Sweeny Todd Anyone?

[Orang Utan]

I'll wait for the DVD

 

[Santino]

Greg Wallace would say: The beauty of the music... combined with the cleverness of the lyrics, and then BANG, the rich vein of dark humour. THAT is a quality film.

 

[Vintage Paw]

Hopefully going to see this on Friday, looking forward to it.

My friend has been trying to get me into Sondheim over the summer. I've only seen Sunday in the Park with George and Into the Woods. I liked them both. I didn't love them though.

 

[poului]

w5ytwse5dycser

Legend has it that Bonham-Carter had to be vocodered in every scene.

 

[mrsfran]

Legend has it that Bonham-Carter had to be vocodered in every scene.

Not a trace of vocoding in the film. Bonham-Carter wasn't the one who needed it, although her accent did wander a bit.

 

[Reno]

Legend has it that Bonham-Carter had to be vocodered in every scene.

She certainly doesn't sound it, but if she had help with the pitch then it doesn't matter, she gives a fantastic performance. She's not a professional singer after all and rather a bit of tweaking than having another singer dub her. That's something I never like in musical films.

 

[spanglechick]

isn't sondheim 'sung-through', like lloyd webber?

maybe not. he just doesn't seem to do the big, memorable tunes of the classic musicals...

that said, i've used the script of this in lessons in the past - it's a great story, so i'll probably see it.

 

[Reno]

isn't sondheim 'sung-through', like lloyd webber?

maybe not. he just doesn't seem to do the big, memorable tunes of the classic musicals...

that said, i've used the script of this in lessons in the past - it's a great story, so i'll probably see it.

Most of it is sung but unlike Lloyd Webber, who makes me want to tear my ears off, Sondheim is a great composer. I thought there were great tunes in there, but they aren't of the sing-a-long kind.

 

[mrsfran]

isn't sondheim 'sung-through', like lloyd webber?

maybe not. he just doesn't seem to do the big, memorable tunes of the classic musicals.

Songs/Lyrics by Sondheim:

I Feel Pretty
America (from West Side Story)
Everything's Coming Up Roses
Let Me Entertain you
Send in the Clowns

All pretty memorable

But Sondheim isn't just about the big sing-a-long Elaine Paige belters. His music is subtle and witty and interesting. And it is "sung-though" in the sense that the songs are integral to moving the plot along. It'd be a weird musical where they weren't.

 

[QueenOfGoths]

There is some beautiful music in "Sweeney Todd" - "Pretty Women" and especially "Johanna" - and I think it is one of the most accessible of Sondheim's shows in terms of its story and music.

My main problem with the film I can sum up in three words. Helena, Bonham and Carter.

I can't stand her as a performer and to see her as Mrs. Lovett just sticks in my throat.

I think I mayl give it a miss and instead remember Julia McKenzie in the National Theatre's production a few years ago now. Just brilliant. The best Mrs. Lovett I have seen

 

[spanglechick]

Songs/Lyrics by Sondheim:

I Feel Pretty
America (from West Side Story)
Everything's Coming Up Roses
Let Me Entertain you
Send in the Clowns

All pretty memorable

But Sondheim isn't just about the big sing-a-long Elaine Paige belters. His music is subtle and witty and interesting. And it is "sung-though" in the sense that the songs are integral to moving the plot along. It'd be a weird musical where they weren't.

he only wrote the lyrics for wss, though.

and i have to say, the last two are good examples of what i don't like about musicals.

I'm fully prepared to admit that he's extremely talented and a cut above most everyone else. But on a personal level, I prefer musicals which are plays / films with songs from time to time (such as WSS), rather than 'sung throughs'. I'm not being a snob here - clearly the 'sung through' is the closer relative of opera - it's just a matter of taste.

 

[Orang Utan]

The last musical I went to at the theatre was a sing through from the wroters of Les Mis and it was diabolical - I fell asleep!

 

[mrsfran]

he only wrote the lyrics for wss, though.

and i have to say, the last two are good examples of what i don't like about musicals.

I'm fully prepared to admit that he's extremely talented and a cut above most everyone else. But on a personal level, I prefer musicals which are plays / films with songs from time to time (such as WSS), rather than 'sung throughs'. I'm not being a snob here - clearly the 'sung through' is the closer relative of opera - it's just a matter of taste.

Which is why I said "Songs/Lyrics", not "songs". I don't think "only" writing the lyrics is something to be sniffed at though.

Out of interest, what is your favourite musical?

 

[Orang Utan]

I know you're not asking me, but mine's Cabaret

 

[QueenOfGoths]

The last musical I went to at the theatre was a sing through from the wroters of Les Mis and it was diabolical - I fell asleep!

Dear god it wasn't "The Return of Martin Guerre" was it? If so you have my sympathy

 

[Orang Utan]

Dear god it wasn't "The Return of Martin Guerre" was it? If so you have my sympathy

Yes! It was soooo boring!

 

[moomoo]

Legend has it that Bonham-Carter had to be vocodered in every scene.

What does that mean?

I quite fancy this but no one will come with me so I'll have to wait for the DVD.

 

[Orang Utan]

What does that mean?

I quite fancy this but no one will come with me so I'll have to wait for the DVD.

Go on your own!

 

[mrsfran]

What does that mean?

I quite fancy this but no one will come with me so I'll have to wait for the DVD.

You are allowed to go to the cinema on your own, you know. I do it often

 

[spanglechick]

What does that mean?

I quite fancy this but no one will come with me so I'll have to wait for the DVD.

i'll come.

 

[spanglechick]

Which is why I said "Songs/Lyrics", not "songs". I don't think "only" writing the lyrics is something to be sniffed at though.

Out of interest, what is your favourite musical?

no - but since my dislike is based on the musical dynamic, the lyrics aren't relevant to my point.

favourite musicals:
Caberet
Guys and Dolls
West Side Story
High Society
Moulin Rouge (2001)
Chicago

 

[Pieman]

I cant bear to watch it. Sweeney is my favorite musical and I heard Sondheim had to cut a number of songs in order to trim the running time. No "Ballad of Sweeney Todd" in "Sweeney Todd"?! Sacrilege!!

 

[frogwoman]

I've just read the original book, the "string of pearls" It'd be interesting to see how this compares to it.

 

[Reno]

I've just read the original book, the "string of pearls" It'd be interesting to see how this compares to it.

I'm quite interested to read this now. Did you enjoy it ?

 

[frogwoman]

Yeah I did, it's a fantastic story

 

[Reno]

Must add it to me reading list.

 

[frogwoman]

Yeah, it's called "sweeney todd, the demon barber of fleet street: the original novel" and it's published by oxford uni press

not to spoil it, but once you know the conditions in which mrs lovett's delicious pies are produced ...

 

[frogwoman]

http://www.urban75.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=237376 thread in general

 

[Ozric]

There was a clip on Film 2008 last night. I was on the PC at the time so just listening. Has Depp based the voice on the Hitcher?

 

[Santino]

I think it's based on David Bowie meets Keith Richards.