Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Never Forget. Never Forgive.
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller Sweeney Todd. Depp stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who "shaved the heads of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard from again." Joining Depp is Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes Alan Rickman, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison and Timothy Spall as the Judge's wicked associate Beadle Bamford and Sacha Baron Cohen is a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli.
Member Reviews
visually stunning; musically weak - operabuff
The fatal flaw in this film adaptation is in the casting. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to cast a mediocre singer in the title role of a musical? These actors, famous and talented as they are, just cannot carry Sondheim's score. Some of the more difficult musical numbers were cut, as was Sondheim's wonderful chorus numbers that comment on the action. Don't get me wrong, this version is visually stunning, and quite entertaining, but for anyone interested in hearing good singing, the stage version with Lansbury and Hearn is in another league, especially with regard to the many low male voices required for this musical. Depp and Rickman, as great as they are, just are not up to stratch for the music of these roles.Great Dark Comedy / Musical - Brentamis
I put off wathching this flick for some time, not being into many musicals. Once it hit Bluray I figured I would give it a shot (everything is a little better on bluray). Without a doubt worth watching.
Althought it was quite graphic/gory, it was done in such a way that was almost comical - not like a teen slasher flick. The musical numbers were actually VERY well done and quite catchy.
Lots of twists throughout, and a great dark comedy. I reccomend it.Close Shave - Angora
When I heard that Tim Burton was making a movie out of a Broadway musical about a serial killer, and that he had cast Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the lead roles, I thought “This will be a train wreck; but what a glorious train wreck it shall be!” It turned out to be one of the best movies I’ve seen in a long time.
Tim Burton has found a project that completely fits his aesthetic, and a script that allows him to fully commit to it. Visually, the film is completely stunning. The acting is great all around, and, if there’s something a little bit creepy about some of the supporting actors, that works here, too.
The story is very well-constructed. It runs like clockwork, and stays interesting, withholding one or two surprises for the end. It manages to be funny, thrilling, disgusting, and moving at various intervals, and the musical numbers, while not particularly memorable, seem appropriate, natural, and entertaining while they’re happening.
All in all, this is a really satisfying, enjoyable movie. Whatever you fear when you hear the words “Tim Burton is making a movie out of a Broadway musical about a serial killer” is not what happens; it’s fantastic.
Member Reviews
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visually stunning; musically weak - operabuff
The fatal flaw in this film adaptation is in the casting. I mean, who thought it was a good idea to cast a mediocre singer in the title role of a musical? These actors, famous and talented as they are, just cannot carry Sondheim's score. Some of the more difficult ...Great Dark Comedy / Musical - Brentamis
I put off wathching this flick for some time, not being into many musicals. Once it hit Bluray I figured I would give it a shot (everything is a little better on bluray). Without a doubt worth watching.
Althought it was quite graphic/gory, it was ...Close Shave - Angora
When I heard that Tim Burton was making a movie out of a Broadway musical about a serial killer, and that he had cast Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter in the lead roles, I thought “This will be a train wreck; but what a glorious train wreck it shall be!” ...