Skip to main content
My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
#1

sweeney movie WOW!

Just seen Sweeney Todd. First impressions. Despite the cut songs,
the film is truly magnificent. It's much darker than the stage version. With most of the humour toned down. But works really well. And it's very gory.
#2

re: sweeney movie WOW!

I thought Burton said he wasn't showing the final cut until the 29th?

Glad you liked it.
"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
#3

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Tom,

I thought it was ready on the 21st, so looking forward to seeing this. We have a screening here on the 8th.

Well I didn't want to get into it, but he's a Satanist. Every full moon he sacrifices 4 puppies to the Dark Lord and smears their blood on his paino. This should help you understand the score for Wicked a little bit more. Tazber's: Reply to Is Stephen Schwartz a Practicing Christian
#4

re: sweeney movie WOW!

"with most of the humor toned down"

How about "A Little Priest"? That wasn't toned down, was it?
#5

re: sweeney movie WOW!

I should have clarified: NOV 29th. He may have finished earlier, but I haven't heard yet.

December 21st is the opening with screenings starting early in Dec.
"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
#6

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Yes, it's been edited
#7

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Yes, but was it the final cut? Last week he said he was still editing.
"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
#8

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Yes! It was a Press screening.
#9

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Yay! He finished early! I hope to see it sometime in the next 2 weeks.
"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
#10

re: sweeney movie WOW!

well the pictures look amazing and the few audio bootlegs that leaked onto youtube of depp singing epiphany, johanna and my friends are brilliant. I love the interpretation of the role and am super excited for this movie! Im seeing it twice opening day!
<------ Me and my friends with patti Lupone at my friends afterparty for her concert with audra mcdonald during the summer of 2007.
"I am sorry but it is an unjust world and virtue is only triumphant in theatricle performances" The Mikado
#11

re: sweeney movie WOW!

U.S. Press screenings are supposed to start on the 29th. Are you in the UK by any chance?

Updated On: 11/26/07 at 02:00 PM

#12

re: sweeney movie WOW!

I'm glad Burton cut a lot of Sweeney Todd, as most of it doesn't work on film.

The Ballad: It's all exposition. And the smaller parts are used for scene changes. Cut!

A Little Priest: Most of it works because of the audience reaction.

Elixir & God, That's Good!: From reading the screenplay, it seems that Burton only wanted the main characters singing, so the ensemble parts are cut a bit. It's fine with me.

Green Finch: I think it's been trimmed down some. Which is fine, as I never got the song anyway.

I don't like what the screenwriter did with the ending. I think opening it with "No Place Like London" works. At least it works on paper. I don't mind the small line changes, either.
"Writing is like prostitution. First, you do it for love, then you do it for a few friends, and finally you do it for money." ~ Moliere
#13

re: sweeney movie WOW!

I'm just afraid that since I'm looking foward to the movie, it will suck. I dunno, but every movie that I look foward to sucks. I think it's some sort of a jinx.


In spite of the jinx, I must say that I'm excited for the film.
#14

re: sweeney movie WOW!

They actually cut The Ballad of Sweeney Todd?
Gypsy - Betty Buckley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUN5XoB5vFs&feature=youtu.be
#15

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Those doing comparisons -- are you basing your comments on the fullscale original 1979 Hal Prince Broadway production or the recent minimalistic John Doyle Broadway revival?

Seems alot of people think that John Doyle's staging is a recreation of the original staging. Same with how people thought the concert-style Broadway revival of CHICAGO was a recreation of Bob Fosse's original fullscale 1975 Broadway production (Bob Fosse's original had sets and costumes).





#16

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Seems alot of people think that John Doyle's staging is a recreation of the original staging.

Why would anybody think that? Were they asleep when they saw it?
A work of art is an invitation to love.
#17

re: sweeney movie WOW!

So wait a minute, can someone please clear this up? Did they REALLY cut The Ballad of Sweeney Todd?
Gypsy - Betty Buckley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUN5XoB5vFs&feature=youtu.be
#18

re: sweeney movie WOW!

It's not on the soundtrack, so yes, it seems that they REALLY cut it. Of course they did. I mean, please explain to me how that would work on film without even a hint of being ridiculous.
A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 11/26/07 at 02:48 PM

#19

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Yes its cut. The original script had a scenario in which the ballad was sung by a trio of "ghosts" of victims you later saw murdered by Sweeney in his shop. Burton decided, after casting the trio, that it wouldn't work and so he scrapped the idea and the song.

I like the ballad, but it existed largely for transition purposes on stage, which isn't necessary for film.
#20

re: sweeney movie WOW!

It doesn't have to exist on a visual level to work.

Also, my I throw out there, that I find it ridiculous that so many people are not able to answer questions on this board without being jack asses to the person asking the question.
Gypsy - Betty Buckley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUN5XoB5vFs&feature=youtu.be
#21

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Yeah, exactly; on film it'd be totally superfluous. It's one of my favorite parts of the score, but it'd be hard to make it appear organic on film.
A work of art is an invitation to love.
#22

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Someone who's seen the film in full can answer this, but I think I read somewhere that it IS in there instrumentally; it's just not actually a sung number.

And I was not being a jack-ass to you; I said that the song would come across as ridiculous on film. I didn't call you stupid for wanting it to be there. That would have been being a jack-ass. A differing opinion is not inherently something personal.
A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 11/26/07 at 02:55 PM

#23

re: sweeney movie WOW!

Good thing.
Gypsy - Betty Buckley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUN5XoB5vFs&feature=youtu.be
#24

re: sweeney movie WOW!

It is there instrumentally, as is the organ prelude including the whistle blast. It plays over the opening credit which is similar in feel to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's opening, except it's done with blood running through drainpipes and the gears of the chair instead of chocolate.
Art has a double face, of expression and illusion.
#25

re: sweeney movie WOW!

...except it's done with blood running through drainpipes and the gears of the chair instead of chocolate.

That's f**kin' awesome!

BroadwayWorld TV


Ticket Central
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $71
Hot Show
Tickets From $95