Extreme Disappointment: Sweeney DVD

My first reaction was excitment. Then I saw the weird camera angles the bad acting and Betsy Josyln. What the hell? I haven't watched the whole thing yet, but all i can say is, this version probaby would have turned me off to this show if it had been the first time i'd watched it. I'm in love with the original soundtrack and I assumed that it would be the original cast when I bought the DVD. I'm also assuming that the original wasn't recorded and right now I'm ondering why...just thought I'd get that off my chest.

"the bad acting and Betsy Josyln. What the hell?"

Please keep in mind the roles of both Anthony and Johanna were written as comedic roles. They are not to be taken seriously. I think Betty Joslyn does an excellent job camping it up (especially the now famous cross eyed looks)

As far the overall acting. You must be watching a DVD I have not seen. To say, or imply that Angela Lansbury, George Hearn and Edmund Lyndeck are bad actors is just plain silly.

First off, it's the Original Cast Recording not a soundtrack (the soundtrack will come within the next coupla' years from Tim Burton and Johnny Depp).

Secondly, Len Cariou lost his voice playing Sweeney Todd for so long during the original Broadwya run and therefore wouldn't have been able to do the video which was done a few years later during the national tour.

Lastly, take into consideration that the actors were giving STAGE performances for a national tour (larger theaters) and therefor not intended for close-up. The producers filmed rehearsals of Angela and George to let them tone down their performance a bit for the cameras, but didn't offer the same to the rest of the cast. Keep this in mind and hopefully you'll be able to appreciate the video a little more.

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It's also from over 20 years ago--so the technology isn't that great--this was in the early days of VCR and Beta, god help us. But it's a pretty good record, all in all.

"Hearn and Lansbury's performances are enough of a reason to have this DVD. They are both fabulous."

Hearns Sweeney is a little too angry for me, but to say he is not a good actor is crazy. I hope she was just referring to Johanna and Anthony.

"but why do people care if people call it an "original soundtrack" if you know they mean cast recording? "

Haha. I was thinking the same thing.

While it may be true that Anthony and Johanna could be played for camp, Betsy Joslyn's performance in this turned me off her for years. It wasn't until I saw her understuding Mary Ann Plunket (whatever happened to her?) in "Sunday in the Park with George" that I saw just how talented she was.

Watching, what (Angela aside) is basically the Broadway replacement cast, makes me wish that I could have seen what her replacement Dorothy Loudon had done with the part.

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I first viewed the Patti LuPone/George Hearn DVD and didn't like it so much, I wanted to see it fully staged. Plus Angela Lansbury's portrayal is often talked about so I wanted to see it for myself, and this version with her and a younger George Hearn I liked very much. I have never seen Cris Groendenal(sp?) or Betsy Joslyn live so this was my chance to see them as well. I admit that Ms. Joslyn's singing was not always pleasing but I am a fan of her and her body of work, especially her later roles of Mrs. Potts and Mme. Thenardier. The only thing about her that creeped me out is the fact that she was married to George Hearn at the time of filming.

Also, sondheimboy2, Ken Jennings appears as Tobias from the original cast. You might not feel that it's a major role but he's the only character who survives, so I think that counts for something.

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I enjoyed the DVD. It generated interest in the show for me.

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I enjoyed Lansbury’s and Hearn’s performance, I thought they were good, but Hearn seemed a little awkward at times and that bothered me. I was primarily disappointed with Johanna and at the way the entire ensemble sounded in the first ballad of Sweeney Todd, with the exception on the guy who introduces it. He is amazing. Sorry to say, I like Angela’s voice muuuuch better on the Original Cast Recording (not soundtrack, haha) then in the DVD. Since Patti Lupone was my first Lovett, I prefer her performance in the revival, but that doesn't stop me from enjoying Angela's performance.

I strongly disagree that Johanna and Anthony’s role where meant to be comedic. The song "Green Finch and Linnet Bird" is a flawless and beautiful song and I wasn’t aware that someone could mess it up so much by being “campy”. No one really seems to be laughing when she does anything that is supposedly funny. Maybe in her world… I just watched her performance over again and had a strong urdge to slap her in the face. What on earth is wrong with her? I think if the roles are played comically, it sort of ruins their whole bit. Not to mention Betsy’s dynamics seemed to be all over the place.

I didn’t really say anything about the quality of the sound before did I? Well, aside form it having weird amera angles at the beginning. I actually kind of enjoy the old sound style. I’m just confused as to why they didn’t record it before all the good cast member’s left. Sarah Rice’s voice is just so beautiful and clear, naturally, I wanted to see her in action. Johanna is my favorite part and if the Johanna isn’t good, I just can’t enjoy most of the show.

I didn’t really like the concert DVD that much either but it did grow on me and I definately liked the Johanna better. The ensemble is especially weird… and old. Most were much too old for their part.

You know what else is funny? I saw Sweeney Todd and Murrow High School last fall, and it is almost an exact replica of the original, the costumes, the actions, they even had that stairs that roll across the stage. You think they woulda changed thing up a bit.

Johanna and Anthony are NOT comedic! They are merely a light spot in a dark production. I guess that maybe one could make it into a comedic part, but they would be severely harming the show.

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I didn't think Betsy's portrayal was campy; it was more realistic. C'mon, she was raised by Judge Turpin, it makes sense for the girl to be a little unhinged and neurotic.

As for the guy who played Anthony, I thought he sang better than Victor Garber. Though he wasn't as endearing to me...

Still, fantastic DVD! I still need to buy it. :/

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I saw the original Broadway production, the Circle In The Square production, the concert DVD and the present Broadway revival and there can be no excuse, IMO, for what Betsy Joslyn and Cris Groenendaal did with the roles of Joanna and Anthony. They were both a distraction in what I thought was a pretty good recording.

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