1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
#11980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/10/08 at 10:54am
This is a GREAT documentary on the mounting of the original London Production of Sweeney Todd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WyVSaXbPYY&feature=related
I remember "pre-internet" days having to go to the Museum of Broadcasting to see this... and now kiddies.. you can watch it a home in your pajamas! I love technology!
Enjoy!
What great ones do the less will prattle of
#2re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/10/08 at 11:30am
Wow. Thanks so much for posting this, BFB! I can't wait to watch the whole thing.
I just took a "gander" at the beginning, and damn, when that chorus came in on the Ballad, I have NO QUALMS in saying what a mistake it was to cut that from the film.
It raises the proceedings to near Biblical proportions, instead of being a small story about some guy who kills people.
Wow, I'm almost ANGRY at Burton now.
I will try to enjoy this without thinking about the film's flaws, which are growing on me unfortunately, not diminishing.
"Jaws is the Citizen Kane of movies."
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TheatreDiva90016
Broadway Legend Joined: 4/10/04
#2re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/10/08 at 1:52pm
Wow! Thanks so much for the links!
It bothered me in the first episode that they were showing all of that stuff right before rehearsal, but the second they started singing, the announcers voice comes in and covers them up. He could have done that in all of the "pre-rehearsal" shots.
But I love it!
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#3re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/10/08 at 3:32pmDid anyone else notice that Hugh Wheeler didn't get a credit at the beggining???
PLEASE! Do not post anything negative or dramatic! DidYouReallyHearMe has LOST the ability to ignore such posts and he will comment! Please, help him.
With Clay Aiken in Spamalot, all of Broadway is singing a collective "There! Right! There!" -Me-
"Not Barker, Todd is the only person I've ever known who could imitate Katherine Hepburn...in print." -nmartin-
With Clay Aiken in Spamalot, all of Broadway is singing a collective "There! Right! There!" -Me-
"Not Barker, Todd is the only person I've ever known who could imitate Katherine Hepburn...in print." -nmartin-
#5re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/10/08 at 8:24pm
I remember watching this at SS's house right after it aired. I'll always remember Hal giving the "more is more" speech...
Too bad the London production was a huge flop!
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#6re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/10/08 at 8:44pmI'm in heaven!
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
#7re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/10/08 at 9:04pm
Best12, if you watch part 3, even Steve says he hates those "peasant on the green" numbers; where everyone in the chorus has to sing the same thing.
Steve and Tim both hate choral numbers that don't have different points of view being sung at the same time.
Tim made his decision that there would be no choral singing in the film. Considering that, he still was faithful to the intent of the original piece.
heheh. love you, ya know... 
"It's not so much do what you like, as it is that you like what you do." SS
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana." GMarx
#8re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/11/08 at 8:40am
VERY COOL!!! Thank you for posting
"TO LOVE ANOTHER PERSON IS TO SEE THE FACE OF GOD"- LES MISERABLES---
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#9re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:36pmBump
What great ones do the less will prattle of
touchmeinthemorning
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/3/04
#10re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:41pmThe problem with the film is what Hal mentions early on -- that the story is ultimately about class struggle, etc. It has a larger social context that the stage show gets, but the film ignores.
"Fundamentalism means never having to say 'I'm wrong.'"
-- unknown
#11re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/11/08 at 4:42pmI didn't know you need to be wearing pajamas to look at the Internet.
wickedrentq
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/6/04
#12re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/11/08 at 8:59pm
Ha, I did watch this at the Museum of TV and Radio.
Great documentary though, I learned a lot. Highly recommend it. Provided some pieces of info I used in my "analyzing Sweeney" thread.
"If there was a Mount Rushmore for Broadway scores, "West Side Story" would be front and center. It snaps, it crackles it pops! It surges with a roar, its energy and sheer life undiminished by the years" - NYPost reviewer Elisabeth Vincentelli
#13re: 1980 Sweeney Todd Documentary
Posted: 1/12/08 at 11:33amJust finished watching it this morning. It is so great watching/listening to Sondheim describing every intricate part of his music. If I am not mistaken, the clips seen of him describing the music for Sweeney in Broadway: The American Musical were taken from this documentary. I also found it interesting that the actor playing Pirelli was upset that there were going to be changes to the part in London and how he said he saw it in the states and that is the part he auditioned for. It was also nice to see a bit of Hal Prince in action. I would love to get my hands on a good copy of this. Thanks for posting it Blonde. It made my Saturday morning!
Just give the world Love. - S. Wonder
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