Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (DVD)

Tim Burton was always known to be a director that didn't attend to the Academy's personal taste. His movies were true auteur works, always with a Gothic stunning visual and stories there weren't always what it seemed. It was as if Burton were filming every movie on Halloween. Now, however, it's going to be hard for the Academy to ignore Burton's new film- definitely his best one. Sweeney Todd offers the unlikely pairing of musical and horror. And, man, it works splendidly.

The story begins with Benjamin Barker's arrest by Judge Turpin, a true personification of evil, a man who doesn't think twice in convicting Barker for a crime he did not commit. Sent away of London, he returns with a new facet: Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Until this moment on, his barbershop is scenery to grim assassination- through which the evidences of murder are kept hidden thanks to the help of Mrs. Lovett, the baker. Sweeney vows revenge against the judge.

Burton's direction is truly fantastic, exploring his already trademark visuals with bravura. This time, the dark pictures really suit the story, in a way that they both contrast each other; for no matter how dark the city is, it can't compare to the citizens that live within it. Sweeney, once a pure man, becomes the darkest of them all. And there is no better actor in the world that could portray this like Johnny Depp does. His performance is a defining one, one that goes far beyond the Jack Sparrows, Edward Scissorhands, or J.M Barries that Depp portrayed with perfection. Sweeney Todd is a man torn apart by vengeance, a man that answers only to the call of death. Depp illustrates the psychological factors of the character in subtle nuances, giving one of the greatest performances in the history of cinema. A true achievement that lives up to the excellence of the entire movie.

Much to my amazement, Tim Burton has made a good adaptation of this classic Stephen Sondheim musical. He has paid attention to Sweeney Todd's dark, despicable turn-of-the-century (19th Century) London, as though this was a film adaptation of the Brecht-Weill opera, "Threepenny Opera". This film adaptation is a worthy addition to all of the great Broadway musicals that have been translated successfully into film, mostly for the brilliantly acted - and well sung - performance of Sweeney Todd by Johnny Depp (I also recommend it for the lush, well-played orchestral score by an orchestra of British musicians.). Depp's intensely vivid portrayal is truly mesmerizing, and his superb acting is effectively demonstrated too in his untrained, but emotionally intense, singing. Other excellent singers include both the surprising Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen. Even Helena Bonham Carter - whose voice isn't nearly as strong as Depp's - is quite convincing as Mrs. Lovett. However, in spite of this, I think they are a good match. I believe that this excellent film adaptation of "Sweeney Todd" will be long remembered as the best one ever made from a Stephen Sondheim musical. I have watched it a few times now and it still grabs my full attention every time.

YOU EITHER LOVE OR HATE THIS FILM. IT IS A MUSICAL, AMONGST ALSO BEING A GREAT STORY/MOVIE. TIM BURTON WRITTEN ALL OVER IT, WITH DARK, SHADY, GOTHIC SCENES. ABSOLUTELY CRACKING SETS. I PERSONALLY LIKE THE SONGS. BETTER IF YOU LISTEN TO THEM MORE THAN ONCE. QUITE BLOODYSCENES AS TITLE IMPLIES. GREAT FILM IN MY BOOKS. CAN I RECOMMEND? YES, IF YOU ACCEPT IT FOR BEING A MUSICAL.

I went to see Sweeney Todd at the cinema and wasn't sure what to expect, I am a big fan of Tim Burton and felt confident that any film that included Tim and Johnny would be worth watching but had reservations because I hate musicals.

I had no reason to worry because the acting was first class as usual, the effects were amazing and even the songs were catchy and memorable once I was on my way home. I would say however out of the 4 of us that went to see the film the other 3 people were not so impressed. And further more the people that I have forced to watch the DVD since purchasing on ebay have not been that impressed either. I still love the film but would never pay the £23 asking price in the shops.

Overall an excellent film but not everyones cup of tea.

I saw the musical performed when i was at university and loved it. I hadnt heard ity again for 8 years and thought i d forgotten the songs but it all came flooding back to me. Its a great production with a mixture of character work and beauty. Im so very happy I bought this. Might buy the CD next so i can sing along in the car.

FANTASTIC. i think this film is brilliant. i watched it with an open mind, after all it is a musical, and was amazed. All parts are played brilliantly and the songs are really catchy. Great twist in the story! DEFINATELY A MUST SEE FILM!!!

