Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

2007
R
1h 56m

IMDb RATING

7.3/10

393K

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POPULARITY

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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

393K

YOUR RATING

POPULARITY

1,753

503

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 34 wins & 77 nominations total

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

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A Guide to the Films of Tim Burton

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A Guide to the Films of Tim Burton

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

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Storyline

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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

Gloriously Dark

Tim Burton has gone beyond himself and anything he has ever done. "Sweeney Todd" is stunningly beautiful. Dark? yes, bloody? sure! but then we're in Victorian London where everything is what it appears to be no matter how turgid. The meeting of Mr Todd and Mrs Lovett is so scrumptiously conceived that I'm sure will be one of those film moments that are used whenever "great film moments" are compiled. Johnny Depp will never cease to amaze me. He is not just the beautiful boy with soulful eyes, but a great actor. How extraordinary that two talents like Burton and Depp should meet at the perfect moment in time. How lucky for us! Mrs Lovett is played by another extraordinary actor: Helena Bonham Carter. She is spectacular! Sacha Baron Cohen, Alan Rickman and in particular Timothy Spall add to the perfection of this film. Dante Ferreti, the production designer and Coleen Attwood, the costume designer, deserve all the kudos they are getting and will get. Glorious!