Questions
Who directed the Sweeney Todd movie and when did it come out?
Tim Burton directed the film, which was released in the US on December 21, 2007, and in the UK on January 25, 2008.
Who plays Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett?
Johnny Depp plays the demon barber Sweeney Todd, and Helena Bonham Carter plays Mrs. Lovett.
What is the movie based on?
It adapts the 1979 Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler stage musical, which was itself based on Christopher Bond’s 1970 play.
How long had Tim Burton wanted to make this film?
Burton reportedly first saw the stage musical as a CalArts student in London around 1980 and loved it so much he attended three nights in a row, then pursued the adaptation for decades before finally directing it in 2007.
Did Johnny Depp really sing in the movie?
Yes. Depp, who was not known as a singer, took vocal lessons to prepare, and producer Richard Zanuck reportedly called casting him something of a gamble.
Who else is in the cast?
Alan Rickman plays Judge Turpin, Timothy Spall plays Beadle Bamford, and Sacha Baron Cohen plays the rival barber Adolfo Pirelli.
Why did Timothy Spall audition for it?
Spall reportedly auditioned because his daughter urged him to, hoping to meet Depp, and after filming Depp greeted her like an old pal at the press junket.
Were there any newcomers in the cast?
Yes, three cast members had never appeared in a film before: Ed Sanders as Toby, Jayne Wisener as Johanna, and Jamie Campbell Bower as Anthony.
Why does the blood in the film look so strange?
Burton wanted the movie to be bloody to convey Sweeney’s emotional release, and the fake blood was colored orange so it would render correctly on the desaturated film, with crew reportedly wearing bin liners to avoid stains.
How did Depp create Sweeney Todd’s look?
Depp designed his own image for Todd, using heavy purple and brown makeup around his eyes to suggest he had never slept, with a white streak in his hair meant to represent the shock of his rage.
Did the film win any major awards?
It won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy, and Best Actor for Depp, plus the Academy Award for Best Art Direction, with Depp also earning a Best Actor Oscar nomination.
Was Stephen Sondheim involved in the movie?
Sondheim was not initially involved but was extensively consulted, reportedly sending MP3 files of shortened songs for approval, while orchestrator Jonathan Tunick expanded the orchestra from 27 to 78 musicians.
How did it do at the box office?
Made on a budget of about $50 million, the film grossed roughly $152.5 million worldwide.
Why did some UK audiences complain about it?
Studios downplayed the singing in the trailers, and some UK viewers complained the advertising was deliberately misleading, with a few reportedly walking out once they realized it was a musical.
