Sweeney Todd- The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street (2 Disc Special Edition)

You’ll need either a dark room or your brightness up high for this one, the whole thing is filmed in the darkness. It’s also very graphic, everything happens within the last 15 minutes and it’s a little confusing if you don’t read the plot line.

fab but i didn't see the bit were the bird was silenced.

I have watched many of Tim Burton films and many of Johnny's Depp's film as well as the films where these two worked together. Needless to say I loved most of them. That's why I was so happy when I found out that the two would be doing a film together yet again to make the musical Sweeney Todd. I already knew the gist of the story, that it was about a murderous Barber who kills his customers and then with the help of his neighbor Mrs Lovett makes them into pies. Of course as I watched the movie I found the story had much more depth to it.The story starts with Sweeney's return to London with a young Sailor Boy who rescued him from the ocean. To Anthony he tells him about a Barber and his Wife. Really it is Sweeney's past as Benjamin Barker, and how because a corrupt Judge lusted after his wife, sent the Barber away for 15 years on a false charge so he could have the wife. Sweeney returns to be ruinited with his wife and child Johanna now a young girl, but after meeting his old neighbor Mrs Lovett and learns of their fates, a thirst revenge becomes an all consuming obession. Sweeney Todd is not a happy story but a greek tradgedy with a moral of revenge. And it's clear to see even before the furious, unpredictable Epiphany "They all deserve to die!" and the humourous yet dark Little Preist "It's man devouring man, my dear! Then who are we to deny here?" that this is a story that is not going to have a happy ending.Burton does not sugarcoat the film as other's might have done. Neck's are cut with blood squirting everywhere, head's are bludgeoned and body's beaten and without spoiling anything the ending is the most violent of all. Another is that Burton, Depp and Carter haven't glorified the story. we sympathise with Sweeney and the injustice done to him past and present and also with Mrs Lovett and her unrequited love for Sweeney, but by the bittersweet Not While I'm Around you can't ignore the evilness that the duo do.The film does have it's light and funny scenes. Despite the characters and subplot been shortened for the movie Burton does focus on the love plot between the Sailor Anthony and Sweeney's daughter Johanna. As well as the humourous comments made in the film there is the hilarious song By the Sea where the film is suddenly changed from it's dark, dreary colours to a sudden, and shocking vividness of Mrs Lovett's fantasy. From Sweeney's laughable yet strangely cute bathing suit to his hirious expressions during the song, all done wonderfully by Depp, it's a funny change from the dark mood the film has throughout. However this is a story about the Demon Barber and it is his story which is the main one, so song's such as 'Kiss Me' sung by Anthony and Johanna which was in the play is excluded giving a much darker interpretation to the two characters. Even the delerious yet funny song By the Sea has a darker edge to it as despite the funny visuals Mr's Lovett's desperateness can be seen.The actor's and actresses in the film played their part's wonderfully. Depp while may have cast doubts on others when chosen to the play the part, especially as he'd never sung before, proved in my eyes to be a perfect choice for Sweeney. With his pale face, dark hair with white streak and seductive yet creepy voice, his singing while may not be as professionial as previous Sweeney's is great to listen to none the less and his acting as the insane, revenge hungry Barber is superb. His furious snarles in Epiphany and calming crooning in My Friends are just one of the main examples where he shines in the film. He really out does himself and even put's his own interpretation on the character making Sweeney more brooding, subverted, and angrier. His expressions particuarly the eyes in the film are one's to watch as they show so much. Nothing is as powerful as watching his eyes go from been so sorrowful to suddenly rapid and crazed in a second. Despite Depp been my favourite actor I was not biased and went into this film with an open mind, when it was over I left loving Depp even more. To me he is Sweeney Todd.Carter while may have a voice considered too weak or at least not strong enough to sing Mrs Lovett's parts does well enough and what she lacks in her singing she certainly makes up for with her acting as Mrs Lovett. She gives a much deeper interpreation to the amoral Baker, not seen in other Lovett's before. From her evident lust for Sweeney in My Friends as she tries to gain his attention "I'm your friend too Mr Todd", to her devotedness for him in Poor Thing "There was a Barber and his Wife, and he was beautiful" to her sadness and tears after Not While I'm Around, Carter presents Mrs Lovett in a way that you can;t help but feel for her and even like her despite her evil deeds with Sweeney.Alan Rickman and Timmothy Spall are wonderful as the villains really making you hate them, and Sacha Baron Cohen while has a small part in the film is priceless as Pirelli the 'King of the Babers, the Barber of Kings' and the scenes that he are in steal the show. Even Jayne Wisener and Jamie Campbell Bower play and sing their parents well. Special mention should go out to Edward Sanders who plays the innocent Toby who works for Pirelli and Laura Michelle Kelly who plays the crazed Beggar Woman. Probably the two best singers in the whole movie they both play their parts wonderfully, especially Kelly who's Beggar Woman is a joy to watch and only makes me wish she'd had more scenes.One of Burton, Depp and Carter's best it is a fantastic film which is enjoyable and fun to watch yet at the same time tragic and left me thinking about the story and film after seeing it. Scenes such as the ending (one of the most haunting i've seen) or the tragic and at the same time guiltily funny Johanna Reprise are memorable. Despite some songs having to be cut out (The Ballad which is one I was sad to see cut I feel was neccasary) are done wonderfully and are catchy. I couldn't get the Final Scene, My Friends or Johanna out of my head for quite a while. Even if you don't like the songs or are not a fan of musicals I urge you to still give the film a try as it is (to me) a great film which should not be missed and does justice to the Sweeney Todd play

