The trailer for Tim Burton’s big screen musical thriller adaptation Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street hits theaters this weekend (supposedly attached to The Heartbreak Kid), but why buy a ticket when you can see it online for free right now.
I’ve never been a big fan of musicals, but I’ve been following Sweeney Todd with much interest. And it looks like Tim Burton has made something special. The musical sequence shown in the trailer with Johnny Depp in the streets is unlike anything I have ever seen before. What do you guys think?
Check out the trailer after the jump.
You can also watch the new trailer in High Definition on Yahoo! Movies.
Official Plot Synopsis: JOHNNY DEPP and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s award-winning musical thriller “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” DEPP stars in the title role as a man unjustly sent to prison who vows revenge, not only for that cruel punishment, but for the devastating consequences of what happened to his wife and daughter. When he returns to reopen his barber shop, Sweeney Todd becomes the Demon Barber of Fleet Street who “shaved the faces of gentlemen who never thereafter were heard of again.” Joining Depp is HELENA BONHAM CARTER as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney’s amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies. The cast also includes ALAN RICKMAN, who portrays the evil Judge Turpin, who sends Sweeney to prison, TIMOTHY SPALL as the Judge’s wicked associate Beadle Bamford and SACHA BARON COHEN as a rival barber, the flamboyant Signor Adolfo Pirelli.
The film stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jayne Wisener and Sacha Baron Cohen. Sweeney Todd will hit theaters on December 21st 2007.
October 4th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
I’ve Been Waiting On This Trailer For A Long Time, And It’s Everything I Thought It Was Going To Be, BEAUTIFUL
October 4th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
The colour palette looks amazing. I’m not a fan of musicals, yet am a big fan of Depp and thrillers… this could be quite a good watch indeed.
October 4th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
YES! Finally a trailer. This film will be amazing. Can’t wait
October 4th, 2007 at 3:40 pm
Looks like ass. Sure, the cinematography and set design look fantastic - every Burton film nails these two aspects of moviemaking. But this looks like yet another over-the-top Depp performance coupled with glossy, superficial characterizations.
When was the last time we saw someone in a Burton film that even remotely resembled a human being??? And if you say “Big Fish,” can you name another one???
It’s getting old. NOTE TO BURTON: Time to grow the fuck up and start making movies and not picturebooks.
http://www.therecshow.com
October 4th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Ray-
How can you say that? This movies are like art? Did anyone tell Picasso to start drawing realistically? No. His movies arent supposed to be realistic. They are art. Tell the directors of Finding Nemo to make the fish behave more “fishlike.” Grow up yourself.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:19 pm
Ray, why would we go and see a movie that is realistic? We want art and Tim gives us that so go away NOW!
October 4th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
Jonathan-
His movies are like art? Like Picasso, you say?
Gimme a break. His films are generally beautiful to look at … but film requires more than a pretty tableau to be considered art. With a few exceptions, Burton’s films have failed in other areas like story development, character development, consistent tone, and poor editing. Most of them rely too heavily on theatrics to disguise their flaws.
Notable exception: Ed Wood. One of my favorite films, and not surprisingly the one that contains the least amount of overly-visual gimmicks.
Let’s look at the rest of Burton’s career:
Batman - hard to watch these days, and only fondly remembered for Nicholson’s goofy overacting as Joker.
Beetlejuice - Plot-free exercise in style over substance that’s saved by some terrific performances.
Batman Returns - Saved by Pfeiffer, but largely hated for good reasons.
Mars Attacks - atrocious on almost every level except for the fun aliens.
Sleepy Hollow - Visually terrific, but emotionally empty and horribly written and edited.
Planet of the Apes - Awful in almost every way. Worst ending in 30 years.
Big Fish - His only other close call. It’s alittle overly-sentimental, but I think Burton was going for Oscar this time.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - a convoluted mess. Terrible direction and editing in the final act. Worst performance by Depp.
I mean, seriously … what has Burton really done here?????
I personally believe that when Burton’s film career is over, many people will look at it and wonder what he might have been capable of had he pushed himself beyond the “eccentric weirdo” rut. I am certainly glad that Hitchcock or Spielberg - intense visual stylists as well - did not pidgeonhole themselves like Burton has done for twenty-odd years.
http://www.therecshow.com
October 4th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Eric - Keep repeating that to yourself and perhaps it will come true … dipshit.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:33 pm
Irrespective of Burtons shortcomings in the eyes of few, this movie is clearly eagerly anticipated by many people who do enjoy the eccentric nature of his films. I know i am one of them.