I watched this DVD out of pure curiosity to listen to Johnny Depp and Alan Rickman singing; I didn't think they could! While their voices are not the greatest, the acting quality made up for what they lacked in tone.
The costumes and sets looked good and the whole effect blended well. Special effects were quite dramatic; I don't think one human body holds quite so much blood, or that it flows out quite so smoothly when a throat is cut! I have seen animals killed this way; however, I can overlook that small complaint in the overall enjoyment watching this film gave.
Depp's portrayal of insanity was convincing and Rickman's ability to portray an unpleasant character is second to none.
I am a fan of both actors and once again they did not fail to entertain.

This film is a musical which is about a barber named 'Benjamin Barker' whos life was ruined when he was exhiled from the country leaving his wife and chld behind.. Many years later he returns but under a new name 'Sweeney todd' and he is back for revenge this time. When i first heard about this film i was excited, Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor and has been in many Tim Burton films, however i was unsure whether it would work as him being a singing part. i was plesently suprised when i did get to see it though, theres a lot of blood and gore in this film so be advised before watching it, but its a great film even if you only see it once.

the style and colour of the DVD.
The darkness of the story
the reality of the truth.
The perfect fit of the characters and the harshness of the voice of Sweeney Todd, who makes his character even darker and twisted than you expect

Absolutely Fantastic, could never get tired of watching it.
The songs are so catchy, and the storyline is full of twists & surprises. Keeps you on the edge of your seat to the very end.

And Johnny Depp is fantastic in it.

Highly recommended.

i decided to buy it just because i had never seen it before, but i was a little disappointed with it as it was a bit too long and rather repetative.

Having seen the original film Sweeny Todd many years ago I wanted to see this film as I like blood and gore. I knew it was a musical and I like Johnny Depp. However the music didnt work for me. I would have preferred less singing and more dialogue.Its no where as good as Phantom of the opera.

It came not quick but not slow! However, described as sed. New condition! Played fabulous. Thank you !

Having enjoyed the stage production, I thought I would treat myself to the film version. I was impressed by Johnny Depp's performance as he underplayed Sweeney's bloodlust, which made him more creepy!
This film is not for the faint-hearted; if you do not like blood, you will not like this as blood appears in abundance!
Some of the song from the stage version are missing, but those that are there are well performed by all the actors.
A film I enjoyed more then I had expected to.

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Tim Burton's film adaption of the musical, stars Johnny Depp (who sings and dances) as the demon barber, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen. One thing that may hurt the film, is the nonstop gore and gurgling blood throughout the film. But if that is what you want in a film as i do this is one film to see. Jonny Depp plays the part exstreamly well and is the perfect actor to have played him.

I had seen it at the cinema and was impressed so I deceided to buy the DVD so that I could enjoy it again.

I really did not know this was a musical, if I did I would not have bought it. Found it hard work to watch and in fact I have not finished watching it all the way through, don't think I ever will.

JD is of course one of my fav actors.
I addition to this, i'm a big fan of serial killers and mass murderers so i was dying to see this movie remake to see if it was all that and a bag of chips.

I was gutted!
This is not a horror movie as the seller led me to assume, instead, it is a musical!
A complete waste of my time!

Ray Winstone walked all over this movie with his version of Sweeney Todd and he was much more convincing than JD.

No doubt, if you took all the stupid silly music out, then, it would lay back into the horror film it should have been.

After all,
Sweeney Todd was a serial killer who slit peoples throats and then fed them to the locals....
That's nothing to sing about is it?!

Bad singing.
Bad script.
Bad plot.
Good imagery.
Bad film.

The film is too long and hingers far too much on the two main characters that can't sing. Using a bad singer for a song or two lends the poor quality meaning. Giving all the songs to them (helps to) ruins the film.

Tim Burtons sweeney todd

Benjamin Barker : Johnny Depp
Judge Turpin : Alan Rickman
Mrs. Lovett : Helena Bonham Carter

After the death of his wife and the capture of his daughter Benjamin is driven mad and on a killing spree to kill all those responsible for her death. He joins forces with Mrs. Lovett and the pair open a barber shop. This is where they kill there victims. The evidence is then used in pies made by Mrs.Lovett.

Musical

I love this film, it's abit like moulin rouge except a darker side. Mrs.Lovett is good when she's baking the pies and theres cockroaches running round lol- yummy
It's one of the best films ive seen. It's nice to see Johnny depp transform into this bold character as were used to the silly pirates of the carrabein character he plays. I recommend this film, once youve seen it you will not be dissapointed

didnt think much to the film, not really into musicals. some gory bits though! a friend reccommended it to me

I just loved Jonny Depp in the pirates films he did so I thought I would see what he is like in a musical, it did not dissapoint, there was some of the magic that you see in the pirates of the caribean series of films but this was a much darker film altogether, my only complaint is that the ending to me seemed rushed and it all came to an end in the last 10 mins, other than that if you like Jonny Depp then you will like this.