Release Date: April 1st, 2008
Running Time: 116 minutes

The Film

While I had always enjoyed the musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, I had no real hopes about it as a film, even with Tim Burton helming. After watching the film I was simply blown away and convinced that it should have been nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Tim Burton has put together a film that is pitch-perfect in every aspect. It oozes style and creates a world so fully realized that you cannot help but be sucked into the dark world of Sweeney Todd.

Originally a 1979 musical by Stephen Sondheim, Sweeney Todd is a pointed tale of revenge mixed with a dry humor and unconventional, complex score. Rarely would you see people singing on stage about murder and cannibalism, but so unique was Sondheim’s vision that the production ultimately became a great success. But how could you translate that same vision onto film and preserve the tone? Enter Tim Burton.

The film stars Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd, a barber formerly known as Benjamin Barker who was sent to prison in Siberia by the jealous Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) that had an eye on Barker’s wife. Barker returns to London fifteen years later, now Sweeney Todd, a soulless man with only one thing on his mind: revenge. He moves back into his old barber shop above the disgusting pie shop of Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bonham Carter). Infatuated with Todd, Mrs. Lovett recounts the tale of how Turpin raped Barker’s wife and stole their daughter to raise as his ward which resulted in Barker’s wife poisoning herself. Fueling his rage, she presents him with his old razor blades. In one of the most powerful moments of the film, at the height of his fury, Todd looks out the window and proclaims “At last, my arm is complete!”

Revenge would be juicy enough, but that’s not all. A man named Anthony (Jamie Campbell Bower) who provided Todd transport London notices Todd’s daughter Johanna outside of Judge Turpin’s window and is instantly in love. Despite a beating and death threats, Anthony will stop at nothing to free Johanna from her prison.

Todd is presented with an opportunity early on to take care of Turpin and end his torment. When the situation doesn’t work out, he is incensed. Something in Todd snaps that sends he and Mrs. Lovett on a downward spiral of murder and meat pies. The plot is so outlandish, so horrific that it has to be seen to be believed.

Tim Burton does everything right with the material. His portrayal of London is dank, dreary, and depressing. The violence is treated with a very accurate rage and is not for the faint of heart. Blood spurts in Kill Bill-style fountains out of every slit throat. The acting is top-notch as well. Sweeney Todd literally arrives on a ship, just like Jack Sparrow’s introduction in Pirates of the Caribbean, yet you don’t see Jack at all. Depp has crafted someone new, someone far more violent and dangerous.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a complete film experience. The whole thing is deliciously dramatic and true to the twisted tone of the material.

The DVD

The video is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen. The extremely drab and dark film features little color but the level of detail is very high throughout, despite the almost monochromatic look. The print is clean as well. I have read that there are some problems with ghosting and edge enhancement, but I found these to be minimal considering it is not a high-definition transfer.

The audio is offered in English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound with English/French/Spanish subtitles. The entire soundstage is utilized well, reserving the center channel for dialogue/singing while the score bombards you from the other channels. I found the mix to be well balanced. The only time I had trouble understanding the words were in some of Helena Bonham Carter’s songs, but that is likely due to her singing at such a high pitch.

The Extras

The 2-disc set has a slew of fantastic special features.

“Burton + Depp + Carter = Todd” is a decent featurette comprised of interviews and behind-the-scenes footage. The interviews are more in-depth than the standard EPK fare and the footage complements their points well. It’s not a complete production documentary, but a good watch nonetheless.

“The Making of Sweeney Todd,” however, is a generic press featurette and not worth watching if you have already seen the featurette mentioned above.

“Sweeney Todd is Alive – The Real History of the Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is a historical examination of incidents and people who may have influenced the story.

“Sweeney Todd Press Conference” is an entertaining, 20-minute Q &A session with Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, and Richard Zanuck.

“Musical Mayhem – Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd” is an interview with Sondheim discussing the genesis of his famed musical as well as his participation in the film.

“Sweeney’s London” is a short piece that examines the era of London in the film from a historical and sociological perspective.

“Designs For A Demon Barber” is a featurette focusing on the masterful production and costume design.

“Grand Guignol – A Theatrical Tradition” is another historical featurette that discusses the Grand Guignol theatre and how the term now refers to a style of horror entertainment.

“A Bloody Business” is a behind-the-scenes piece on the gore effects.

“Moviefone Unscripted with Tim Burton and Johnny Depp” has the pair answering questions from Moviefone customers.

“The Razor’s Refrain” is a montage of pictures set to music from the film.

Also offered are a Photo Gallery and the Trailer.

Final Thoughts

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is a brutal, brilliantly realized film that may well be the best work of Burton and Depp to date. A true must-see, as long as you can handle the grisly subject matter.