It’s not always the perfect nature of a film which makes it great to watch, sometimes it’s just the opposite. Personally i have enjoyed all of Burton’s movies for their fantastical nature and unnatural story lines.
Just because there are some who doubt Burton’s talents as a cinematographer doesn’t mean it’s not a great film in its own right. I’m still looking forward to seeing this.
October 4th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Paolo -
Let me clear up one thing. I love “unnatural storylines” as much as anybody - I want films to be more creative.
However, Burton’s films almost uniformly fail to make consistent sense, either in the script stage or in the editing stage.
By the way, I skipped “Edward Scissorhands” in my review of Burton’s career. It’s probably my second-favorite Burton film. It’s well constructed and plays to Burton’s strengths as a director … it also helps that he has a terrific cast at the top of their craft, and a perfect Elfman score to play with.
http://www.therecshow.com
October 5th, 2007 at 2:29 am
I used to think Burton was my favourite director above all others. I adore Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Nightmare Before Christmas… and I am truly looking forward to Sweeney Todd. Though if Depp’s going to ever receive an Oscar (so overdue!!!) I think it’ll be for his work on the forthcoming film of Hunter S. Thompson’s The Rum Diary. I certainly hope so anyway…
However, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is now my all time favourite movie - it’s got depth, absolutely stunningly made and a simply gorgeous take on relationships (Charlie Kaufmann-scrptwriter.) Fantastic performances by both Carey and Winslet. Michel Gondry is a genius - one to watch. Check out Science of Sleep too - another amazing film from this artistic talent. Everything done by camera, no tricks. First class.
October 5th, 2007 at 5:45 am
I was at first very hesitant when I heard that there was going to be a movie adaptation. This is a modern stage classic in my opinion. I’m proud to say that the trailer embodies the spirit of the stage version so completely, that I am shocked. The visual design is right in line with the stage version. For those who have not seen a production of this show, it looks to be a wonderful treat. Tim Burton’s visual style is perfect for this adaptation.
October 5th, 2007 at 8:28 am
Rick-
Personally, Tim Burton is my personal favorite director. Nightmare Before Christmas, Edward Scissorhands and Big Fish sit high on my list of favorite movies. Sure he has had his bad movies but every director does. I don’t consider my self a movie expert but I do consider myself a movie lover and his directing is something I think is truly amazing. I find his eccentricity and dark interpretations unique and something that separates him from the rest of the directors in Hollywood. Maybe his characters don’t “look like real people” but like Johnathon says this is art and is to be interpreted by the artist. If you are looking for real looking people go watch a reality TV show. As far as story development and movie development I feel that many, if not most of his movies, contain this. You have singled out all of his best movies one by one so I will pick one that you disliked - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Though I wasn’t the biggest fan of this movie I can’t see where you could think it had no character development. Unlike the earlier adaption of the movie (which I also like) Tim reveals the past and childhood of Willy Wonka to help explain his character…but hey that isn’t character development, right?
…And please Rick let’s not get tough over the internet, calling people dipshits in the commenting section is just plain childish
October 5th, 2007 at 8:32 am
Oh, and I think this movie looks great and will be another amazing performance from the duo who has brought us some great movies.
October 5th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Meant to send that comment to ‘Ray’ not ‘Rick’….wow what an idiot I am :-D
October 5th, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Siblog -
I only called Eric that because he childishly told me to go away simply for not agreeing with his opinion.
I don’t consider knowing the backstory of Wonka to be “character development” except in only the broadest sense. The entire thing was handled badly, from Depp’s performance to Burton’s direction and writing.
How exactly did I “single out all of his best movies?” I consider most of those films I mentioned to be either terrible, or poorly made but watchable thanks to non-Burton reasons like performances. I really only consider two Burton films to be complete successes as cinema - “Edward SCissorhands” and “Ed Wood.” The other - “Big Fish,” is close but still overdone. I enjoy “Beetlejuice” and “Pee Wee’s Big Adventure” for what they are, but they both have serious problems. The rest are nearly unwatchable.
http://www.therecshow.com
October 5th, 2007 at 5:03 pm
Tim… Johnny… Sasha… Snape dude… this has the ingredients of a masterpiece… the look of the movie is truly one-of-a-kind…
October 5th, 2007 at 9:43 pm
TO BRUNO:
“SNAPE DUDE”? ARE YOU KIDDING ME?
