It’s an old story…
The legend of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street dates back to the 19th century, but was brought to modern audience in 1979 by Sondheim, who wrote the popular musical after seeing a play about the character. The story centers around Benjamin Barker, a simple barber and family man who was unjustly arrested, convicted, and sentenced to prison on trumped up charges after Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) took an interest in his beautiful wife Lucy. With Barker out of the way, Turpin assaults Lucy and gains custody of Barker’s baby daughter Johanna. When the film opens, fifteen years have passed. Barker, now disguised as Sweeney Todd, has escaped and returned to London, bent on finding his family and getting revenge. He returns to his old home on Fleet Street where he is recognized by Mrs. Lovett, purveyor of the worst meat pies in London. She tells him that Lucy is dead and that his daughter has been raised by the judge, which enflames his rage. She then gives him his razors, which she has kept for him all these years, encouraging him to forget the past and become a barber again.
Todd and Mrs. Lovett go to the market, where Todd publicly challenges Pirelli, a flamboyant “Italian” barber (Sacha Baron Cohen) to a shaving duel. Todd wins, but Pirelli recognizes him as Barker, having apprenticed with him as a child. Pirelli confronts Todd in his shop and attempts to blackmail him, but instead gets his throat cut for his trouble. When Mrs. Lovett discovers what Todd has done, she, always practical, suggests that prices being what they are, it would be wrong to let all that fresh meat go to waste. Todd agrees and having developed a taste for murder, begins plotting to get Judge Turpin into his barber’s chair.
Meanwhile, Anthony, a young sailor Todd met on his journey home, has spotted Johanna in her window. Having fallen in love, he is determined to help her escape the marriage-minded judge so they can run away together. Knowing no one else in London and unaware of Todd’s connection to Johanna and Turpin, he decides to enlist Todd’s help, but accidentally interrupts Todd just as he is about to slit Turpin’s throat. Turpin, now aware of Anthony’s plan to steal away his child bride-to-be, secretly sends her off to a mental asylum instead. Todd, frustrated, redirects his lust for vengeance towards the general population, boosting Mrs. Lovett’s pie business in the process, while Anthony searches London for the imprisoned Johanna. Eventually, the story winds its way to an appropriately gruesome conclusion, although, as one might guess, not all the characters make it there alive.
Burton at his best
There may be no better director in Hollywood than Burton for a project like Sweeney Todd. He is brilliant when it comes to handling this kind of dark material and humanizing his anti-heroes. Despite Todd’s murderous ways, Burton still manages to present him as a sympathetic character that audiences can understand. This is, of course, due in no small part to Depp’s facility with dark horse lead roles – he can make the eccentric and horrifying attractive like no one else. Bonham Carter, Rickman, Baron Cohen, and Timothy Small, who plays Turpin’s henchman Beadle Bamford, are also fantastic in their respective roles. One caution to sensitive viewers: aside from the material being obviously unsuitable for all audiences, you should be aware that the violence is rather graphically presented, which some may find a little hard to stomach.
Sondheim aficionados will also find much to appreciate in Burton’s adaptation, despite the rearrangement or removal of some of the musical parts, such as the chorus and their Ballad of Sweeney Todd. Although neither Depp nor Bonham Carter had vocal training or singing experience prior to this film, they both have worked hard on their voices and do an amazing job with the complex and difficult vocals. Musically, their parts have been performed better on stage by better trained singers. However, in the intimate medium of film, acting ability is more crucial than musical ability, as long as the latter is at an acceptable level. In this case, both actors bring such character and feeling to their roles that they remain excellent casting choices despite their lack of musical experience.
A superior special edition
The film has been released in single disc and double disc versions, both widescreen. The video and audio is crisp and clean and the menu system is well-organized and a breeze to navigate. The two-disc collector’s edition comes in a standard keep case with an artistic cardboard slipcover and includes a rich assortment of special features. Disc One contains the film and a behind-the-scenes look at the collaboration between Burton, Bonham Carter, and Depp. Disc Two is entirely special features, including several “making of” shorts, a panel interview with Burton and the cast, a look at the historical origins of the Sweeney Todd legend, the film trailer, and a photo gallery. Fans of the director, actors, or composer should consider the collector’s set as they are likely to appreciate this great collection of extras.