Wordiezett So much average

Claysaba Excellent, Without a doubt!!

Bereamic Awesome Movie

Glucedee It's hard to see any effort in the film. There's no comedy to speak of, no real drama and, worst of all.

the_only_warrior I would give this a 10 if it was a fully produced film. Why wasn't this made instead of the Tim Burton one?For those of you who don't know - Sweeney Todd is a man falsely imprisoned (transported to Australia) by a judge who covets Sweeney's wife. When Sweeney finally escapes and returns after many years, he discovers his wife is dead and that the judge is indirectly responsible. Enraged, he plots to cold-bloodedly kill the judge - who, like everyone else, fails to recognize who he is after his long stint in prison. There is a LOT more to the plot, but technically any more would be a spoiler.Wonderful cast of great actors and great singers! George Hearn is a revelation, not only can he bring great subtlety to the music, but he embodied the complicated role so well, made it so believable and understandable, you can't imagine another actor doing it better. Patti Lapone was funny and sexy as Mrs Lovett and brought out a really sweet side to Mrs Lovett as well as the overt nastiness. Timothy Nolan was really creepy as the judge and what a voice! Stanford Olsen was a perfect fit for the role and stole the show with his amazing high notes and Neil Patrick Harris had wonderful energy as Tobias. If I was being picky, Davis Gaines (as a 47 year old playing young Anthony Hope) looked too old on screen, but I guess this is a concert version. Even the small parts are fabulous. Chorus and Orchestra spot on. One reviewer mentioned the camera work being too choppy - but personally, apart from the lack of sets, props, and the fact you can hear the audience when they react, it feels (and sounds) like a film. I think this is a big plus!I didn't know anything about Sweeney Todd and actually caught part of this for the first time at a house party. Ten minutes of watching that made me search for the DVD to buy. It's riveting!Throw away the Tim Burton and trade gloss for substance.

Low Man I just recently saw the Tim Burton version of this, and I added some comments on that too. After watching the film, I came home and watched this version, and it throws the deficiencies of the Burton film into sharp relief. The Burton film looks better, but that's about it. If you really want more on what I thought about it, look under the comments in that film.First off this is a live concert performance. That means sets, costume, props, stage machinery, etc. are minimal. The performance happens around and even among the orchestra on a concert stage. That is the only flaw, for lack of a better term, in this production. If you've got a good imagination, it's insignificant.Second, the San Francisco Symphony is one of the best kept secrets in this country. They are great. I have several recordings of their work, and I have always been extremely happy with them. When you think of great American orchestras, the usual cities are New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, and Los Angeles. San Francisco belongs in that group. Their playing of this score, which was, of course, originally set up for a pit orchestra less than half the size of the forces used in this production, is as near perfect as anyone can reasonably hope for. It also really emphasizes the operatic feel that I always felt this musical has.George Hearn is the best Sweeney Todd I've ever seen. That comes from an old pit orchestra hand that has been through more than a few performances. Apparently the original choice for this production was Bryn Terfel, a Welsh bass-baritone opera singer. Apparently he got ill and had to be replaced. It would have been very interesting to see that. Maybe he'd have been a new favorite, but Hearn is still great. Patti LuPone is also a fine Mrs. Lovett and is able to keep Hearn's anguished Todd from overwhelming everything. Timothy Nolen makes a disturbingly lustful Judge Turpin, and I was glad to see the scene of his self mortifying struggle with his feelings for Johanna included in this production. It is often cut, but it provides a not exactly sympathetic, but at least clearer, view of Turpin's character. Neil Patrick Harris is also an excellent Tobias Ragg. He even has a good voice. Who woulda' thought it? Pirelli, Anthony Hope, Beadle Bamford, Johanna...all are well cast, well played, and well sung.In short, it's hard to believe how well everything was done. If you've come away from the Burton film with a less than happy feeling, please check this out before you abandon the musical entirely. It represents Sondheim's best work, and is well worth seeing.

debaroos I love Sweeney Todd, but I did not love this concert version. I did not care for Patti LuPone and I really abhorred the way it was taped. During the Judge's Song (Johanna), the camera kept panning back and forth from Johanna to the Judge. Towards the middle of the song, there were brief and idiotic shots of Johanna's chest, hands, and face that were timed with crescendi in the music. Cornball! It took away a lot from Timothy Nolen's wonderful performance because the viewer becomes too aware of the camera. The director is saying: "Look at how the camera moves! Aren't I ever so clever?" Aside from that, I did enjoy the extras on the DVD: a short documentary on the genesis and making of the concert versions of Sweeney Todd, plus interviews with Sondheim, George Hearn, Timothy Nolen, Victoria Clarke, Lisa Vroman, Neil Patrick Harris, Patti LuPone (blech) and unfortunately, the execrable Lonny Price (good stage direction; bad TV direction). If you love Sweeney Todd, you'll want to see this no matter how badly the camera is directed.

Neil Thorson I was fortunate to get really lousy seats for the Saturday evening taping in SF. I was also at the earlier taping in LA with Angela Lansbury & Hearn. Both productions were exceptional and both for different reasons. If you are a Sondheim fan either of these productions will thrill you. If you are just a Sondheim beginner start with "A Little Night Music" or "Into the Woods" as the music in this show is close to impossible to "sing-along" with