Alan Rickman is one of the most effing brilliant actors I’ve ever seen! Snape Dude? Are you insane?
*breathes heavily* …okay, had to get that out of my system. Sprry. Continuing now.
TO RAY:
I understand your point of view on this. Disagree with the general sentiment, but understand. I found “Nightmare Before Christmas” to be enjoyable and visually stunning, and loved the written music (if not the performance of said music). I adore “Edward Scissorhands” with every fiber of my being. I haven’t gotten around to seeing “Ed Wood” yet, but desperately want to. “Batman” was campy, but silly, especially with Jack as the Joker, and “Big Fish” was a nice, enjoyable piece of escape fiction that sadly thought it was something more.
Other than those movies, a lot of the work has been pretty pretentious and not at all up to the standard of what he is CAPABLE of. And he is indeed capable of it.
The only issue I find with Depp in this trailer is the accent - the character started off as a middle-class worker, relatively well-off. He would therefore have a more high-english accent, rather than the “Jack Sparrow” accent so many people associate with him now.
But overacting?
C’mon, man. This is Sweeny f–king Todd. The guy is insane. Literally insane. Obsessed with revenge, tortured by the idea of his wife having been raped and killed, and now tormented by the thought of his daughter being locked up with said rapist/killer. Overacting? Depp is playing a character that just spent 15 years in prison for something he didn’t do, and has only just escaped to hear that his wife is dead and his child doesn’t know of him. OVERACTING?
Hell… not only is he insane, but this is a MUSICAL. You wanna see overacting? Go watch “High School Musical.” Now THERE is some overacting.
NOW THAT I HAVE SAID THAT:
I must ask, does anyone know if “A Little Priest” is in this? I saw a shot of “By The Sea,” and of course there’s “Epiphany,” but no “Preist?” That’s the best song of the show! If it’s not in it, I may have to do some serious stalking and go scold Burton for leaving out one of the cleverest, funniest and bleakest songs ever written by the God that is Sondheim.
Oh, and Bonham Carter seems lovely. Hope she’ll do Angela Lansbury justice.
Have a good day.
Ta.
October 11th, 2007 at 9:33 pm
this is going to be a WOW movie…..
November 9th, 2007 at 12:56 pm
1. I am getting depressed as I am getting some indications that this is based on the musical but it really won’t be a “musical”. (None of the actual sonegs, if I am the the message right.)
2. Some of you folks are too picky. (Depp over the top? So’s your reaction.)
Thanks,
Paul
November 13th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Paul, don’t panic. It is a musical and there are plenty of songs. Not all of them, but most. Here’s the track list for the CD.
1. Opening Title
2. No Place Like London
3. The Worst Pies in London
4. Poor Thing
5. My Friends
6. Green Finch & Linnett Bird
7. Alms Alms
8. Johanna
9. Pirelli s Miracle Elixir
10. The Contest
11. Wait
12. Ladies and Their Sensitivities
13. Pretty Women
14. Epiphany
15. A Little Priest
16. Johanna
17. God, That s Good!
18. By the Sea
19. Not While I m Around
20. Final Scene
November 15th, 2007 at 10:01 am
“Sweeney Todd” is the STEPHEN SONDHEIM masterpiece. This trailer has me excited and a lot scared. The bits shown look marvelous, but with Burton and Depp, I hope Sondheim isn’t relegated to the “back seat” in favor of, well, typical Burton/Depp fare. Hal Prince knew it was Sondheim’s and showcased the music beautifully. Stephen Sondheim deserves the accolades for “Sweeney Todd,” and his Tony-award winning score must be presented faithfully. One doesn’t mess with perfection. I’m holding my breath, hoping Tim Burton takes the backseat.
November 27th, 2007 at 6:57 pm
Sweeney Todd was my first ever Broadway musical and I’ve been hooked since it’s revival in 2005 with Patti LuPone. I noticed the track list above. What is Alms Alms? No song from the revival track that I’m aware of.
I was very concerned when i saw that the movie was rated R, on stage it was just cautioned for children under 11. I suppose though they can do more realistic elements with movie graphics.
All in all i think everyone should be very excited for this movie. One of the best parts in Johnny Depp supplying his own vocal along with Helena. It should be interesting. Let’s hope it lives to the amazing expectations.
