Sweeney Todd, o Barbeiro Demoníaco da Rua Fleet

Though the video technology may be dated, this classic musical play, now on DVD, is the best version of Sondheim's most important and polished work on Broadway. If you've never seen SWEENEY TODD, then you must buy this DVD. I saw this production in November 1980 at Kennedy Center in Washington--and fell in love with a pre-"Murder She Wrote" Angela Lansbury. Subsequently, I tried to find any and all of her work, among them: MOVIES: "The Harvey Girls," "The Picture of Dorian Gray," "Manchurian Candidate"; CDs: "Mame," "Dear World," and "Gypsy"; and many more. The rest of the cast is flawless, too. All in all, this wonderful DVD gives us the definitive version of Sondheim's opera!

I don't think I can add to the praise given to this wonderful production. The musical itself is a masterpiece in its own right, and I honestly loved this production. I loved the darkness and bleakness of the sets, and that while the costumes are nothing fancy they are effective and nice to look at. The score is utterly magnificent, the music is completely memorable and the lyrics are something that I love to quote, the opening chorus, the epiphany, Green Finch and Linnet Bird and the ending stand out especially. The dialogue is darkly humorous, the story is suitably macabre and entertaining and even the make up is good.

The performances, both acting and singing were superb. The only person I had a problem with was Betsy Joslyn's Johanna, I just found her singing shrill at times and there were a few moments in Green Finch and Linnet Bird where she was pitchy. Joslyn aside, George Hearn is superlative as Sweeney, funny, chilling and handsome, and what a voice. His Sweeney is by far my favourite Sweeney ever, and the great Angela Lansbury matches him perfectly as Nellie Lovett. Cris Groenendaal was a charming Anthony, and Edmund Lyndeck stands out in a considerable way as Judge Turpin. Even the chorus were great. Overall, if you love Sweeney Todd, this is a must see. 9.5/10 Bethany Cox

I have owned a copy fo this for ages now, on video, but will definitely be buying the DVD release.

Angela Lansbury and George Hearne are the unmistakable people to perform these legendary roles.

This is suberb theatre at its peak, what a cast, the entire crew, the staging and the lighting are fantastic, as well as the ensemble who provide the extras in this macabe piece of theater.

The new work with Patti LuPone and George Hearn is nothing in comparison, except for the lush surround sound provided by todays technology.

A must see for any die hard Stephen Sondheim fanatics like me.

I have only praise for this film. From start to finish it captured the brilliance of Stephen Sondheim's musical. I am not a big fan of musicals most of them are very overdone. This one however changed my mind. I am an actor myself and have actully played Sweeney and I know how hard this role is. George Hearn gave a stunning, masterful and rounded performance worthy of the highest awards that we can give him (He won an Emmy and that's something.) Everything he does he turns to gold. He is so good it will blow your mind why he's not in films winning oscars. Lansbury is also very good and very funny. Sara Woods is creepy and wonderful as the Beggar Woman. All in all a great video. Pick it up if you can.

Even if you're not a "theatre person," I highly recommend that you see this. Based off of a play of the same name by Christopher Bond (which, in turn, had been based off of an old London legend), Sondheim did a wonderful job bringing it to the musical theatre stage. The score is just amazing-- by far Sondheim's best, and probably one of the best scores written for a musical ever. The show was cast extremely well, my only complaint being of Betsy Joscelyn's portrayal of Johanna. It;s good, mind you, and she's a very versatile actress, but she just doesn't sing "Greenfinch and Linnet Bird" too well. But other than that, it's all phenomenal-- Angela Lansbury *made* the role of Mrs. Lovette, and she just does it so well. George Hearn was a good replacement for Len Cariou in the title role, and Ken Jennings gives a great performance as Tobias. The ending will give you chills. Top marks for a wonderful show.