Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

15/2/2008 1h 56m 7.2/10

Overview

The infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Based on the hit Broadway musical.

Director

Tim Burton

Top Billed Cast

Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp

Sweeney Todd

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter

Mrs. Lovett

Alan Rickman

Alan Rickman

Judge Turpin

Sacha Baron Cohen

Sacha Baron Cohen

Pirelli

Timothy Spall

Timothy Spall

Beadle

Jamie Campbell Bower

Jamie Campbell Bower

Anthony

Reviews

CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

7/6/2022

7/10

The triumvirate of Tim Burton, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham-Carter returns for this entertaining adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's musical adaptation of the deathly vengeful antics of the eponymous London barber and his pie making accomplice. For my money, it features one of the best songs from Sondheim's repertoire - "Not While I'm Around" which neatly brings me to the starring role, for me at any rate - the young Edward Sanders who plays "Toby" strongly and charmingly. Jamie Campbell Bower also delivers well amongst a supporting cast of solid British stage talent - a rather menacing Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall amongst them. It is dark and gritty, and stays fairly faithful to the theatrical performance that impresses not just with it's solid performances (perhaps not so much with Johnny Depp who comes across as eerily uncomfortable) but with the super costume and make-up effects, the lighting and, of course, a score that marries cleverly the threatening with the frequent (very black) humour. HBC is probably at her best here, I have rarely seen her more effective in a role and she can certainly hold the attention, if not so much perfect pitch, whilst having fun converting customers into pasties. Like the stage play, it has highs and lows but on the whole it progresses entertainingly enough to a conclusion that I didn't like so much - I always like a good baddie, and these two were certainly of the most creative. Ketchup anyone?

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