November 28th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
Hi, Olivia — at the end of Sweeney’s introduction, when he and Anthony step off the boat, the beggar woman suddenly appears — “Alms…alms…for a mis’rable woman…Hey, don’t I know you, Mister?” — making salacious advances toward Anthony and Sweeney. It’s a frenetic 9/16 musical passage in “No Place Like London.” It’s the Beggar Woman’s theme music. Perhaps Steve expanded the number even more for the screen, or they simply titled it separately. Sweeney has been my favorite since July 1979, and I appeared in the show twice — the second as Sweeney himself — what a magnificent and vocally demanding score! I’m still nervous, but I read recently that Steve likes how it turned out. Also, the stage version is worth an R-rating, what with the Judge’s “Mea Culpa” number and the Beggar Woman’s lewd advances in “Alms, Alms!” — and that’s not counting the murders, which, depending on the director, can be fairly bloody. In one production, we had blood squirting practically into the audience! Ha! Burton, I hear, is pulling out all the stops. Very grizzly. I agree with you, hoping it lives up to expectations.
November 29th, 2007 at 5:17 pm
Tim - I definately agree about the Sondheim-Burton-BackSeat deal. I was a little distressed by the emphasis put on Tim Burton. “From the mind of Tim Burton” or whatever…? Uh, no! Not so much from HIS mind, thankyouverymuch. Burton is positively lovely, but when is Sondheim himself gonna get the props he so desperately deserves?
I am a little sad that Alan Rickman doesn’t get to do the “Mea Culpa” number. Of course it’s deraged and disturbing and incredibly incredibly sick… but it’s ALAN RICKMAN, who is awesome. And the song, while squicky, is beautifully composed.
Additionally, I weep for the loss of “Kiss Me”. SUCH a great song! I mean, really! Just the… the…. EVERYTHING. It’s gorgeous! The duet… and then the quartet… and the LYRICS! They’re layered and layered upon each other and so damn QUICK! It’s incredible… I find “Ladies and their Sensitivities” to be a bit unimpressive for Sondheim’s standards, but when it was paired with “Kiss Me” it was incredible!
…Of course, it has some ridiculously high notes, so I understand somewhat.
December 4th, 2007 at 12:44 am
Everything that was cut was suggested by Sondheim - he was indeed included in this project. In fact, he approved of the cast and the main crew. Yes, Depp came with the film but Sondheim did approve of him as well.
And actually, from the looks of the original script, Burton ended up adding more songs in than what John Logan originally had in (and as I said, advised by Sondheim) But it’s not as if Burton overloaded it with music either. The film is shortened and all but two songs were shortened. And you obviously know of what was cut.
Sondheim has been showing this film off to his friends and past Sweeney cast members. He really loves it. It’s for the most part Sondheim’s show, but with a different approach which is necessary for it being in a different medium. (And naturally, the singing talent is not the same but it’s more fitting, again, for film.) Everyone has been saying this is a classic and what Sweeney fans have been waiting 30 years for. :)
December 16th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
This may indeed be a perfect matching of talent for this musical masterpiece. I saw the original production with Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury. Lansbury was so magnificent, and her performance will be hard to top. I am anticipating that Burton may have dropped some of the darkly comic elements from the Sondheim theater production in favor of visual atmosphere and more violent thrills. I hope this is not the case, but if Burton and Depp can pull this off convincingly, I’ll give them both genius awards. (In my opinion, Sondheim has already won a genius award for Sweeney Todd.)
December 16th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
To petrina: Burton didn’t drop the comical elements, they are just played off more dead-pan because of the subtle, dark environment. The wink-wink nudge-nudge jokes wouldn’t work well on screen in this adaptation, which is why he had to take out lines such as “with or without his privates”, which is my favorite but I didn’t even notice it missing! This kind of humor t would throw off the feel of the film. What’s really great is that Burton works the music so well into the film, just as Sondheim did on stage. You don’t even notice sometimes that they’ve started to sing. And it is indeed wall to wall singing, which keeps true to the musical being an “operetta”, even though the film didn’t have to do this. Burton felt it was important though. Burton and Sondheim claim it’s about 80% musical, but it felt more like 90% to me.
December 16th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Since November, I’ve heard so-o-o many good things — Steve being involved, and approving, showing the film off to friends like Angela. Yadda-yadda! Now I’m REALLY looking forward to the premier next Friday. I wish I could’ve gotten a ticket for the preview.
