Sweeney Todd Part 6 27 My Friends Ballad of Sweeney Todd

[moonlady3000]

I really can't stand the whole 'Depp is Better!/Hearn is Better!' arguement. They both bring something to the role. Especially since the mediums they work in are very different.

I like the stage version better because I like the "overacting" and the comedic elements it has.

Sweeney's character was all too serious and depressed about his revenge in the movie. I think of 'Epiphany' specifically when I site this. Hearn's Sweeney is nearly manic while Depp's is practically whispering the song.

[ChrisMagoo99]

@moonlady3000 yes the "overacting" adds to the dark comedy that the musical was supposed to have (which I think the movie missed out on but I digress). we also must remember that acting for an audience is much different than acting for a camera, and that when on stage the acting has to be more broad so that people in the back of the theater can see what's going on as well as the people in front

[Malignanttorture]

"The demon barber on fleet street" makes me feel proud to be a bass/baritone.

[snarfblat23]

incredible

[CrockosaurusBrett]

@suckittomcat This isn't the original cast.

[Cookieandcreame51]

So good!

[suckittomcat]

Depp received much negative criticism for his performance and rightfully so. This original version with George Hearn and Angela Lansbury is the version by which all others are judged. Angela's vocals were shaky sometimes but her acting and dancing was exquisite and delightfully comical at all the right moments. Hearn is incomparable as Sweeney Todd. The role will die with him in my opinion. Don't forget the rest of the cast was brilliant as well.

[spotoftrouble]

The ultimate blank by Sweeney there. Poor Mrs Lovett :(

[Lindenwood1997]

I don't like it because it is nothin like Depp; he was so much more into it and not so operay to it and who ever played Mrs. Lovet sucked she sounds like she is 50 and not a pretty singing voice either!

[PervAccount]

@Lindenwood1997 do you even know what Broadway is? That's how it goes, and also they need to be animated for the audience who is sitting farther away can see. Angela Lansbury was 57 in this and still amazing

[clairetm63]

@Lindenwood1997 You are an idiot. Mrs. Lovett is SUPPOSED to sound like she's 50. The Tim Burton film was a bunch of bull crap and this is the version of Sweeney Todd that should be the version by which all others are judged. Hell, even the original cast with Len Cariou was better than the movie.

[Sedraen]

As much as I respect Depp for his interpretation of this and the excellent presentation offered in the movie, no other actor can best the way Hearn thunders the final line. It's chilling to the bone.

[Askmolnet]

I don't like George's version. He rushed through the whole song. Depp took his time and you could really feel his emotions in his voice and singing. He's the one and only Sweeney for me.

[MrSean24601]

@Askmolnet I agree that it was a little rushed. But I do love George's voice. I wonder if it's only rushed in this professionally filmed performance because everywhere else I've heard it at a much slower tempo, like the movie.

[Zillafan01]

Sweeney: May I offer you nice 3 fellows right there a SHAVE?

[sonicfanatic4949]

This was made into a movie?

[wackyfun512]

@sonicfanatic4949 johnny depp and helena bonham carter version, not as amazing of singing as this

[CosplayCore]

@sonicfanatic4949

Because no one answered you, I will. Yes. Tim Burton made a movie version of it in 2007, I believe.

[xskullxkissesx]

I love this version of sweeny todd. THE BEST! I love Tim Burton, but this tops ALL versions :D

[Lestat98986]

@xskullxkissesx is sweny todd the version

[MountainDewAndDucks]

I think the I've deciphered the reason I can't quite see George Hearn as a murderous barber: He reminds me too much of William Frawley, otherwise known as Fred Mertz from I Love Lucy, which is ironic considering Sweeney's wife is named Lucy.

