Search - From Hell [Director's Limited Edition] on DVD

MPAA Rating: R Content Advisory: Graphic Violence, Nudity, Not For Children, Profanity, Substance Abuse, Sexual Situations, Drug Content Movie Release: 2001 DVD Release: 05/14/2002 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French, Spanish Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 2 Number of Discs: 2 Run Time: 2 hrs 1 mins Studio: 20th Century Fox Total Copies: 19 Genres: Thriller, Period Film, Costume Horror, Police Detective Film See Also: From Hell, From Hell [Blu-ray]

The true-life horror story of Jack the Ripper gets a new spin in this screen adaptation of the acclaimed graphic novel by Alan Moore and Eddie Campbell. In 1888, a ruthless and cold-blooded killer begins hunting prostitutes in East London, and while the murderer's work is savage, the mutilation of his victims suggests the fiend has an extensive medical background. Amidst a background of political unrest and barely contained scandal among the royal family, the murderer's grisly exploits shock and frighten all of England, and one of Scotland Yard's top inspectors, Fred Abberline (Johnny Depp), is put on the case, along with his partner, Peter Godley (Robbie Coltrane). Abberline, depending on one's viewpoint, is either blessed or cursed with second sight, and while he blurs his ability to see future events with opium and other drugs, he still has an uncanny ability to ferret out dangerous criminals, which is put to the test as he and Godley search for the Ripper. As Abberline and Godley investigate the neighborhood where the crimes occur, they become acquainted with the prostitutes and street people who were friends and compatriots of the victims, and Abberline finds himself falling in love with Mary Kelly (Heather Graham), a beautiful Irish streetwalker. As Abberline tries to identify the killer before Mary Kelly can become the next victim, he and Godley have to contend with Sir Charles Warren (Ian Richardson), their superior who is keen to pin the murders on a culprit who isn't British, and Sir William Gull (Ian Holm), a respected physician who has his own ideas about the murders and the benefits of psychosurgery. From Hell marked a change of pace for Albert Hughes and Allen Hughes, the sibling directorial team best known for their gritty depictions of America's urban underground in such films as Menace II Society and Dead Presidents. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Johnny Depp - Inspector Frederick George Abberline
Heather Graham - Mary Kelly
Ian Holm - Sir William Gull
Robbie Coltrane - Sgt. Peter Godley
Ian Richardson - Sir Charles Warren

The Hughes brothers' stylish thriller is packaged in a dynamic special edition two-disc set. Disc one presents the film in its original anamorphic widescreen 2.35:1 format. The audio is formatted in Dolby Digital 5.1 for the English track and Dolby Surround for the French and Spanish tracks. Special features on this disc include a feature commentary with directors Albert and Allen Hughes, screenwriter Rafael Yglesias, cinematgrapher Peter Deming, and actor Robbie Coltrane. There's also over 20 deleted scenes including an alternate ending. An Easter Egg revealing the DVDs production credits can be found on this first disc by selecting language selection, then highlighting main menu and arrowing right to open the corpse's eye. Disc two has the bulk of the bonus material. The original theatrical trailer is included, along with one for Unfaithful. "Six Degrees of Jack the Ripper: An Exploration of Ripperology" is a fascinating look at the many theories and suspects behind the legendary serial killer. This piece includes interviews, research, and morgue photos. "A View From Hell" is an HBO featurette that's hosted by actress Heather Graham. It discusses the in-depth research the Hughes' conducted to give their movie authenticity. In "Tour of the Murder Sites," the brothers' show off the impressive White Chapel set they had built in Prague. "Production Design" is a behind-the-scenes featurette with production designer Martin Childs that shows how the film's interior and exterior sets were created. "Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder" gives the history of the wormwood-based drink. From Hell was inspired by the comic book written by Alan More and Eddie Campbell. In a "Graphic Novel to Film Comparison," the brothers show how they utilized the book in the film and where they departed from the original story. Finally, an Easter Egg can be found on this disc by highlighting "Absinthe Makes the Heart Grow Fonder," then pressing the down arrow and the right arrow. This will highlight an instrument in the case. Click on it to watch a 45 minute movie, "Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution." Like the film itself, the bonus material on both discs is engaging and entertaining. The Hugheses and 20th Century Fox have put together an excellent package. ~ Terri Clark, All Movie Guide