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Bookmark this pageSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Director: Tim Burton
Synopsis
Based on the 19th century legend of Sweeney Todd and the hit Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) returns to London after being sent away by Alan Rickman’s Judge Turpin. He opens a barber shop above Mrs. Lovett's Meat Pie Shop were she sells ‘the worst pies in London.’ With the help of Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter), Todd tries to get rid of all the people who have ever done him wrong.
Movie review
From Time Out London
A great deal bloodier than most musicals, Tim Burton’s beautifully crafted take on Stephen Sondheim’s stage show still feels like a kids’ film that no littl’uns will see, such is the sweep of his story, his caricaturing, and his balletic approach to killing.
But human behaviour isn’t Burton’s strong point, so one doesn’t expect him to gain a strong grip on the psyche of Benjamin Barker – now Mr S Todd (Johnny Depp, with a skunk’s streak in his locks) – the barber who’s back in dank Victorian London and looking for revenge on crooked Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman, resuscitating his turn in ‘Perfume…’) after enduring an unjust stint in a penal colony and losing his wife and daughter. This forlorn figure is now entering a pact with local pie-maker Mrs Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter, fresh from the Queen Vic) that sees trade blossom for both – and offers Todd a busman’s outlet for his anger…
There’s something of the Hulk to this Todd (a monster with a heart and a troubled past), but there’s a heavy dose of Fred West, too. Depp is too young and too beautiful – but he claws back some romance for his anti-hero and proves a capable singer. It’s the usual Burtonisms that impress: the sets, the costumes, a masterly embrace of the sound-stage (retaining the theatricality of Sondheim’s original).
There’s a gulf between the colourful leads and the bland supporting roles, and Burton struggles to avoid a flat middle section that contrasts with the atmospherics of his opening and the melodrama of his finale – but mostly this is grand-scale studio-work at its most beguiling.
Author: Dave Calhoun
Time Out London Time Out London: Issue 1953 Jan 23-29
User reviews of this film
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- Gemma said...
- Posted on Feb 05 2008 15:16 Exceptional film, any who think otherwise shouldnt be so narrowminded.
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- Amy said...
- Posted on Feb 04 2008 15:36 Average film - not at all as good as the hype. Bit slow in places & not sure about the singing - more like fast talking with a tune in the background. Loved Johnny Depps portrayal of Sweeney Todd & Tim Burton's dark & eerie atmosphere is great. Not sure about Helena Bonham Carter though.
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- Nina said...
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Posted on Feb 03 2008 21:59
Its a love or Hate film from what i have read, so really the only way to make up your mind is to see it because most peoples comments can be completely different.
personally i think its is wonderful the atmosphere, acting and singing is just amazing in my eyes. - Report as inappropriate
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- Vera said...
- Posted on Feb 03 2008 21:51 The worst musical I`ve ever seen. A very good story wasted with pointless singing. Good actors made to look stupid. What a shame it could have been such a good movie.
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- alisonb said...
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Posted on Feb 03 2008 16:20
The film's an absolute masterpiece and if anything has improved upon Sondeim's theatre piece.
Ed Sanders as Toby and Helena Bonham Carter in particular were exceptional. The kid in particular considering it was his first role was amazing. - Report as inappropriate
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- peter said...
- Posted on Feb 03 2008 14:21 absolutely brilliant - love helena bonham carter- love the songs - love the set - spectacular!
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- nic said...
- Posted on Feb 03 2008 13:02 fantastic i love musicals and helen stole the show and thats a big thing to say as im a huge depp fan her voice increadable and acting supurb iv now watched it twice and i cant get the songs out of my head!
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- james fretter said...
- Posted on Feb 03 2008 12:52 had high expectations but it is possibly the worst film i have ever seen. the songs are boring and repetitive, the acting is below average and i certainly wouldnt reccomend it to anyone.
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- Dirtyhands said...
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Posted on Feb 03 2008 12:50
A very good movie. The first time you see blood (and a lot of it) it does take you off your seat but you soon get used to it.
I'm not a fan of musicals but the singing is basically interspered with the dialogue so not a case of looking at your watch for songs to finish.
Look out for Sacha Baron Cohen's dodgy late 20th century cockney accent. - Report as inappropriate
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- denise said...
- Posted on Feb 02 2008 16:57 Oh what a disapointment this film was. An hour in to the film I decided I could not listen to another song!!!! A awful awful film. Please do your self a favour and dont waste your money. Should have watched the "Bee Movie" im sure I would have enjoyed that more!!!
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- Zuzanna Zajczenko said...
- Posted on Feb 02 2008 15:00 Wow! Couldn't sleep at night, SO GOOD!
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- Jenny said...
- Posted on Feb 02 2008 14:02 An amazing film! All actors are brilliant, love it! Would recommend to anyone :)
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- Wakeel effendi said...
- Posted on Feb 02 2008 00:10 The best movie to kill your precious time!!!!
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- Joey said...
- Posted on Feb 01 2008 21:38 Well, another Depp and Burton triumph. Depp hits the spot perfectly, however strays from his usual eccentric outsider roles into angry murderer, although I didn't think the transition bothered him too much. The songs are brilliant, with the singing being superb and the way they all link together is clever. The only annoyance was the fact that it didn't tell us of what happened to Joanna. All in all, brilliant, a must see.
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- kat said...
- Posted on Feb 01 2008 18:01 thoroughly enjoyed it although when it first started didn't think i would as there is more singing than your average musical. But Depp was terrifying and i can safely say I'll never eat another meat pie as long as i live! Well acted, very macabre -typical Burton.
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Cast & crew
Director: Tim Burton
Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Laura Michelle Kelly, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jayne Wisener full cast
Duration: 117 mins
US Release: Dec 21 2007
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