Sweeney Todd

Many readers may have seen a version of “Sweeney Todd” in one of its many incarnations in theaters, often as a musical, and on television. Now an exciting production that reunites Tim Burton and Johnny Depp will come to the big screen in early 2008. Some of the world’s most talented actors join them in what is sure to become a classic rendition of this macabre story.


Dream Works Pictures collaborate with Warner Brothers Pictures to bring us “Sweeney Todd” executive produced by Patrick McCormick and produced by Richard D. Zanuck, Walter F. Parkes, Laurie MacDonald, and John Logan. Based on the book by Hugh Wheeler and originally brought to the stage by Harold Prince, this marvelous production evolves from the musical version from Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler. John Logan wrote the screenplay that Tim Burton directed. In addition to Depp, the cast also includes the splendid Helen Bonham Carter, sinister Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jayne Wisener, and the ever zany Sacha Baron Cohen. The film is not yet rated. For a complete list of cast, crew, and those behind the scenes please visit http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/. It’s due for wide release in January 2008, with limited runs in the US beginning in December 2007.


“Sweeney Todd” Plot


To give you a clue about “Sweeney Todd”, some productions used the title “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”. It seems Benjamin Barker, wrongly imprisoned in Victorian England for a crime he didn’t commit, wants revenge. Barker (lusciously played by Depp) becomes Sweeney Todd and opens a Fleet Street barber shop. While he was in jail his wife and child experienced violence at the hand of the horrific judge (Alan Rickman), adding fuel to Barker’s fire. He gives his clients such complete shaves that once they enter the shop, they are never seen again; at least in the same shape they went in. Thanks to Sweeney Todd’s accomplice, the evilly scary Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter) they end up in meat pies. Joining this perfectly cast lineup are Timothy Spall as the judge’s cohort, and Sacha Baron Cohen as Barker’s tonsorial competition. In the frequent style of Burton-Depp collaboration, “Sweeney Todd” is both eerie and fun.


Tim Burton and Johnny Depp


Fans of “Edward Scissorhands”, “Ed Wood”, “Sleepy Hollow”, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”, and “Corpse Bride” will walk not run to “Sweeney Todd”. For those new to the partnership, you’re in for a tasty surprise as these two brilliant and unorthodox unite once again to bring us some terrific entertainment.