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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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- Sarajayne said...
- Posted on Jan 27 2008 21:48 Went to see the film today 27.1.08, i found the film great, iv never seen a musical, horror before, at times it was so funny, i nearly cried from laughing but then in parts i was nearly sick with the amount of blood, but overall, a great film to watch x
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- Greg said...
- Posted on Jan 27 2008 17:20 I was very worried how the Sondheim's musical would translated to the big screen. I needn't have worried, the result is a triumph!
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- Jamie of the thunder said...
- Posted on Jan 27 2008 15:06 hah 18 who cares i snuck in and it was immensly good singing bits r ace killing bits r ace all in all good film amazing ending :P
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- Emma said...
- Posted on Jan 26 2008 18:43 Fantastic film - dark, brooding and intense - Burton is the only man who could have made Sondheims masterpiece truly work on the big screen. Depp is fantastic - his eyes scream emotion. Go see it!
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- sweeny todd said...
- Posted on Jan 26 2008 16:43 This film is brilliant so go and watch it or i will slit your throat. i am sat on the toilet but i am going to watch this film when i am finnished erm ? next week
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- Sam Luton said...
- Posted on Jan 26 2008 15:55 going to watch this tonight. and to everyone out there who do not like musicals.... if u know u dont like em... why bother going to watch one and then post moany comments bout em!
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- jenifer said...
- Posted on Jan 26 2008 15:43 This film was an ultimate film for the start of 2008 although the singing was average but very high standard acting from johnny depp
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- John said...
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Posted on Jan 26 2008 09:57
No, No and a hundred times no. I was quite looking forward to seeing this film but it was deeply, deeply disappointing. The storyline was turgid and plodding, the music was monotonous and unimaginative; the whole thing felt like wading through treacle.
Aside from five interesting minutes toward the beginning and another five at the end, it was simply dreary, uninteresting tosh. - Report as inappropriate
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- nick said...
- Posted on Jan 26 2008 00:05 I have never seen as many people walk out of a film, it was dire rubbish. Very disaapointing, could have been a really great movie but the musical side was not a good watch
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- amy said...
- Posted on Jan 25 2008 23:54 i am going to go c this movie tomorrow night i will wright a report and post it on this after.i love horror movies and musicals also, i just hope its what im expecting!!!
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- Andrew Dunning said...
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Posted on Jan 25 2008 23:44
Time Out rating spot on, dissapointing movie with a few bits of enjoyment, I started to get bored as more and more gents had their throats slit.
Singing not up to much - the two young guys had the most notable voices, the others struggled and didn't really sing.
Save this one for the DVD player ... - Report as inappropriate
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- lesley, york said...
- Posted on Jan 25 2008 21:02 BRILLIANT! GREAT PERFORMANCES ALL ROUND, SOMETHING DIFFERENT,MESMORIZING!!
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- Daniel said...
- Posted on Jan 25 2008 17:42 I think this film loks bluddy brill but a diny think it should be a 18!!!!!!!!!! man it should be a 15 .
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- katie said...
- Posted on Jan 25 2008 17:33 if its a musical why have it as a certificate 18!! alot of the people who enjoy musucals are under!ahhhh
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- Slo said...
- Posted on Jan 24 2008 22:22 Wow, am I the only one who thought this film to be poor. Depp sounded like David Bowie in song and dialogue... yes thats right badly.... Songs come at you constantly, well not really songs, just fast corr blimey dialogue with a tune attached. Another view for the Americans to have of old London Town.
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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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