From Hell (2001) - Johnny Depp takes on Jack the Ripper

[aldeniro78]

Watched this back when it came out on video and remember liking it. Need to see it again.

 

[TheRuthlessOne]

Watched this back when it came out on video and remember liking it. Need to see it again.

Its kinda slow but I think it works for this film

 

[Fork]

It's based on a comic, which I actually didn't know until @chickenluver mentioned it the other day:

highly, highly recommend the graphic novel.

i like the movie quite a bit and i agree it deserves more love, but the book is fantastic.

 

[minute bull]

One thing I don't understand is why the Hughes Brothers' careers didn't take off after this movie

I believe this might have been the height of their powers, although I prefer DEAD PRESIDENTS as their best film. They are indeed visual stunners, and the scene with Joanna Page riding that dick is nothing short of breathtaking.

The answer is they fight a lot.

Not as bad the Gallaghers of Oasis but they often fought and professionally split after FROM HELL. Of course, they barely found work apart and would reunite for BOOK OF ELI.

I forget which, but one brother is way into onscreen violence while the other is more the cinematic technician. My guess is Allen, the fatter one, is the former -- having been in an altercation with Tupac Shakur (for which 2Pac was charged and convicted).

Nicolas Winding Refn would be the current top of the heap regarding of their stylistic hallmarks, sans the Al Green songs. I would say they're better but their output kills them.

 

[Guestx]

I believe this might have been the height of their powers, although I prefer DEAD PRESIDENTS as their best film. They are indeed visual stunners, and the scene with Joanna Page riding that dick is nothing short of breathtaking.

The answer is they fight a lot.

Not as bad the Gallaghers of Oasis but they often fought and professionally split after FROM HELL. Of course, they barely found work apart and would reunite for BOOK OF ELI.

I forget which, but one brother is way into onscreen violence while the other is more the cinematic technician. My guess is Allen, the fatter one, is the former -- having been in an altercation with Tupac Shakur (for which 2Pac was charged and convicted).

Nicolas Winding Refn would be the current top of the heap regarding of their stylistic hallmarks, sans the Al Green songs. I would say they're better but their output kills them.

Hmm, interesting. I had never heard that.

So are you saying they just can't get their shit together enough to take new projects or are you saying that their behavior has kind of gotten them blacklisted?

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

While the movie looked great, I found it less than entertaining. Don't recall any specific complaints. Just didn't work for me I guess.

 

[Guestx]

While the movie looked great, I found it less than entertaining. Don't recall any specific complaints. Just didn't work for me I guess.

I thought the central mystery, along with its solution, was an interesting one, and the performances really brought the characters to life. But the film is largely about atmosphere and mood.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

I thought the central mystery, along with its solution, was an interesting one, and the performances really brought the characters to life. But the film is largely about atmosphere and mood.

Don't recall the solution. But since it's an unsolved true crime there's only so much satisfaction in speculation.

 

[Guestx]

Don't recall the solution. But since it's an unsolved true crime there's only so much satisfaction in speculation.

Gonna spoiler this for people who haven't seen it:

Spoiler

Jack the Ripper is revealed to be a physician to Queen Victoria. He kills the prostitutes because they gave Prince Albert, Victoria's grandson, syphilis and because he had an illegitimate child with one of them. They were traitors to the crown and must be dealt with.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

Gonna spoiler this for people who haven't seen it:

Spoiler

Jack the Ripper is revealed to be a physician to Queen Victoria. He kills the prostitutes because they gave Prince Albert, Victoria's grandson, syphilis and because he had an illegitimate child with one of them. They were traitors to the crown and must be dealt with.

Thanks. Would have been better to just write that script and leave The Ripper out of it (imho).

 

[Strychnine]

One thing I don't understand is why the Hughes Brothers' careers didn't take off after this movie. From Hell clearly showed that they could handle directing a big feature and do it well.

But neither brother has gone on to do very much since. Together they directed The Book of Eli. And then Albert Hughes made some documentary I've never heard of (We the Economy: 20 Short Films You Can't Afford to Miss). And Allen Hughes made Broken City with Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe.

And that's about it! Strange.

These guys are good and have a unique vision. They should make more films.

Beat me to it! ^

 

[Guestx]

Thanks. Would have been better to just write that script and leave The Ripper out of it (imho).

Well, it was based on an existing property.

 

[Guestx]

Beat me to it! ^

I've been reading through this. Pretty interesting.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/qampa-hughes-brothers-19261

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

Well, it was based on an existing property.

What do you mean?

 

[Guestx]

What do you mean?

I mean it's an adaptation from a comic. The story didn't start as a script for a film.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

I mean it's an adaptation from a comic. The story didn't start as a script for a film.

Gotcha. Either way I would have scrapped the Ripper tie-in.

 

[Guestx]

Gotcha. Either way I would have scrapped the Ripper tie-in.

I don't mind it. The Ripper is a known, and fascinating, story that we don't know the solution to. Many different ideas have been put forward.

I don't see a problem in pursuing one of those ideas, kind of like Fincher did with Zodiac.

 

[the muntjac]

I saw this in the theaters when it first came out, and I really enjoyed it then. So much so that I bought it on DVD, and I probably watched it a handful of times since owning it.

A couple of years ago, I got the graphic novel which I had wanted to read for awhile since I like Alan Moore's work, and it is so much better than the movie. I know it's a cliche thing to say a book is better than its movie counterpart, but this rings very true in this case. Since reading the book, I lost interest in the movie and sold my copy.

I suggest reading the book, and perhaps you won't be as cynical as me and then disregard the film. For what it's worth, I like the look of the film, the style, and the acting, but the story aspect is so weak compared to the book's.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

I don't mind it. The Ripper is a known, and fascinating, story that we don't know the solution to. Many different ideas have been put forward.

I don't see a problem in pursuing one of those ideas, kind of like Fincher did with Zodiac.

I'd generally rather my fiction be fiction personally. As for Zodiac, that movie wasn't much better. One of the scariest books ever though.

 

[Guestx]

I'd generally rather my fiction be fiction personally. As for Zodiac, that movie wasn't much better. One of the scariest books ever though.

Damn, I loved Zodiac. A bit too long perhaps, but I thought it was an excellent film.

Not sure if it's true or not, but I've heard in real life Robert Graysmith is a liar and con-artist though.