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Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (The Movie)

As the only musical that I can honestly say sets out to shock and surprise; and being a fan of the original and multiple operatic attempts since it debuted in the late 70s, I wondered if I would be let down by this movie and the vocal talents signed on for it. The movie is about an hour shorter than the stage play (which robs you of some of the wonderful wit of Sondheim) and the voices are not trained for the “stage” – but I must say, Tim Burton got this right. Johnny Depp is fine vocally (more than fine as Sweeney Todd) and Helen Bonham was equally surprising as Mrs. Lovett. Being a fan of the stage and music – I first fell in love with this show long before I had seen it on stage, owning the box set on cassette, later CD and DVD – having seen my first staged version of it in the mid-80s upon moving too New York. The first version I had seen lacked the vocal talent to live up to the original Broadway Cast recording and Sondheim’s own perfected version. I had seen it later revived at New York City Opera – and the vocal talent and staging there were more suited to the difficult staging and delightful libretto Mr. Sondheim had concocted. (Most recently witnessed the Patti LuPone/Michael Cervic version which, while creatively staged, lost too much of the basic theme to staging and “interpretation”) It has always been in the back of my mind that this would someday, hopefully be a movie – and at this time last year when production began, I became extremely excited and nervous – even though I had doubts as to how this would work out. It is not an easy show to stage and the comedic moments can get lost in the serious overtone and darkness of all consuming revenge. I went to a press screening last night and while this is not a “stand and cheer” ending (how could it be – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) – this will surely shock the senses and give you a movie experience you haven’t had before. I gleefully will be attending this movie with some regularity this holiday season – if you can get to it – go with a friend (you will want someone to kick or grab onto a certain moments in the show). You may also find yourself like me saying to the movie screen at certain moments, “that’s just not right!”. Having said that, this movie is not for everyone and will not “play in Peoria” as they say (although I hope it does).

Go see this movie. Beautifully filmed, wonderfully performed – and darkly entertaining. One other screening guest, whom did not understand what he was about to see walking in commented to me, “I hear it’s like Phantom of the Opera, but with blood” – That is an insult for sure. I said, not exactly. This is much better. I have to go back and see it again – and try to keep my eyes open during those moment’s I missed the first time.

My only other comment on the above will be that – at the end of the movie – you may feel a bit like Sweeney himself – a little drained. But, with something to talk about!

Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (The Movie)

As the only musical that I can honestly say sets out to shock and surprise; and being a fan of the original and multiple operatic attempts since it debuted in the late 70s, I wondered if I would be let down by this movie and the vocal talents signed on for it. The movie is about an hour shorter than the stage play (which robs you of some of the wonderful wit of Sondheim) and the voices are not trained for the “stage” – but I must say, Tim Burton got this right. Johnny Depp is fine vocally (more than fine as Sweeney Todd) and Helen Bonham was equally surprising as Mrs. Lovett. Being a fan of the stage and music – I first fell in love with this show long before I had seen it on stage, owning the box set on cassette, later CD and DVD – having seen my first staged version of it in the mid-80s upon moving too New York. The first version I had seen lacked the vocal talent to live up to the original Broadway Cast recording and Sondheim’s own perfected version. I had seen it later revived at New York City Opera – and the vocal talent and staging there were more suited to the difficult staging and delightful libretto Mr. Sondheim had concocted. (Most recently witnessed the Patti LuPone/Michael Cervic version which, while creatively staged, lost too much of the basic theme to staging and “interpretation”) It has always been in the back of my mind that this would someday, hopefully be a movie – and at this time last year when production began, I became extremely excited and nervous – even though I had doubts as to how this would work out. It is not an easy show to stage and the comedic moments can get lost in the serious overtone and darkness of all consuming revenge. I went to a press screening last night and while this is not a “stand and cheer” ending (how could it be – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) – this will surely shock the senses and give you a movie experience you haven’t had before. I gleefully will be attending this movie with some regularity this holiday season – if you can get to it – go with a friend (you will want someone to kick or grab onto a certain moments in the show). You may also find yourself like me saying to the movie screen at certain moments, “that’s just not right!”. Having said that, this movie is not for everyone and will not “play in Peoria” as they say (although I hope it does).

Go see this movie. Beautifully filmed, wonderfully performed – and darkly entertaining. One other screening guest, whom did not understand what he was about to see walking in commented to me, “I hear it’s like Phantom of the Opera, but with blood” – That is an insult for sure. I said, not exactly. This is much better. I have to go back and see it again – and try to keep my eyes open during those moment’s I missed the first time.

My only other comment on the above will be that – at the end of the movie – you may feel a bit like Sweeney himself – a little drained. But, with something to talk about!

“Revenge they say will lead to Hell,
but everyone does it and seldom as well . . .
as Sweeney,
as Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

It’s all about releasing your inner Hamlet, Act V! A pity they eliminated the “Ballad of Sweeney Todd” from the songs, as I always felt the aforementioned moral was a gem of a lyric (along with the catchy: “He shaved the faces of gentlemen/who never thereafter were heard of again” and the equally irreverent: “So what if none of their souls were saved/they went to their maker impeccably shaved”). This story’s always been about frolicking in the gore.

“Revenge they say will lead to Hell,
but everyone does it and seldom as well . . .
as Sweeney,
as Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.”

It’s all about releasing your inner Hamlet, Act V! A pity they eliminated the “Ballad of Sweeney Todd” from the songs, as I always felt the aforementioned moral was a gem of a lyric (along with the catchy: “He shaved the faces of gentlemen/who never thereafter were heard of again” and the equally irreverent: “So what if none of their souls were saved/they went to their maker impeccably shaved”). This story’s always been about frolicking in the gore.