Customer Reviews

The first film of Burton's I disliked - By: Mrs. K. Salter, 09 Aug 2008
I have to say I normally love Tim Burton's films - even the ones for kids such as Nightmare Before Christmas & Corpse Bride. I also adore Depp so I was eager to get my hands on this DVD. What a total disappointment. I found the whole film tedious - from start to finish, & it was a chore to watch it but I was determined to see it allin case it improved as it went along. It didn't. I'm afraid this is likely to stay on my DVD shelf gathering dust or appear on Marketplace at a cut price! As I said, the first ever bad film I think Tim Burton has made which is such a shame.

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Superb Film Adaptation of Sondheim's Musical From Tim Burton - By: John Kwok, 09 Aug 2008
Much to my amazement, Tim Burton has crafted a well-realized adaptation of this classic Stephen Sondheim musical. He has paid ample attention to Sweeney Todd's dark, despicable turn-of-the-century (19th Century) London, & to its denizens, as though this was a film adaptation of the Brecht-Weill opera, "Threepenny Opera". This film adaptation is a worthy addition to all of the great Broadway musicals that have been translated successfully into film, most notably for the brilliantly acted - & well sung - performance of Sweeney Todd by Johnny Depp (I also recommend it for the lush, well-played orchestral score by an orchestra of British musicians.). Depp's intensely vivid portrayal is truly mesmerizing, & his superb acting is effectively demonstrated tooin his untrained, but emotionally intense, singing. Other excellent singers include both the surprising Alan Rickman & Sacha Baron Cohen. Even Helena Bonham Carter - whose voice isn't nearly as strong as Depp's - is quite convincing as Mrs. Lovett. However,in spite of this, I believe that this excellent film adaptation of "Sweeney Todd" will be long remembered as the best one ever made from a Stephen Sondheim musical.

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Cutting Edge! - By: Mr. Michael Heron, 30 Jul 2008
When I went to see this movie at the cinema, I wasn't expecting a musical. However, from the first sinister intonation of 'There's no place like London' from Johnny Depp's Sweeney Todd, I was hooked.

Depp's portrayal of the Demon Barber is superb - although he is not a 'classically' good singer, he puts the songs across exactly as I would imagine Sweeney Todd doing so -in short, his interpretation of the songs is far more effective than it would have been if he was a 'better' singer. Helena Bonham Carter excels as always, giving a distinctly sinister appeal to Mrs. Lovett - the changein presentation from Angela Lansburyin the stage adaptation is striking. Finally Alan Rickman is - well, he's Alan Rickman. That's enough of an endorsement for anyone, surely!

The songs are beautifully presented, poignant & filled with irrepressible dark humour, & the gore is - well, it's so ludicrously over the top you can't take it seriously.

This is easily the best film about a psychotic singing barber that I have ever seen! However, I would advise caution for those who find musicals not to their taste - I doubt it would convert the hardest sceptics.

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How bad was this? - By: C. ARNOLD, 18 Jul 2008
What a terrible film. Burton can't do musicals. No one can sing properly. The lyrics are dire & it was such a drag to watch. Stuck half way between a stage musical & a film. The movie has those great indulgent Tim Burton touches but even Depp & Carter can't save it. Rickman was good though. Thought it a bit too blood lustin places. Not his best effort.

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Great Sweeney but too bad about Mrs Lovitt - By: Lady Chatterbox, 07 Jul 2008
This is a triumph for Burton & Depp but too bad about Mrs Lovitt. The direction is tight as a drum, and, although I am a fan of the full stage production, I didn't miss the music that was cut because it was not necessary for a film. Depp executes a role-defining characterisation & sings excellently giving the music a modern feel through his pop/rock style. Sacha Baron-Cohen was also nothing short of fabulous as was the young boy.

For the most part the acting is right on the money. The biggest exception was, unfortunately, the character of Mrs Lovitt. Mrs Lovitt is a pivotal character & her part requires an actor/singer who can act the songs using her voice, which requires some experience & technique. It isn't really a character to do for one's first musical. Unfortunately Ms Bonham-Carter does not generally sing everythingin tune. The 'Poor Thing' scene is beautifully shot but difficult to listen to.

Some of the extras on the DVD are quite good, particularly Sweeney's London. The 'making of ...' sections (Usually my favourite) are chock full of Burton rationalising his choice of non-singers - although the major singing parts, apart from Mrs Lovitt, ARE primarily actor/singers.