Released in 2001 and helmed by the Hughes brothers, "From Hell" recounts the Jack the Ripper murders that occurred in the impoverished Whitechapel area of London during the autumn of 1888. Johnny Depp portrays a detective struggling with opium addiction, and Robbie Coltrane appears as his partner. Heather Graham is present as a prostitute who piques the Detective’s attention. The film draws from Alan Moore's graphic novel bearing the same title. Moore voiced disapproval regarding the alteration of his depiction of Frederick Abberline—describing his version as "gruff"—into an "absinthe-swilling dandy,” which is how Depp portrays the character. Historical records offer no indication that Abberline used drugs or experienced prophetic visions. Interestingly, Moore’s graphic novel was largely inspired by the royal conspiracy theory presented in Stephen Knight's 1976 book “Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution.” This represents one of several theories surrounding the killer’s identity. Whether accurate or not, it contributes to a compelling narrative. "From Hell" feels akin to a Hammer film, but with the financial scale typical of contemporary blockbusters. Similar Hammer productions include "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed” (1969) and “Taste the Blood of Dracula” (1970). A minor storyline in "From Hell" is also found in the latter, involving upper-class Victorian men engaging in clandestine, forbidden indulgences. Consistent with the broader Hammer horror collection, viewers can anticipate top hats and dark coats, cobblestone streets, attractive women, a terrifying killer (or monster), and vibrant colors. The movie has a running time of 2 hours and 2 minutes and was filmed on location in Prague, Czech Republic, as well as England (Boscastle & Goldings). GRADE: B

Source on TMDB