The 1981-82 stage version of "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" starring George Hearn and Angela Lansbury is every bit as good as the new movie musical with heartthrob Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. As a secondary theatre arts teacher, I am always searching for staged productions on DVD or VHS that I can show in class for discussion or study rather than filmed versions which can often make a lot of changes between the original script and the final film. This was a really good stage production with a high quality, minimalist set and great era perfect costumes. The acting and singing was strong and sound. People who aren't familiar with Angela Lansbury's long illustrous stage career will be surprised with her turn here as Mrs. Lovett but she is great and Hearn is awesome as the bitter Todd. The fact that all of the actors are older adds new dimensions to the story and make some aspects of it more believeable and actually sadder. A big plus for me is that as a stage version, it is not as gory and I can show it in class and my students see true theatre. It was a good deal all around.Read full review
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham-Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen and is directed by Tim Burton, one of the most imaginative directors alive. The film takes place in London where we meet the dark character Sweeney Todd. After being falsely arrested, Mr. Todd is determined to get his revenge on those who imprisoned him and took away his wife and daughter. With the help of a woman by the name of Mrs. Lovett, a pie shop owner who serves London’s worse pies, Sweeney Todd seeks his revenge on those who striped him of his soul. This is a masterful work of art. It’s funny, scary, brilliant, romantic and ultimately thrilling. Tim Burton and Johnny Depp team up once again, this time they simply top everything that they have done. Hold on tight for Tim Burton and Johnny Depp’s darkest hour yet. Maintaining a well deserved R-rating, this goes far beyond any big-screen Broadway musical ever filmed. The dark and gloomy atmosphere creates a creepy vibe that only Tim Burton could nail with such acuracy. The songs were sung with such perfection and the strangely catchy lyrics make for one hell of a musical. Up for a total of four Golden Globe Nominations, including best picture, “Sweeney Todd” is a radiant horror musical. Helena Bonham-Carter is as beautiful as her voice and Johnny Depp belts out each note in such a rich and stylized manner. Taking it’s number one spot on my top ten list of movies for 2007, this is without a doubt the most unusual Broadway musical that has ever made it to the big screen. It’s dark material for both Burton and Depp. A creepy and well-crafted thriller that marks the high point of Burton’s career. It’s as exciting, gripping, remarkable and overwhelming as a movie can be. The best film of the year has finally arrived. Someone please give Burton his rightful award for best director. For those of you who claim to hate musicals, you will find this to be a bloody good treat. Depp fans will dig his voice, especially when he hits the strong notes. Well sung with vivid imagination that takes you to the dark side of a man without a soul, “Sweeney Todd” raises the bar far beyond any other movie ever made. This is a razzle-dazzle of a thriller with some intensely grotesque scenes. ”Sweeney Todd” is gloriously brutal, oddly romantic and hands-down the best film of the year.Read full review
This is an amazing theatre work of the incomparable Stephen Sondheim ad his collaboration with Hal Prince which features not only a brilliant score (with impeccable orchestrations but the talented Jonathan Tunick) and captures the Tony award-winning performance by Angela Lansbury and George Hearn (who replaced Len Cariou on Broadway), along with perennial Sondheim performers Victor Garber and Merle Louise.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Excellent production. Not a high quality product but one has to consider the years that have passed since it was performed by these wonderful artists. Excellent production.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
I bought this dvd because I will be playing Mrs. Lovett in a regional theatre production of Sweeney Todd, and my research method includes investigating how other actors have portrayed the part. This is a recording of the original broadway cast performance. I had seen the dvd of the broadway revival and felt the director's choices make an already creepy story even more creepy. Though both casts do an excellent job with the book and with Stephen Sondheim's score, I like the portrayal of the main characters by Ms. Lansbury and Mr. Hearn better. I also was disappointed that certain important scenes that add to the flow of the story were cut from the revival.
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