Sweeney Todd The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1982)
Starring with Angela Lansbury (Beauty and the Beast and Murder She Wrote), George Hearn (Flags of our Fathers and The Devil's Own) and Edmund Lyndeck (Enchanted and Big Daddy)
First Impressions Before Seeing The Film
Honestly, I thought they only did the Johnny Depp and the Ray Winstone version. Both very different versions I didn't know Angela Lansbury was in this. So, I was very excited to see this film when I saw it in an old DVD shop in my local town. I know the Johnny Depp version is a Hollywood film, with slight opera influences and some special effects. Then, you have the Ray Winstone version which is BRILLIANT this is basically just an acting side of Sweeney Todd. So, seeing this film on the back it said "opera stage" then I thought might as well add this to my film history of Sweeney Todd. Then, I've seen the hollywood version, the acting version AND the opera stage production.
After I watched the film
Well, on my own I love this film! It's truly a wonderful performance by both Angela Lansbury who plays Mrs. Lovett and George Hearn who plays Sweeney Todd/Benjamin Barker. But, I watched it with some friends and they hated it because it's 'boring'. I did feel like that with others, I just felt it was a great film, great singing and great acting by most of the actors. Edmund Lyndeck whom plays the Judge in the performance wasn't Alan Rickman but I would have him as the next best thing! The chorus in the performance.....mhm....was making it feel more stage for me personally. I love the chorus especially for Sweeney Todd to give it that strange creepy feel to the movie.
Is the new Sweeney Todd with Johnny Depp better?
Ahh, someone asked me this once and....they are both good. I would say the newest Sweeney Todd is better because you can; for example, when Mrs. Lovett sings "By The Sea" boom we are at the seaside. I don't think we can physically do that on stage unless we teleport! Plus, the costumes in the newest edition is more what we recognise. This film is keeping it a very traditional opera.
So, what's the bottom line?
If you like lots of singing like Les Miserables add this to your addition of knowledge of Opera. It's longer by a lot by the new one. However, this film covers everything and the music is really good I think.
Tips if watching the film?
Remember it's an opera so and it's in the 1980s it's 32 years old this film! Just take that into consideration when watching this film. Simply because, the film industry, effects, camera quality has changed so much since then.
My rankings
I like the 1980s film industry, the 80s films are amazing. I would give this a 10 out of 10, because it's something I personally like. I like operas. It has similarities to the new Sweeney Todd and I love both of them. This one is done on stage, so it was nice seeing it on stage from a performer point of view. But, considering the new one with Johnny Depp is done by film the effects are better. But, remember it was done in 1982!
Here is the IMDB page for this film: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0084747/
No comments:
Post a Comment