Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is celebrating its 15th anniversary (released on the 21st of December 2007). A bloody and macabre musical film tells a story of a wronged barber named Benjamin Barker (now Sweeney Todd) who comes back home from Australia having served 15 years in prison on a false charge. After seeing that his life has changed and his family is gone, he swears to take revenge upon everyone who wronged him. From there, Sweeney starts to spin his crimson web.
The challenge to adapt the stage musical was accepted by the Gothic filmmaker Tim Burton who’s known for his distinctive style and feel. He was fascinated by Sweeney when he saw the stage production while still being student in 1980. The composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim accepted the offer to adapt the musical to film with a certain hesitation. It took some decades for the film to see the daylight as Burton was occupied with other projects.
The film was a success both with critics and audience alike. The box office collected $153.4 million against the budget of $50 million. It received 3 Academy awards nominations (Best Actor, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design), winning the Best Art Direction for Dante Ferretti and Francesca Lo Schiavo. Also, Sweeney got 4 Golden Globes nominations: for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and Best Director. It won 2 statues for Best Motion Picture and Best Actor for Depp.
Sondheim was happy with the finished product. He even praised the film for being one of the rare occasions when the stage musical was successfully transferred to the silver screen. (x)
For me, the Lover album is open fields and sunsets and SUMMER. I want to celebrate the album and perform it live with you in a way that feels authentic to the music.