I read a review today of the recording that was glowing. “…reveals how faithful Burton has been to S.S.’s luminous score…” “Burton’s movie has the ring of Sondheim authenticity.”
Hey! If this goes well, and it looks like it will, maybe other directors will make more films of other Sondheim shows! Wouldn’t “Into the Woods” be wonderful on the screen? or “Follies?” — with Streisand?
Saturday’s a big holiday party with rabid Sondheim fans — I’m positive “Sweeney” will be the main topic of conversation throughout evening! Ha!
Happy holidays, all!
December 16th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
Apparently, Follies is attempting to be brought to the big screen by Sam Mendes and Aaron Sorkin. No casting yet, but I agree about Streisand. And I too think into the Woods could be done brilliantly on screen. Sondheim apparently believes Company could transfer, I don’t see this but who knows what ideas he has for it!
December 28th, 2007 at 3:51 am
can’t wait to watch the movie, i’m a great fan of both Tim Burton and Johnny Depp!
December 28th, 2007 at 9:06 am
Saw the film opening day — holiday delayed comments. The film looks fantastic. Everybody really captures the spirit of the play. Sondheim admirers will respect the film. Those who don’t know the original will love it. I missed all the little details. Really annoyed that the stars “crooned.” Anything that required a vocal musician was cut. **sigh!** Who stole the show? Ed Sanders — perfect as Toby, and did absolute justice to the signature “Not While I’m Around.” Alan Rickman and Timothy Spall were wonderfully creepy — made me wonder what Rickman could’ve done with “Mea Culpa,” as his work in “Pretty Women” was very nicely performed. Heavy on the CGI, but fun to watch. Blood was fun and not too bad, but watching the bodies hit the pavement was, dare I say?, “overkill.” Jonathan Tunick did a terrific job of piecing the score together and making it sound fantastic with a full symphony. I’d listen to just the instrumental background — WOW! So, “Sweeney Todd” is an expensive, lush looking film to watch. As a musical masterpiece, well, I encourage everyone to go see it LIVE instead — and hope that future Sweeneys won’t emulate what they saw on the screen.
December 30th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
ok ok look for the person that saii dat to tim burton please go away and buy a liife ok cuz first of all tim burton is the best director and jonny depp hes soo preettyyy and omggg love this moviie and love unrealistic thingssss
okkkkkk
well byeee
January 9th, 2008 at 10:02 am
movie was Fuc#ing awwsome!!! loved it, going to go see it again this weeknd. great stoyrline and point in the movie. GREAT acting and singing, especially by Depp.
January 9th, 2008 at 10:13 am
well i hate it too!!!!!!
January 10th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
um yo well i really love all the blode and when u see the people dead and i totily thout it was so cool i loveed it so much so ya
January 14th, 2008 at 9:54 am
keith is my nigaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
January 14th, 2008 at 9:56 am
Especially in this fly movie. right dawgs? I could go see that shit 1,000,003 more times dawg. Word up homies
January 14th, 2008 at 10:04 am
Edward Scissorhands was kind of a weird movie, i just saw it saturday night, i thought that movie had killing in it, i was wayyyyy wrong about that dawg. Sweeney Todd was definetly a better movie. By miles. This movie wona few Golden Globe awards, and it’s nominated on alot of oher upcoming award shows. It just won BEST actor and BEST movie. Johnny Depp did a fantabulous job acting and singing in this fly movie. Him and Tim Burton make a GREAT movie making couple. They pretty much bring in millons for any movie that they are both “in”. Burton needs to keep getting Depp with himand they might make 6 more fantabulous films together. I hope they don’t stop now. I’m loving their movies. This one WAS no doubt by far one of the best movies I’ve ever seen, and their movies they both make together are some of the best movies. Scissorhands was actually a good movie. willy Wonka was kinda… you know. Tim burton is a great drector and Johnny Depp is a great actor and i hope they both keep winning alot of awards for this GREAT movie and other movies to come. :)
January 28th, 2008 at 7:01 am
this film looks so amazing, it has a great cast and im a big johnny depp and tim burton fan, cant wait to see it.
February 1st, 2008 at 9:54 am
i already have the movie!!! fantastic
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:17 pm
I loved it, espesially the part where that guy thinks he’s going for the best damned shave of his life and bedlam ensues :)
April 5th, 2008 at 11:22 am
Ray, you need to lighten up man. I mean you don’t have to like it but you don’t have to be such a douchebag either.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
best movie EVER!!!!