When it comes to legendary the tale of Sweeney Todd, I seem to follow a backwards order. My first real acquaintance (I heard of and knew the story before, though) only came with the release of Tim Burton's Gothic masterpiece starring Johnny Depp in the titular role. Subsequently I saw a couple of inferior and dull made-for-TV productions from decades in a descending order (a 2000's version, a 90's one starring Ben Kingsley and an 80's one) before now - and finally reaching the vintage old 30's Tod Slaughter version that I heard and read so much about. Although it's practically impossible to make a comparison, I like this film almost as much as the aforementioned Burton movie. Both movies depict an equally depressive and ominous portrayal of 19th Century London; they both contain a few surprisingly shocking moments and they both star incredibly charismatic acting monuments in the lead role. Tod Slaughter totally and single-handedly makes this a genuine horror classic with his sinister appearance and, especially, his nastily grim laugh. The scripts of the two films, however, are very different. In the newest version, Sweeney Todd is illustrated as a traumatized and mentally tormented romanticist out for vengeance against the evil townsmen who destroyed his family happiness. In this version, adapted from a stage play, Sweeney Todd is a pure and relentlessly malicious criminal who kills and mutilates for his own benefit and personal entertainment. The creepy Fleet Street barber lures rich and lonely travelers into his barber's chair and makes sure they never leave again. His ally, the baker woman Mrs. Lovatt, helps Todd getting rid of the bodies by processing them into her famous and acclaimed London meat pies. Todd has set his mind on marrying a wealthy harbor fleet manager's daughter, but then he'll have to "polish off" her fiancée first. Obviously adapted from a stage play, with limited and one-dimensional set pieces, "Sweeney Todd" is nevertheless a fast paced and occasionally very uncanny 30's chiller. Tod Slaughter is a true delight to observe and embodies every aspect of the horror icon. He petrifies little children, steals, betrays, double-crosses, kills and laughs throughout the whole process.
Review of The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
