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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Johnny Depp and Tim Burton join forces again in a big-screen adaptation of Stephen Sondheim's award-winning musical thriller Sweeney Todd .
Depp stars as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, joined by Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies... The cast also includes Alan Rickman,Timothy Spall and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Produced in close co-operation with Tim Burton and the production team, this lavish, full colour hardcover official companion volume to the film will include a Foreword by Tim Burton, over 200 photos, concept drawings and production designs, extracts from the screenplay and interviews with the cast and crew.
Depp stars as the Demon Barber of Fleet Street, joined by Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett, Sweeney's amorous accomplice, who creates diabolical meat pies... The cast also includes Alan Rickman,Timothy Spall and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Produced in close co-operation with Tim Burton and the production team, this lavish, full colour hardcover official companion volume to the film will include a Foreword by Tim Burton, over 200 photos, concept drawings and production designs, extracts from the screenplay and interviews with the cast and crew.
160 pages, Hardcover
First published December 11, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
June 15, 2021
Update - yes the second of my stop! Must read! books thanks to my shelves being re-arranged. I had forgotten to be honest I had this book but when I spotted it oh did the memories all come flooding back (I remember my school did a musical production of Sweeny Todd - I was not part of it but my best friend of the time was Sweeny Todd himself - I'm Sweeny Todd the barber and evil soul I harbour, oh dear I am 10 years old again).
How the world turns and changes - who would have thought a primary school would do such a production all the way to the fall from grace of its lead actor. If you would have predicted these things I am not sure if you would have been laughed at or locked up, but change the world does.
So if the art of World War Z was a disappointment this was a total surprise. I enjoyed the film (will I admit that I actually performed the music Sweeney Todd while I was at school and can still remember the lyrics even now) but I was not expecting much from the book - I love the work of Tim Burton so I thought why not and gave it a go.
Well what a surprise - if the afore mentioned book was missing in artwork and insight in to the creation and the creators minds - then this book is the TOTAL opposite - it is full of production artwork - comments and commentaries - it shows what happened, how it happened and why it happened - I will have to admit that I will probably go back now and watch the film all over again as it has thrown it all in a new light. Now this is how a companion or "artwork of" should be, you actually felt like you were a privileged viewer granted special audiences to the film and it makes the book so more intimate and special. This book is a surprise and a joy to read
How the world turns and changes - who would have thought a primary school would do such a production all the way to the fall from grace of its lead actor. If you would have predicted these things I am not sure if you would have been laughed at or locked up, but change the world does.
So if the art of World War Z was a disappointment this was a total surprise. I enjoyed the film (will I admit that I actually performed the music Sweeney Todd while I was at school and can still remember the lyrics even now) but I was not expecting much from the book - I love the work of Tim Burton so I thought why not and gave it a go.
Well what a surprise - if the afore mentioned book was missing in artwork and insight in to the creation and the creators minds - then this book is the TOTAL opposite - it is full of production artwork - comments and commentaries - it shows what happened, how it happened and why it happened - I will have to admit that I will probably go back now and watch the film all over again as it has thrown it all in a new light. Now this is how a companion or "artwork of" should be, you actually felt like you were a privileged viewer granted special audiences to the film and it makes the book so more intimate and special. This book is a surprise and a joy to read
February 28, 2025
MMNNHHH! SWEENRY TODD! Good book about the movie and movie was GREAT so of course the book is like duhh. Half of it is writing about the book and backstory and the other half is concept sketches and stuff. 5/5, LOVE IT GURLY POP SLAYYYEEEDDDDDD.
December 22, 2007
This book goes into the making of the movie Sweeney Todd. It has interviews, goes into how some of the effects were done, stuff like that. The last part of the book has some of the songs (the lyrics) and lots of photos from the movie. Very cool book!
November 25, 2012
So far this is delightful. Heh, "delightful" This is the original text of the Sweeney Todd story from 1840-something. It was originally a serial in The People's Periodical.
Very interesting...not an easy read (for me anyway).
Very interesting...not an easy read (for me anyway).
September 17, 2023
This has been my favorite movie since I was 9 years old. It was the first movie I watched behind the scenes for and I was in love with it. All the work the crew did to bring the story to life was so inspiring and made me want to work in movies. I loved being able to read more about it and learn a few things even my obsessed 9 year old self didn't hear about. It definitely made me want to rewatch the movie.
May 11, 2021
It was fascinating to read the original inspiration for the film and stage production, and I loved learning more about the back stories of each character. I also really appreciated the string of pearls and how it connected the various plots. To begin with the story dragged a bit, but by the end I was very much engrossed!
November 20, 2015
I'm a huge fan of the movie and was able to watch a recording of the original musical so when I found this I definitely wanted to read it! It covered quite a bit about the legend itself, the different retellings, and the entire process of the movie in detail. The pictures were gorgeous and the interviews were insightful. The only complaint I have is that it seemed like the side actors were skipped over quite a bit. It would have been nice to see them receive a little more recognition. Overall it was a pleasure to read through.
