Sweeney Todd (2006)

Good story, Not enough for a whole film

best movie i've ever seen.

Best movie ever!

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

Exactly how a wonderful story such as Sweeney Todd should be told. Everything about this production is head and shoulders above everything else. First up, we have the setting. This is truly a disgusting London, filled with waste and disease. Next we have Winstone, giving an astonishing performance. It shows how someone like Depp is a performer, but fails to attach himself to the emotional complexity of such a character. Winstone doesn't just decide that people are scum and start offing them. His first kill is a sudden and regrettable impulse. He even checks on the body later in the hopes that he isn't dead. Like so many real-life killers, Winstone's motivations come from a deep rooted psychological trauma. As he continues, the killing becomes the norm. It's his answer to vengeance, suspicion, and his way of attracting a woman. Davis is also brilliant as Lovett. For once this isn't some creepy madwoman, but a fragile and easily manipulated pawn. I can't speak highly enough of this film, or the way it demonstrates how stories from over a hundred years ago, can still be fresh and involving.

I loved the story of Sweeney Todd after seeing Johnny Depp do the musical number. I loved it so much I am looking for other versions. This one is outstanding.Unlike Depp's version, this one with Ray Winstone (The Proposition, The Departed, Sexy Beast, Beowulf) is a truer picture of the dark and grimy London of the 18th Century. It is so bad, that you have to cover your nose with a handkerchief when you approach the beggars in the jail to give them a penny.Sweeney did not set out to kill anyone. He was visited in his barber shop by a jailer that brought back old memories. He killed him without thinking and each time got easier. He becomes attracted to a pie maker Mrs. Lovett (Essie Davis - Charlotte's Web, Maggie from The Matrix sequels). In the course of that relationship, we are introduced to abortion, spousal abuse, and atheism. She is married at the time, but as barbers were also surgeons (without anesthesia, I might add) he dispatches her husband in the process of removing a stone.They become friends as he is unable to perform, and he sets her up in her own pie shop. She has a steady stream of lovers which he dispatched and presents to her as meat from his brother. She is clueless as to what is going on. This is a far different version than I have seen before and you are really hooked to see what is going to happen. There are some side stories involving a policeman, and Sweeney's father that really added to the mystery.Winstone and Davis were superb, as was David Warner as the local Magistrate.The only complaint I had was not really every seeing Mrs Lovett's pies. As Sweeney peeked in on her trysts, we just got to see the guy on top. They could have given us a little peek.This was slightly better than the Ben Kingsly version, but there are more to see, including another musical.

This was a reasonable production of an excellent musical, but I recommend the George Hearn / Angela Lansbury version every time.In a previous comment, alan_cricketman4 from Belfast UK, states: "I can understand producers using artistic licence and having to cut details and chronologically alter events etc., but to change the facts of such a well known and well documented case is just downright silly. I suggest that very little research has been applied here (by producers and reviewers alike) and a good website to browse, and learn further details on the case, is "Court TV CRIME LIBRARY"."I fact, Sweeney Todd was universally accepted to be an 'urban myth' up to about 1993, due to the lack of other evidence. In 1993, a new book, was published. Of this book, Wikipedia says: "In his 1993 book Sweeney Todd: The Real Story of the Demon Barber of Fleet, the horror and crime story writer Peter Haining argues that Sweeney Todd was a historical figure who committed his crimes around 1800. However, other researchers who have researched his citations find nothing in these sources to back up what Haining claims they said".I realise that Wikipedia is not always entirely accurate, but I think it is fair to say that what Mr Haining has done is researched a theory about the origin of Sweeney Todd, which is worthy of consideration, but far from accepted historical truth.

Sweeney Todd is a master of his craft, learnt whilst serving 20 years for a murder his father committed. Once on the outside; he excels in his trade as a barber and gains an enviable reputation with customers of all classes. Slowly cracks appear in his professional demeanour and the murders begin..PROSA superb performance from Ray Winstone as the demon barber, solid script and well supported by the main characters. Expertly played as a tragic man, Todd comes across as a very complex character; abused and neglected as a child and constantly manipulated by his drunkard murderer of a father. Yet striving for acceptance from his peers, his few acquaintances and surprisingly; his father.For what could have become a by the numbers period BBC production, Winstone's performance lifts his character, and the simple story to Lecter 'esque levels of screen infamy. Expect some 'Best Actor' BAFTA nominations for this work. The photography is very good, using a superb palette and masterful use of lighting, both artificial and natural. Convincing VFX and competent audio cap a classy production. CONS: Marred by somewhat dubious casting for the minor roles, and notably the younger members of the cast. If only the younger actors were of Winstone's calibre.