Now in their sixth collaboration, the two have tackled one of the most unusual musicals ever to hit the stage. Sweeney Todd is a story about an anti-hero in the mid-19th century London. Benjamin Barker (Johnny Depp) is a barber who comes back to Fleet Street from back from false imprisonment, to seek his revenge. Here he meets his unlikely partner in crime, Mrs. Nellie Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter). Changing his name to Sweeney Tood, Barker along with Mrs. Lovett, begins their rein of terror on Fleet Street and in particular, the evil Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman). As Sweeney delivers sweet revenge, Mrs. Lovett turns them successfully into her meat pies. Hard times offer up hard twisted decisions with this dark twisted story, that have been thrilling disgusting audiences on Broadway for years.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is based on the Stephen Sondheim Broadway play. Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, was ahead of it’s time on Broadway and was the precursor to many other musicals based on horror themes, like The Phantom of the Opera. Tim Burton’s adaptation is equally ahead of it’s time, balancing the macabre with beautiful imagery and wonderful performances by many unlikely actors. Who knew that Johnny Depp could actually sing? In fact his performance is so perfect it may be impossible to ever think of anyone else in the role but Depp.
Sweeney Todd came out earlier this year on standard DVD and now finally has it’s blu-ray debut. Sweeney Todd is one of those films that shines with the blu-ray format and I can’t imagine wanting to watch it any other way. Along with the film, comes with all the great bonus features that came with the original DVD release.
Tim Burton has never been big on commentary or talking about his films in general, in fact if you listen to his commentary for his film Pee-Wee’s Big Adventure, you’d understand why. Regardless, there’s many other ways to get a director to talk and make it interesting and entertaining.
The blu-ray is stuffed with featurettes on everything from the original Broadway play, the historical origins of the demon barber and of course the whole process of making the film. They really take the time in fleshing out everything that is Sweeney Todd and it’s all in HD.
Oh and make sure you check out the Moviefone Unscripted with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp feature, if Burton isn’t high as a kite during it then I don’t know my stoners!
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street brings the elements and themes that Tim Burton knows so well. Along with Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is cinema magic. Even if you aren’t generally a fan of musicals, Sweeney Todd is worth watching. Do yourself a favor and go pick it up on blu-ray.
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