Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)

A masterpiece

While the recently-released movie version with Johnny Depp, et al, has much to recommend it, you haven't really experienced the sheer genius of Stephen Sondheim's Magnum Opus until you have viewed this version. The movie version is able to show things not possible in the stage version, but the necessity to cut the time to an acceptable movie length leaves out much of the majesty. The chorus, the magnificent staging, and the performances of the leads are in a class by themselves. August 25, 2008

One word for this Movie Amazing!

This broadway video was Amazing! Sweeney Todd at his best! The movie has so many twists and turns it will keep you guessing and laughing to the very end. would recomend this video for any one who loves a Great Musical and a Good Laugh !Angela Lansbury Shined at her best as Nellie and George Hearn played a Frightingly Funny Sweeney Todd ! Get ths Video Trust me Your Gonna Love It ! God Bless!,Heather August 14, 2008

Great Stage Production

After seeing the Johnny Depp movie adaptation of Sweeny, I was intrigued about what the uncut stage show would be like. I enjoyed the film, but many viewers complained about the missing songs and singing quality. This version was very well reviewed so I decided to rent it to see what the fuss was about. And, it was excellent. For those who may not know, this is an actual stage show that was filmed live. So, you can see the audience at times and the sets are limited. The sound quality is very good, but not as high quality as in a film. There is a touch of echo at times. However, this is very minor considering the age of the production. The costumes are great for a live performance; loud and flashy to reach the people in the back, though Mrs. Lovett is the only character who actually changes costumes noticeably. The colors of this production have also stood the test of time.

I've been a fan of Angela Lansbury for years. I loved her in many Disney movies, and found her singing very good in them. So, I expected her to do well here and she did not disappoint. She easily played the villain to great effect in "Manchurian Candidate" so I knew she was capable of the dark role. After seeing Lansbury, I realize how inadequate Helena Bonham Carter was as Mrs. Lovett in the recent film version. I finally got the nuance and macabre humor in all her songs - in particular "A Little Priest." Lansbury plays the part with a loony aspect. Mrs. Lovett isn't the brightest apple in the tree and her evil deeds are motivated more by selfish practicality rather than burning revenge as Sweeny is. This worked beautifully for comic relief amidst the dark story. She more than deserved her Tony Award. I had never heard of George Hearn before seeing him in this DVD. However, he was fantastic as Sweeney Todd. His voice is deep and resounding, and came through quite clearly from the stage. The necessarily heavy make-up (once again to reach the people in the cheap seats) made him appear even more twisted. Every song he sang was chock-full of emotion and he was a demanding presence on stage. These two were phenomenal in their leading roles.

My biggest gripe with the Depp film was the minor characters. They weren't developed at all, and the two lovebirds were totally unremarkable. Here, having the full playbook and more time, that is not the case. Turpin, Joanna and the rest become viable participants in the events taking place and fill out the plot. Their singing was all quite good. And I have to say that the film should have kept the Greek Chorus and the "Ballad of Sweeney Todd." The song really filled out Sweeny's motivations and tied the whole thing together. This would have helped the film overcome the gaps that the missing songs (necessarily cut for time) made. Overall, this was a wonderful production. Though it can't compare to actually seeing it live, it was well worth watching. I can only hope that the film spurs producers to bring the musical back to theatres. I would be the first in line for tickets at the Kennedy Center! August 1, 2008

Bravo for Angela Lansbury

I have all of the productions you can purchase for Sweeney Todd and was fortunate enough to have attended this production in NYC. The singing is great and musical one of my favorite. Angela Lansbury is over the top in this production and worth the entire experience.. July 2, 2008

Don't Bother

Landsbury and Hearn tripping over each other to hog the stage. Long vibratos as if it were a competition of who had the loudest and most obnoxious one. You couldn't even hear the pitch they were trying to "sing". Their vibratos weren't in sync, which just made it offensive to anyone with any taste whatsoever.

Skip this one, and get the Burton rendition, you'll enjoy the simply told story that can stand on its own much, much more. June 22, 2008

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