Sweeney Todd - DVD or Film

[puppetman2]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 2:13pm

I've just watched both the DVD and film of SWEENEY TODD. I really dislike the film and don't feel that the vocals from non singers aid the score at all. Also I don't like using a young boy for Toby.
I find the DVD with Angela Lansbury really gives everything that the score and story need. The cast on the DVD is far superior to the film. The scene with Sweeney recognizing his wife is 100 times more effective than the film.
For me, Sweeney is a stage work and is not as effective on film.

[BkCollector]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 2:16pm

I feel exactly the opposite. I think Helena Bonham Carter captures that dark not-quite-musical singing that was made so famous by Lotte Lenya. Every stage production of the show I've seen has been too big and too silly to be scary.

This film was perfect, in my opinion.

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 2:20pm

The stage perfect is brilliant. The film is brilliant.

They both fit their respective medium perfectly.

The stage version would not work on film. The film version would not work on stage. At least not as well.

[Jonny boy]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 2:21pm

I would like to see the DVD version cause I didnt like the movie at all!

[Roscoe]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 2:22pm

I disagree. Tim Burton's film of SWEENEY TODD is probably the single finest live action musical in the decades since WEST SIDE STORY. The casting is excellent if unconventional, the production is flawless, all in all a masterwork.

The TV version doesn't really work for me at all. I've never liked Hearn's take on the role, and Angela Lansbury pretty much mugs her way through the show. It is at least competently shot and presented on video.

Updated On: 4/2/08 at 02:22 PM

[Not Barker, Todd.]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 2:37pm

I have never been a huge fan of the DVD. I look foward to watching the movie at home over and over again.

[elphabelle07]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 2:39pm

I thought Helena Bonham Carter's Lovett was heartbreaking. I loved it. And I loved making Toby a little boy. I think it makes him more pure and when he looses it at the end, it just makes it more tragic.

Love it, want it, don't have money to get it hahaha

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 3:16pm

Just watched the DVD last night as well (saw the film 3 times in theaters). I loved it just as much as before. I also again marveled at HBC's amazing performance. Now I will be the first to say that her singing could have been a little better. But I can't imagine that the part could have been acted any better by anyone. It was a performance that will be remembered for a long time.

Now that I've seen this movie 4 times, I'm going to put it away for awhile. I know that I'll enjoy revisiting it again in 2 years or so. I'm sure that I will be just as amazed as the first time I saw it. Truly a remarkable piece.

[BrodyFosse123]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 3:21pm

They made a film-version of SWEENEY TODD? Is this the same one with Joanna Lumley as Mrs. Lovett? Was this only shown on cable or was it theatrically released? Who played Sweeney? I remember Russell Crowe was in consideration.

Confused here.

[jpbran]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 3:38pm

Put me in the "LOVED both" category. Always an incredibly strong piece, both on video and in all the productions I've seen, but the Burton movie is certainly another amazing piece of the Sondheim/Todd canon.

[clever name]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 4:09pm

Loved the DVD, loved the movie, and the revival was the best Broadway show I have ever seen. Can I like them all? I WONT CHOOSE!!!

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 4:11pm

I enjoy the DVD (other than Hearn's gratingly overacted performance), but I loved the film.

[wickedfan]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 5:08pm

I really dislike the stage production DVD. I'm in the minority of people who hates Hearn's performance, I think that Lansbury overacts far too much in it, and Betsy Joslyn is one of the worst Johannas I've ever seen, by far the worst ever captured on film.

I think that Sweeney Todd is a masterpiece of a musical, just that DVD is a real poor presentation of it.

I think that the film is brilliant, though. As close to a perfect adaptation of the musical that we're ever going to get.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 5:11pm

Brody, the film came out last xmas. Adam Sandler was Sweeney and Ashton Kutcher was Toby.

How did you miss this?

[BobbyBubby]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 5:15pm

Actually, Toby is the exact age in the film he's supposed to be.

The stage version has always been "Actors putting on a show", hence an older Toby. Burton's choice, as is most of the film, is there because the text calls for a younger Toby if you're going for realism.

Here's the think that bothers me about the "the film is nothing like the stage version" argument. Who cares! It's a film. There are two superb Sweeney stage productions on DVD; the original tour of Prince's staging and the concert. And we have 3 major recordings.

Wanting the film to hold on to every not and idea from the stage production is silly. A direct to film translation of Sondheim's original work would be foolish. Burton's work is original, truthful, and brilliant.

You think you could have made a better film?

[toddbarker]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 5:30pm

Love both.

The stage DVD is excellent but I really could not have asked for a better film. OK so HBC's singing is not the finest ever heard but her overall performance is just outstanding imo. The look in her eyes during "Nothings Gonna Harm You" when she realises that Toby knows too much is worth the price of admission alone.

[alsal]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 6:18pm

I absolutely love the film. I think people have to remember that it isn't suppose or trying to be like the stage production. Sodheim said it best. "The movie isn't the stage show on screen, it a film based on the stage show."

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 6:49pm

I wasn't crazy about the film but want to give it another chance as Sweeney is my favorite musical.

[James885]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 7:19pm

I like 'em both. The DVD of the stage show is great and so is the film. Both are absolutly brilliant in their own respect. Burton and Sondheim repeatedly warned that Sweeney Todd purists would likely be disapointed if they came in expecting to see the stage show on film.

[Kasie]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 8:30pm

I just watched the movie last night and like the voices in the Original Cast Recording a lot better, but the DVD has Johnny Depp in it, so all is redeemed.
Updated On: 4/2/08 at 08:30 PM

[B3TA07]

Posted: 4/2/08 at 8:38pm

"Actually, Toby is the exact age in the film he's supposed to be. "

Thank you.