Foooni movie

Stephen sondheims famous musical about sweeney todd the demon barber of fleet street comes to the cinema screen. Starring johnny deep and helena bonham carter in the tale of the barber and the pie shop owner who kill people and put their remains in pies whilst plotting revenge against the judge who sent sweeney to australia years before. a cautionary tale about how revenge can consume you, this features superb performances from all the cast and some excellent singing. The musical has had several songs altered and some cut in order to make it work for the big screen, so it's not quite what theatre goers will recall, but the majority survives fine.Note that:This is a musical. characters burst into song quite a lot of the time. But don't let that put you off because it works superbly. they are very good singers as well.It's a 18 certificate, because it doesnt skimp on the gory details of throats being cut by sweeney.But beyond that, it's a masterpiece of design and acting and great music, and a compelling spectacle that is one of the best films of the year.This two disc edition features an english language track, and subtitlse in english arabic greek hebrew and icelandic. on both the discs.the first features the movie, with direct scene access.and the second has a good array of extras:a twenty five minute long documentary on the making of the film, which is very comprehensive, called burton + depp + carter = todddocumentaries on the stage show, london of the time, and the actual history of the character [as to whether he was real or not] all absolutely fascinating.a documentary on grand guignol, a type of rather gory theatre that were plays similar to this. interesting but a bit preturbing.documentaries about the design of the film, how the effects for the throat cuts were done, a photo gallery of stills from the film the making of it and the design of it, and razors refrain, which plays snippets of the songs over more stills.great film. and an excellent package for it

Really good watch .. loved it !

Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham carter at their finest

I can't remember the last time I was this excited about watching a film. I'd heard all the hype and was praying that it lived up to it - well, it did - for the most part anyway.You know when you see Tim Burton's name on the screen that you're not getting just any old film. The atmosphere from the opening credits sets the scene perfectly for what you're about to experience over the next 2 hours.I knew it was a musical, so no surprises there, but I did wonder how much music there would be, especially at the start as it seemed to be nothing but, however it was a very useful way of giving us the background to Barker's life, and why he is the way he is. All the singers do a great job, but I can't help but think the film could have been just as good without the musical elements.Johnny Depp is outstanding as always, and Alan Rickman is on top form as the twisted Judge Turpin. My main gripe though is the ending - it all seemed to be too abrupt - as if there had been some serious editing at the last minute.However, this is a fantastic film, and one which I think will get better with each viewing. Highly recommended.