From Hell - 10.19.2001

If you aren't familiar with Alan Moore's work... the best place to start would be The Watchmen, which came out to parallel Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns... both vearing for best comic work, ever.

You can then go to his stint on Swamp Thing, or V for Vendetta, both excellent works.

Moore's work has always been a researched, far encompassing tomb that entertains and educates, always. His work is prolific, genius even... and he is the most respected writer in comics. Has been for twenty years. He might have one or two peers... but I doubt it.

So. In 1995/96 Moore and Eddie Campbell started out on a crusade to write/draw a huge work based on the possible life of Jack the Ripper. This is a work of fiction... keep that in mind... because I think it's one of the problems with the film.

The completed graphic novel is over 300 pages long. It's a huge book, and took me over two weeks to absorb the whole thing. There is much history in it, along with straight narrative. You have to pay strict attention in a Moore book. Very strict.

The comic book is nothing short of brilliant. It's one of the best things I've read in ten years... since I think most comics are for shit, and that Marvel, DC and Image did not learn their lessons when Marvel (three years ago) flooded the market and went bankrupt.

From Hell was published by Eddie Campbell Comics, independent. They produced a fine work, and if you have yet to read it... I'm not sure whether to advise you to read it first, or see the movie first. My wife did not read the story, and she enjoyed the film.

I read the book, and I hated this movie.

First off, the directors.

The Hughes Brothers, Albert and Allen. The two were responsible for Menace II Society, back in 1993. This is their only worthwhile project, in my book. I did not like Dead Presidents, even though it had a decent cast. The story was super cliched and flat. Keith David saved that film, and only in a superficial way.

After that, their other film was American Pimp, which was just a pathetic attempt at breaching the film industry with a psuedo documentary.

There are so many problems with From Hell, I'm not sure where to begin... but I will start with the Hughes Brothers. Think about it this way... they watched, a number of times, Coppola's Dracula, before going into the breach. It's unreal, the similarities. Outright plagerism, to a point.

Secondly, there were flashy ways of showing the murder scenes, with ridiculous camera movements (quick in and outs of murder scenes) that presented no real suspense or dread.

I really don't think these guys are that good of a directing team... as, say, the Coen Brothers. There really is no comparision, to anyone. I don't think there is any trademark that they bring to the screen... or anything they do with, say, actors, that might stand out. It's sad, because for two people to fight so hard to get a project... knowing that the studio would want big named actors in the lead roles... all they did was compromise what could have been a great film into the next Hollywood tragedy.

Terry Hayes was one of the screen writers. His first job was on The Road Warrior in 1981, and then Beyond Thunderdome. Dead Calm, some TV and in 1999 he helped write Payback with Brian Helgeland. I dug that movie, but it was also from a novel called The Hunter by Richard Stark. So, I guess, Hayes has some experience adapting work. He then wrote Verticle Limit, so we know he has the Hollywood cheese factor under his belt, as well.

Rafael Yglesias helped write three scripts prior to this one. Fearless (from his novel), Death and the Maiden and Les Miserables. So, I guess they thought he had the 'foreign' angle covered.

These two men butchered this story to hell. I'm certain that the studios told them that the film had to be Hollywoodized to the point of being just another assembly line piece. It's sad. There were elements in the book that should have been present... such important things that would have explained the characters that much more clearly. They ruined the story, and I have no doubt that Alan Moore must be shitting himself.

A small piece of advice for those of you who go on to become Hollywood bigshots, or writers/directors in your own right. If you are doing a story that is based in England, or any other foreign country... make sure you hire local talent...

This work speaks for itself. It's about Jack the Ripper. People, regardless of the names attached, will see it. Granted, maybe not that many people, but that is why you get talented directors and writers on a project... not tolken directors and writers to create something just for the money.

And not two AMERICAN actors that will get people into the seats. Depp and Graham did some of the worst accents I've ever heard. Almost as bad as Costner in Robin Hood.

Their acting was flat. There was some humor in the film that came from Depp... and I really dig his work (his older work, anyway). Ian Holm was brilliant, as always.

Robbie Coltrane was decent in his role. Those are pretty much the only standout actors in the film. Everyone else faded into the background.

Peter Deming is one of those DP's that directors dream to deal with. At least, I would dream to deal with him. He's worked with Sam Raimi, David Lynch, Wes Craven... he's a very accomplished cinematographer... that directors trust with their work. His work in this film was passable. I think that most of it was strictly for atmosphere, and he knows something about that, working with Lynch.

Again, I think there were outright copies of shots, colors, ideas straight from Dracula, and I'm sure that the Hughes brothers brought these to Deming's attention, which is too bad. He has some of the most fantastic films under his belt, and in regards to From Hell, I think he was under used.

One of my biggest problems is that even though the film is a work of fiction, Moore used all of the facts about the case to stress different points that he had. In this film, they did not concern themselves with many of the facts... like the letters to the newspapers, or about Leather Apron, or the such. It was sad to see the suspenseful explanations thrown out the window.

All in all, a complete disappointment. Another example of how comics cannot be turned into movies that do them justice. This project should have been put in the hands of people who actually cared about the book... were fans of Alan Moore's... people who would have been true to the original story.