If we’re going to do a series on cannibalism in the movies, we should start things off right by posting about Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. It’s a classic tale about a vengeful butcher who cuts men’s throats and the woman who butchers them and bakes them into meatpies.
There’s a very detailed recounting of the legend of Sweeney Todd, the character, at wikipedia and PBS’s website for the televised 2001 concert also contains much history and lore.
There’s information about the Broadway and touring productions at sondheim.com and you can learn more than you ever wanted to know about the stage and subsequent film versions at wikipedia. (Unless you’re a musical theatre nerd, in which case you don’t need me for this information in the first place).
I was oblivious to the fact that there’s a current production touring the U.S. although the show is not currently on Broadway.
The 1982 tv movie won multiple Emmy’s and showcased Broadway cast members such as Angela Lansbury.
In 2006, there was a BBC adaptation that doesn’t appear to have been released in the U.S. but was apparently well-received in the U.K.
The latest film version, directed by Tim Burton, stars Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman. among others. The trailer is here.
I haven’t seen the new movie yet and it’s been so long since I’ve seen the earlier incarnations that I can’t remember enough to have anything insightful to say. Maybe you can leave clever (cleaver?) tidbits in the comments to make this post more interesting…
Posted by rebecca 