[CosplayCore]

@MountainDewAndDucks

OH MY GOD HOW COME I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT JOKE?! I could just see it! Todd walks right into the pie shop and says "Lucy, I'm hoooome! You've got some 'splainin' ta do!". ROFL!!!! :'D You just made me smile. But I CAN see George Hearn as this character because I think he kind of looks like the guy who played the original silent film Phantom in "Phantom Of The Opera". He makes faces the same way as that guy.

[DemonicSymphonic]

@MountainDewAndDucks lmao

[thehappyphantom84]

Why is this titled "my friends ballad of sweeney todd????" It's just called "My friends"

[RelytDraw51]

@thehappyphantom84 Because they sing part of the Ballad

[titotheninja]

@celeathka couldnt have said it better myself. Hearn will always be the best sweeny to me.

[Celeathka]

Hearn will always be Todd to me. Always.

<3 I love how Hearn and Lansbury just CLICK on stage.

[FrackasaurusRex]

I miss the Ballad in the movie, it gave the performance more depth. Simply the tune of it wasn't enough for me.

[cloboclimpinwats]

I'm sorry but you will never beat Hearn's performance, his stage presence and voice is unbeatable. It's a shame that enough people haven't seen this version, they just think Tim Burton's is the only one that exsists.

[suckittomcat]

@cloboclimpinwats I agree. The only good thing about the movie is that it publicized this wonderful operetta and now many more people have seen the quintessential version by which all others will be judged.  Hearn is magnificently evil and deranged and the rest of the cast was excellent as well. This role will die with Hearn.

[NinjutsuNinjaQueen]

this was good in the beginning, but when he got into it i think he kinda rushed it a bit. while Depp's voice might've sounded a bit...young for the character, w/ the song, he took his time and you could feel the emotion and pain of love that's been lost. im gonna have to go w/ Depp's version on this one. (and not just because he's my absolute favorite actor and freakin idol, either...yeah...)

[aliceinwonderland622]

angela lansbury is my fave mrs. lovett



[iknowicandance94]

this was way too fast. it's a beautiful song, and you barely get to enjoy it. I like Johnny Depp better on this one, sorry.

[NinjutsuNinjaQueen]

@iknowicandance94 yeah, same here

[icerules13]

i still prefer johnny depp no offense

[Bag2218]

I like Depp's version of this song

[superblah47]

Best Sweeney Todd in my opinion

[jws1272]

@superblah47 This version was my first experience with Sweeney Todd, and George will always be my favorite Sweeney.

[suckittomcat]

@jws1272 George is my favorite by a long shot. All of the cast did a wonderful job with this and you can't beat the score.

[DrunkenYodeler]

I like Angela's acting better, but Helena's singing better. Angela is a great singer but it's just weird when she sings Mrs. Lovett's songs... I think Helena's singing was better as Mrs. Lovett.

[matthewparsons1996]

@DrunkenYodeler probally, but Helena got the opportunity to do the recording first and focus on her singing to get it as perfect as possible, the she just had to give all her acting and lip sing on set, whilst Angela has had to do both acting and singing at the same time, and make them both as perfect as possible, not just a few times, but for about 4 years non stop i think cuz she was in the original cast of 1980, on Broadway and then she did the tour which is wear they filmed this.

:)

[DrunkenYodeler]

@matthewparsons1996 also true. :)

[AliaSparrow]

@DrunkenYodeler You mean the editting and cleaning makes Helena better. I really liked Helena as the soft, dainty Lovett but you can hear Helena struggling between breaks in notes even in the final edits.

[suckittomcat]

@DrunkenYodeler I haven't heard your Helena's version but Angela's acting, dancing and comic timing are what cinches her in the role. Her singing was a tiny bit annoying at times. All in all, this is a technically difficult singing role. Even Patti LuPone struggled with it a little. I think it is in between ranges for most women or something. Not an easy part. Generally, in the theatre, acting ability usually trumps singing ability although there have been exceptions.

[CrazyAboutSims2]

When he says, "you'll soon drip precious rubies" is he referring to blood, or money?

