Sweeney Todd (2006)

A BBC adaptation of the Victorian "penny dreadful" tale of 18th century "demon barber" Sweeney Todd, of Fleet Street, who cuts the throats of unsuspecting clients in his London shop.

Director:

David Moore

Writer:

Joshua St Johnston (as Joshua St. Johnston)

Stars:

Ray Winstone, Essie Davis, David Warner

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ray Winstone	...	Sweeney Todd
Essie Davis	...	Mrs Lovett
David Warner	...	Fielding
Tom Hardy	...	Matthew
David Bradley	...	Sweeney's Father
Roger Frost	...	Customer
Anthony O'Donnell	...	Gaoler
David Foxxe	...	Rector
Ben Walker	...	Tobias
Jessica Hooker	...	Polly
Paul Currier	...	Thornhill
Mircea Drimbareanu	...	Mr Lovett (as Mircea Drambareanu)
Gabriel Spahiu	...	Thief
Vlad Radescu	...	Sailor
Bogdan Cotlet	...	Youth

Storyline

A BBC adaptation of the Victorian "penny dreadful" tale of 18th century "demon barber" Sweeney Todd, of Fleet Street, who cuts the throats of unsuspecting clients in his London shop.

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Plot Keywords:

character name as title | serial murder | sweeney todd character | psychotronic film | 18th century | 

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Taglines:

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Horror | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Did You Know?

Trivia

The blind magistrate Fielding, played by David Warner, is a historical figure. John Fielding (1721-80) was the brother of novelist Henry Fielding and the two appeared in the TV series City of Vice (2008).

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Goofs

In the Church scene, the Lord's Prayer is being recited. The version that is used (beginning "Our Father, who art ...." was not in use until 1928. The only version that would have been used in Todd's time is that from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer, which begins "Our Father, which art ...", and differs in a number of other details.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Man in crowd: She runs a brothel with these two. Obviously hasn't been pounding the justice enough. They'll make her pay in Newgate.
Mrs Lovett: Stop it! It's wrong!
Man in crowd: Get off me! Of course you'd stick up for that sorry slut.

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Connections

Version of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

User Reviews

Excellent piece of storytelling

You believe in every one of the characters in this movie, as well as this being historical London. (Which it may or may not have been- the story may well be nothing but urban legend, of course.)

Ray Winston does a great job. He has done so often enough, but this one is my favorite, so far.

It's actually pulled off portraying the 'mad barber' as a kindhearted fellow who's really only slightly disturbed (aside from being plenty homicidal) in such a way that you believe it, extreme as it sounds. Well, I certainly did, at least. All thanks to very good acting and character development.

In sum, I found this movie to be far better than the musical edition of the same tale, starring Johnny Depp. But then, I always prefer psychological credibility over costumes and singing.

Details

Official Sites:

BBC [UK]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 January 2006 (UK)

Also Known As:

Sweeney Todd - O Barbeiro Canibal

Filming Locations:

MediaPro Studios, Bucharest, Romania

Company Credits

Production Co:

Box TV, Pie Shop Productions Ltd., Size 9 Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1