Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

2007
R
1h 56m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

394K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

Play trailer2:32

Period Drama Slasher Horror Tragedy Drama Horror Musical Thriller

The legendary tale of a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the rape and death of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister part... Read allThe legendary tale of a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the rape and death of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.The legendary tale of a barber who returns from wrongful imprisonment to 1840s London, bent on revenge for the rape and death of his wife, and resumes his trade while forming a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

394K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

2,110

157

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 34 wins & 77 nominations total

Trivia
Composer Stephen Sondheim, notoriously protective of his stage works, long resisted offers to film this story. When Tim Burton expressed interest, however, Sondheim relented when pleased with Burton's vision for the project, and on the condition that the composer would maintain casting approval. Burton would only agree to direct with Johnny Depp in the lead, and though Sondheim feared Depp's vocals would be too "rock oriented," the composer approved the actor after a vocal audition. To approve the casting of Helena Bonham Carter, and to combat any rumor of nepotism (as Carter and Burton were romantically involved), the actress sent Sondheim no less than twelve audition tapes of her singing. Very impressed with her vocals, Sondheim immediately approved the actress. Also, in his 2010 book about his career as a songwriter, "Finishing the Hat," Sondheim states this is the only adaptation of one of his works for the screen for which he approves.

Goofs
At the start of the film, as Todd's ship arrives, a completed Tower Bridge is seen. Construction of Tower Bridge started in 1886 and it wasn't completed until 1894, at least 50 years after the film is set.

Quotes
Sweeney Todd: [sung] They all deserve to die. Tell you why, Mrs. Lovett, tell you why! Because in all of the whole human race, Mrs. Lovett, there are two kinds of men and only two. There's the one staying put in his proper place and one with his foot in the other one's face. Look at me, Mrs Lovett! Look at you! No, we all deserve to die... Even you, Mrs Lovett, even I! Because the lives of the wicked should be made brief. For the rest of us death will be a relief. We all deserve to die... And I'll never see Johanna, no I'll never hug my girl to me... FINISHED!

Crazy credits
It is raining during the opening credits. Some of the raindrops can be seen to actually be blood. The blood shortly morphs into more substantial form, showing itself to be integral to parts of what we will later see is Sweeney Todd's murderous machinery of revenge and madness.

Alternate versions
The final act in the US version uses different angles than the International version of the film during some extra violent deaths. The different angles focus more Sweeney instead of the immense amounts of blood that can be seen more vividly in the International cut. All in all it only amounts to around 3-5 seconds that are actually different and were needed in order to get the R-Rated in the US.

Connections
Edited into 5 Second Movies: Sweeney Todd Part 2 (2010)

Soundtracks
The Ballad of Sweeney Todd
(Instrumental)
Music by Stephen Sondheim (uncredited)

User reviews941

Review

Featured review

10/10

A refreshing and brilliant film

Contrary to the many comments I have read and heard about the film thus far, I thought it was absolutely wonderful. After what some could term a "dry spell" for Tim Burton, it is such a breath of fresh air to see this new offering, Sweeney Todd. The movie showed Tim returning to his roots of the dark, the sinister, and the macabre. All were blended together in the setting he is so very well-known for, the dark streets of London.

In addition, I thought the fact that he maintained the musical aspect of the film/play worked in the movie's favor. I know Johnny Depp has said that he can't sing, but he sang rather well if you ask me. Keeping the cockney accent, whether singing or not, it made the film that much better. While I was surprised to see Danny Elfman not included in this movie, I believe the music was performed and carried out beautifully, nonetheless. Indeed, the accents can at times make it hard to discern what is being said, but that's not always a bad thing, considering the circumstances. Were they to all of a sudden not speak or sing with their cockney tones, it may provide a problem with consistency. Overall, I loved the movie and have no complaints. A very refreshing return to the realms and themes that Tim Burton is so very amazing at capturing. Top notch!