[Venom0027]

@CrazyAboutSims2 the former

[SeventhShadow]

@CrazyAboutSims2 Oh, most definitely blood. He wants revenge, after all.

[xxkewldudexx]

@CrazyAboutSims2

Blood, of course.

[matthewparsons1996]

@CrazyAboutSims2 blood

:)

[FleetStreetNightmare]

I love the way he sings this, he has such a powerful voice, perfect for Sweeney! Because of this and being used to Hearn's Sweeney, when I go to see productions of Sweeney Todd I am always so disappointed in the performances of Sweeney because I expect them to match this. Which I guess is really stupid, since no one really can. :P yep. I need lower standards lol

And Lansbury as Lovett is AMAZING! The most entertaining Lovett I have seen, shes fantastic to watch.

[YesIm10]

I hate to say it, but the Johnny Depp/Helena Bonham Carter version is better in my opinion.

I've seen many versions, and I've found that it's not so much the voice of whoever plays Sweeney Todd, but the one playing Mrs.Lovette. All you need to sing Sweeney's part is a strong deep voice, but there are alot of different ways to sing Lovette's part. Helena Bonham Carter's voice was amazing for this.

[Phyre112]

@YesIm10 I agree that there are many ways to sing the Lovette's part - and that it's CRUCIAL to the song, but I think it's even bigger that the man playing Sweeney have a some power and a bass line to his voice. The movie just doesn't stack up on that count.

[topduelist111]

@YesIm10 dude that woman cant even sing!!!!!!

[LeonBarmiteous]

@topduelist111

You haven't done your research, I'm guessing? Look up Helena Lansbury in the search box, and listen to her sing, she has a beautiful voice. In this play, she is supposed to sound annoying; it adds to her character.

I guarantee that she's far better than you have assumed...in fact, just listen to her sing "Wait", also a Sweeney Todd song, and you'll definitely think twice.

[MischiefManaged1990]

I wish they will make this musical in Belgium!

[TheDaughterOfSparda]

...O.O....I like Johnny Depp more....But still; really good. :)

[amberrocks96]

What I find interesting is that in this version. They characters are very brash. While in the movie they are more secluded and timid (in a way).

[XxMissNoNamexX]

@amberrocks96 The movie is certainly more gothic. This is more colorful and musical-y. When you're doing a musical, it kind of has to be bolder. I don't think the quiet goth way translates very well live, but it does great in film.

[amberrocks96]

@XxMissNoNamexX Yeah, I agree. It's just a very nice contrast. I also noticed how in the musical they are all crazy in a sense giving actual meaning to the line "There's no place like London". That doesn't happen in the movie.

[waterpolojared]

AT LAST MY ARM IS COMPLETE AGAIN!!!!!! Shivers

[chuckle2010]

WOW !!! Thanks so much for posting this!!

I have an old video of this show. So nice to see it whenever I want it.

THANKS CHRIS.... that was so cool of you....

[Spitfyre1011]

My last haircut, my barber got out one of those straight razors and started shaving me without any shaving cream and I almost crapped my pants.

[xxkewldudexx]

@Spitfyre1011

Huh, didn't know they still used em. Gilettes or electrics are safer and easier....

[PufferBluntman]

@Spitfyre1011 I once shaved with a machete - not completely, of course, but I made some clear lines with it: sharpening knives and razors is kinda my hobby

[Sword1479]

@Spitfyre1011 The same happened to me!!

[otakudreamer]

The set of this show is amazing, it was the first revival of realism in the theatre and the fact that they tore apart a Victorian factory to make this set is amazing.

[thekillerfuzzball]

Its because of this song that I added a straight razor to my collection of blades.

[PufferBluntman]

"At last my arm is complete again!" - getting goosebumps every time I hear this

[matthewparsons1996]

@PufferBluntman lol, well behold the acting of George Hearn.....SCARY AS HELL!

Still in his other credits he was great, ah he was such a good wizard in wicked.

:)