May 26, 2023
It was really good, though, I had different expectations of the book, because I watched the movie beforehand. I was waiting for a lot more of Todd and Mrs Lovett interaction, but the whole book was about him and his barbershop. I got to see more depth in the characters, like what the motive behind Todd's murdering was, and what went through Mrs Lovetts' mind while working in the bakery.
I guess it wasn't actually the story of the movie, they took the original one and twisted it a little,but I think there was a musical before that, so the script came from there, I have NO idea. The main thing is that this story was not the film and the film is just a version of this one, again, I THINK.
With that being said, I think this was one of the hardest books I have read. The text was in old-ish english and took a lot of concentration to get through. I gotta give credit for the editors or the one in charge of publishing this though, there were a lot of citings to the text at the end of the book, to help you understand the older meanings of the text and some of the weird words or expressions at the time.
I guess it wasn't actually the story of the movie, they took the original one and twisted it a little,
With that being said, I think this was one of the hardest books I have read. The text was in old-ish english and took a lot of concentration to get through. I gotta give credit for the editors or the one in charge of publishing this though, there were a lot of citings to the text at the end of the book, to help you understand the older meanings of the text and some of the weird words or expressions at the time.
February 23, 2018
I read this back in 2008 and absolutely loved it: finished it in one sitting.
May 21, 2020
A beautiful collections of images from the movie, pre-production art and concept sketches, and also detailed explanations about the making of the movie Sweeney Todd. Very fun and engaging read!
April 12, 2015
For photos/video of this book, please visit my blog: http://www.movieartbook.com/2015/04/r...
I would recommend this book for any fan of the Sweeney Todd film.
For those interested in filmmaking, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes information about the production. Here are some of the topics included:
Finding Sweeney Todd - casting Johnny Depp and his take on the title role.
Finding Mrs. Lovett - Helena Bonham Carter and her acting process.
Finding the Look - costumes, makeup, camera tests
Finding a Supporting Cast - discussion about the supporting actors such as Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen
Making Music - writing the musical score for the film, and the actors talk about singing
No Place Like London - discussion of the sets and locations used
Of course, all of this is accompanied by gorgeous photos. There are plenty of photos of the stars and the director on set, as well as sketches and concept art. Plus there are still images taken directly from the movie. The images are striking, and fortunately there are plenty of them. I would call this more of an art book than anything else - the text is interesting, but it's the pictures that make this book worthwhile.
I would recommend this book for any fan of the Sweeney Todd film.
For those interested in filmmaking, there is a lot of behind-the-scenes information about the production. Here are some of the topics included:
Finding Sweeney Todd - casting Johnny Depp and his take on the title role.
Finding Mrs. Lovett - Helena Bonham Carter and her acting process.
Finding the Look - costumes, makeup, camera tests
Finding a Supporting Cast - discussion about the supporting actors such as Alan Rickman and Sacha Baron Cohen
Making Music - writing the musical score for the film, and the actors talk about singing
No Place Like London - discussion of the sets and locations used
Of course, all of this is accompanied by gorgeous photos. There are plenty of photos of the stars and the director on set, as well as sketches and concept art. Plus there are still images taken directly from the movie. The images are striking, and fortunately there are plenty of them. I would call this more of an art book than anything else - the text is interesting, but it's the pictures that make this book worthwhile.
May 9, 2008
This book was very good. The older-style language in it was hard to get over at first, but once you get into it it's very funny, scary, and dramatic. I would reccomend this to any one with a strong stomach!
Currently reading
September 19, 2008I know, i know, but im actually into this kinda thing, I saw the movie, LOVED IT, and had to get the book. Yes I saw the movie before reading the book, and yes I know thats bad, and for the people who don't like that, Im sorry.
October 16, 2008
i wouldnt recomend this book to anyone with a hatred of johnny depp or anyone with a weak stomach although it is quite an adventourous story i like the part when sweeney has an ephiphany its freeeeeeeeeeeeeeky but cool!
August 4, 2011
The beginning was kinda hard to keep reading, but after a while the story started to catch a good development. The end was rushed, but presented me with stuff that I didn't imagine while reading the book.
February 26, 2008
Loved this so much, all the gorgeous pictures, too!! I'll write a longer review later and will finally see the movie on Friday when it premieres here in Finland. :)
June 14, 2008
I watched the musical / movie and found the book the following day. Books are always better that movie versions, so if I liked the movie, the book will be wonderful!
September 11, 2008
فضا سازيهاي زيبا و رعب آور. داستاني تكان دهنده. فوق العاده بود
Currently reading
October 3, 2008So far very different from the movie.
Read
July 27, 2011Quite interesting but with a bit of an abrupt end.
Want to read
August 7, 2012I love the movie!!:) But I haven't read the book.:(
August 4, 2013
Love the classic old English writing. Keeps the readers heart in their throat at times with surrounding storylines, making Sweeney Todd a wonderful read for those that enjoy a little horror of mind.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews