Wordiezett So much average

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

CommentsXp Best movie ever!

Rio Hayward All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

TheLittleSongbird I don't think I can add to the praise given to this wonderful production. The musical itself is a masterpiece in its own right, and I honestly loved this production. I loved the darkness and bleakness of the sets, and that while the costumes are nothing fancy they are effective and nice to look at. The score is utterly magnificent, the music is completely memorable and the lyrics are something that I love to quote, the opening chorus, the epiphany, Green Finch and Linnet Bird and the ending stand out especially. The dialogue is darkly humorous, the story is suitably macabre and entertaining and even the make up is good.The performances, both acting and singing were superb. The only person I had a problem with was Betsy Joslyn's Johanna, I just found her singing shrill at times and there were a few moments in Green Finch and Linnet Bird where she was pitchy. Joslyn aside, George Hearn is superlative as Sweeney, funny, chilling and handsome, and what a voice. His Sweeney is by far my favourite Sweeney ever, and the great Angela Lansbury matches him perfectly as Nellie Lovett. Cris Groenendaal was a charming Anthony, and Edmund Lyndeck stands out in a considerable way as Judge Turpin. Even the chorus were great. Overall, if you love Sweeney Todd, this is a must see. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

preston_carter I can't get over the quality of the score, the book, and the performances. This is the first production I've ever seen of Sweeney Todd so I have no others to compare it to. But the impact is so strong, I just can't imagine anything better.First, there's the music -- take "Johanna" (Act II), during which Sweeney, Anthony and Johanna sing an interwoven vocal line incorporating the melodies from three songs. It's like a Bach chorale in that sense -- just a masterpiece of composition. And the underlying chord structure and voicings are so perfect -- a little bit of melancholy, a little bit of contentment, a little bit of yearning, all expressing these three singers' points of view.Then -- the lyrics. The rhymes are so clever. The rhyme schemes sometimes seem random but they always add up at the end. (The DVD, which I watched, has Closed Captions, and these are indispensable for appreciating the dialog and the lyrics.) Sondheim deserves a literary award for his poetry alone.Finally, the performances. I can't imagine anyone better than George Hearn. Why haven't I heard of him before? His singing, alone, is masterful, but the range of his acting is simply amazing. Angela Lansbury totally surprised me. The song about "you and me down by the seaside" -- who could do it any better? Her timing is flawless, pitch is perfect, every beat of the score is accounted for; and overlaying this achievement in musicianship is her utterly delightful comic delivery.It's a dark tale but I found it to be sweet at times; and the tune to "Johanna" continues to play in my head.

Stephen Alfieri "Sweeney Todd" is in my opinion one of a few "perfect" musicals. Like "My Fair Lady" and "West Side Story" it has a wonderful, intelligent score. It offers the two leads and several supporting characters interesting roles. It has a timeless theme, revenge. It has a good deal of humor, and is just as powerful when presented simply or on a grand scale."Sweeney Todd" tells the story of a simply wronged man during the industrial period in England. It shows mans' inhumanity to man, how in Sweeney's own words, "There are two kinds of men. There's the one staying put in his proper place and the one with his foot in the other one's face." In an effort to correct the wrong that was done to him, Mr. Todd devices a plan to seek revenge. With the help of Mrs. Lovett, who owns a meat pie shop under Mr.Todd's barbershop, they set out to have "those above, serve those down below".I was fortunate enough to have seen the original Broadway version eight times (six with Cariou and Lansbury, the other two with Hearn and Loudon). I saw the revival with Bob Gunton and Beth Fowler, and several other concert versions.While the technical aspects in this production are lacking, to say the least, I believe that this filmed production version is the best. Lansbury and Hearn were the two best in these roles, and they have a wonderful time playing off of each other.Very good supporting work by Ken Jennings and Edmund Lyndeck. Although Betsy Joslyn and Cris Groenendaal, as the young lovers have absolutely no chemistry, and are basically unwatchable.9 out of 10

leadies I have owned a copy fo this for ages now, on video, but will definitely be buying the DVD release.Angela Lansbury and George Hearne are the unmistakable people to perform these legendary roles.This is suberb theatre at its peak, what a cast, the entire crew, the staging and the lighting are fantastic, as well as the ensemble who provide the extras in this macabe piece of theater.The new work with Patti LuPone and George Hearn is nothing in comparison, except for the lush surround sound provided by todays technology.A must see for any die hard Stephen Sondheim fanatics like me.