A Great Sweeney Review by IESB.net

Script Review: Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd! PDF Print E-mail
Written by Robert Sanchez
Thursday, 13 September 2007

The IESB has a look at the script of one of the most anticipated movies of this year. After a Short absence Michael Vaal is back with a unique view to Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd.

SWEENEY TODD

a script review best served piping hot by Michael Vaal

“There was a barber and his wife,

And she was beautiful.

A foolish barber and his wife.

She was his reason and his life,

And she was beautiful,

And she was virtuous,

And he was... naïve.”

I’ve recently had a chance to read the latest draft of the screenplay for SWEENEY TODD. While it is based on a famous musical, it is one that very few people have seen. This is primarily due to the dark subject matter, as the plot revolves around a past rape, false imprisonment, revenge, and murder which then transitions into cannibalism, believe it or not (see below).

And yet, unlike the vast majority of so-called “horror” films in theaters these days, the story of Sweeney Todd is not about puerile titillation or deviant gratification. For SWEENEY TODD is not only widely regarded as the legendary Stephen Sondheim’s musical masterpiece (yes, this “horror movie” is a musical, and yes, I think it’s better than WEST SIDE STORY in every way), it is also one of the greatest tragedies ever written.

That's just smidgen of it so read the rest (highly recommended) here: IESB

HBCfan, out! <3>