the world's most famous serial killings. The film featured fantastic visuals, and was an excellent period peice. Actors Johnny Depp and Robbie Coltrane make a great duo, and Ian Holm the perfect upscale brit physician to England's Royal family. Those unfamiliar with the case, or not as knowledgeable about it as those who obsess over it, will find it to be an exceptional film that's worth adding to their collection. One of Johnny Depp's finest performances. And an overall beautiful film.

The Hughes Brothers relocated from London, England to Prague, Czech Republic to film the movie, cuz London had changed WAY too much to be able to film it there, no matter how many set dressings they had. But in Prague (where literally dozens of films have gone to shoot) there was plenty of room to reconstruct the Whitechapel District of London's East End seamlessly. The production designer did a phenomenal job at it, and there were absolutely no flaws! They got it right down to the position of the last cobblestone! (literally. the Hughes found that only a couple cobblestones were misshapen in Commercial Street on set in comparison to the period photos, and they had to be changed--like placed sideways instead of forward). So basically, if you wanna know what the actual locations looked like in reality, then don't take the tour in London, but watch this movie instead!!!!!!!!!!

However, for fans of the crime, and fellow Ripperologists like myself, the film was plagued with inaccuracies.

{don't read the following if you aren't familiar with the case}:

The most obvious difference being that the conspiracy is found out by the end of the film through a fictional climax to portray what may have happened had the inspector went down that road during the investigation.

Also, Abberline was older in reality, and didn't have any relationship with the prostitute Mary Jeanette Kelly as seen in the film. Also, he was never an opium addict nor used it to "forsee" the killings.

There also was no French prostitute.

Certain prime suspects in the real case weren't mentioned at all, and not even seen in the backgrounds of certain scenes as they should have been. Even Kosminsky is absent on the night of the double murder when he was suspected of writing on the wall.

Not even Sickert's habits of being absent on the nights of the killings and returning home to read newspapers the following morning as fast as possible to then burn his clothes if he'd been reported as being spotted was featured (which had made him a suspect); nor was his connection with the Royal Conspiracy made on July 24th or 26th of 1884 mentioned.

Either way, it would still be enjoyable for most Ripperologists.