Rating: 
Summary: At long last!!
Review: I have been waiting for this musical to come out on DVD for a long time. Sadly I could not get the video as I live in Wales, so have had to wait till now. Hooray to the powers to be for releasing Sweeney Todd. I must admit I am biased about Angela Lansbury because this wonderful lady has been a favorite of mine for a long time, and her performance in this musical, was breath taking. She could be funny and yet you could see the sad person underneath this Mrs. Lovett. The irony of the musical is that Mrs Lovett does not see anything wrong is putting a little 'extra something' in her 'tasty pies'. Of course, George Hearn, is brilliant as Sweeney Todd. I am so looking forward to getting my DVD, as it will arrive by my birthday, so what a present to have eh??
Thank you Amazon for your great service!
Rating:
Summary: all good things come to those who can wait... but...
Review: i wait years to get this musical on dvd and hope, the 25th anniversary edition will offer some additional footage or some commentary tracks like the one on "sunday in the park with george" but this dvd "only" offers the showthe picture quality is good after a new transfer and the sound was mixed up to 5.1, but unfortunately the new soundmix, compared to the laserdisc, contains reduced sound of the audiances, so applause or laughts during the show were nearly unhearable and so the live performance get more a "studio version" feeling ( espc. when the actors wait the applause to calm down) but nonetheless
Sweeney Tood is a GEM, don't miss it, the greatest musical on earth to date :) GET IT
Rating:
Summary: Preserved classic
Review: In several ways an improvement on the original Broadway production, this is an invaluable film of one of the landmarks of both musical theatre and American opera. George Hearn acts Sweeney better than Len Cariou, the originator, if not quite as frigtening. Angela Lansbury's performance is legendary and shadows the part much as Merman shadowed "Gypsy". Most of the cast is either original or an improvement, the only exception being the vulgar Betsy Joslin as the ingenue. This is like having a film of Merman's tour of "Gypsy" and my only complaint is: where is the commentary by Sondheim, Lansbury and/or Prince? But a must own for Broadway musical theatre devotees.
Rating:
Summary: AMAZING!
Review: I purchased a copy of SWEENEY TODD on VHS about 5 years ago. It was an obvious bootleg; since executives at Image Entertainment apparently decided that there are no musical theatre lovers out there any more. I watched the VHS repeatedly and couldn't get over this amazing piece of American Musical Theatre. I am very happy to say that the DVD transfer is FAR superior to the original VHS release. You do loose the audience audio for the most part; but WHO CARES!! The performances are electrifying, and since this is a filmed stage production you forgive the actors for any "over-the-top" choices; after all, they are playing to a house of over 1,000 patrons! Purchase this DVD. It's worth every penny. Here's to future theatre performances being released for those of us not old enough to have seen the orignal to witness their power!
Rating: 
Summary: Don't Toss Your VHS!
Review: Thanks to some nameless technician somewhere in DVDland who doesn't understand "live" theatre, we have one of the worst transfers in DVD history. "Sweeney Todd" depends upon the audience interactions with the cast; otherwise the actors/singers look ridiculous and mere cartoons. While the sound from the stage is wonderfully clear, the audience reactions are so muted and remote that, even with the sound amplified, they are in the next county. What a poor decision! What a waste of a wonderful performance! And I saw this production live two weeks before it was videotaped. (I can only hope that someone with surround-sound will let us know that one can actually hear the audience around you!) Otherwise, it's a poor investment!
Rating:
Summary: Simply, THE BEST!
Review: My DVD copy arrived yesterday. I've managed to watch it only twice in that period. I will grant that George Hearn is not Len Carriou. But that's about as far as I will go. This magnificent production has been placed on DVD, and as close to the Broadway original I was priveleged to see as you can get. First, the sound. . .Oh my god, it is delicious. . . sorry, got carried away. The Sound is tremendous. The picture quality, from old tapes transferred to DVD, is positively superior. And George Hearn and Angela Lansbury in the leading roles are the epitome of Broadway at it's best. . .well, at least 20 years ago. And more. . .this performance was taped in Canada. But don't be scared off. This is wonderful. This is the musical theatre as it's supposed to be. This is theatrical magic. This is a score and music and lyrics by a genius. This is a book penned by a master. This is a production for the ages. Look carefully. It's only ladders, catwalks, a back-drop, and acting and singing. Be enchanted. And because of Sweeny, be afraid. Be very afraid. And Mrs. Lovitt. . .oh well, go figure. . . BUY THIS. WATCH THIS AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN! Because if you don't. . .well, Sweeny is still out there. . .with his razor. . .and he might well be looking for YOU! Oh, one last thing. I've seen the concert version with Hearn and Patti LaPone, and it's wonderful. But it's NOT the original. See THIS DVD, then enjoy the concert version. You'll tell the difference. Or if not. . . Well, Sweeny's still out there. . .
Rating:
Summary: FINALLY - A DVD!!!
Review: For years, the recording of this play (done for PBS) had only been produced on VHS. They did that about twenty years ago. If you checked the internet, copies were being auctioned beginning at fifty dollars. Now, finally, this most important of recordings has been made available on DVD with good picture and sound. Sweeney Todd is, quite easily, one of the Ten Best Broadway Musicals of all time. It is definitely Sondheim's best work. Unfortunately, it looks like there will never be a movie made - but perhaps with this DVD, we don't need one. This disc is so valuable because it captures the performance of Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovitt - one of the great musical performances of all time and the greatest of her career. It also captures the original stage direction by Harold Prince. The recording took place in Los Angeles, while the show was on tour. By that time, George Hearn had replaced Len Cariou as Sweeney. Sweeney Todd is completely original in every way. Don't expect a lavish, sappy musical - this is as dark as it gets. It is also one of the funniest musicals ever.
Rating:
Summary: Looks Great
Review: Obviously they took a great deal of care in creating this digital transfer. The picture is fantastic and so is the sound. If I have one complaint, I must admit, I miss the sound of the audience. I never found it distracting before, but now I notice that its missing on the DVD version. Thats a pretty minor complaint though for the ability to FINALLY have this on DVD!
Rating:
Summary: ATTEND THE TALE.....
Review: ...of "Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street". One of Steven Sondheim's most revered musicals and masterfully acted by Angela Lansbury as Mrs.Lovett and George Hearn as Sweeney with a superb supporting cast. The tale was beautifully presented on stage for television and now looks and sounds wonderful on disc. Played with all the demanding bravura a lurid Grand Guignol story like this calls for, the minimalist sets only enhance the spectacular performances and songs---including "Pretty Women", "Nothing's Gonna Harm You", "Joanna" and of course "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd". Hearn is THE perfect Sweeney Todd, wielding revenge with his razor and providing Mrs.Lovett with the perfect meat for her failing meat pie business in a seedy Victorian London neighborhood. This is the perfect material for an off-beat musical with a grisly twist. Everything is ideal in this production and rendering to DVD making it an immediate collector's item. Thank you Warner Brothers, Mr.Sondheim and an excellent cast for "Sweeney Todd".
Rating:
Summary: The Very Best Sondhiem Score
Review: Simply the best Sondhiem score ever!!! Followed up closely by Assasins. This was my first Sondhiem musical. I couldn't wait to get it on DVD and now it is here!! Everyone should see this musical. It is truely ground breaking and Hal's direction is the best there is. Simply FABULOUS!
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