Sweeney Todd on DVD - God, That's Good

The sumptuous darkness of Tim Burton's Sweeney Todd arrived on DVD last week. It's a pleasure to report that the film as transferred remarkably well to small screen, and in fact, in its DVD incarnation, I found it was easier to savor many of the smaller details of the movie while watching the DVD: most notably Johnny Depp's simultaneous romantic and demented interpretation of "My Friends" – Sweeney's lyrical paean to his razors. Depp's performance here is enhanced remarkably by Dariusz Wolski's swirling cinematography, which allows us to see Sweeney's reflection in his "choppers" as Mrs. Lovett calls them.

On disc, what I found interesting too, was the way in which the claustrophobic atmosphere of Victorian London –created by the Academy Award-winning team of Dante Ferretti (art direction) – seems to be increased exponentially. The black and white visuals – with traces of red – simply seem terrifically – and appropriately – oppressive. Given this, the film's the trio of Technicolor sequences – two early in the film when it flashes back to Sweeney's "happier" days with his wife and infant daughter and one late when Mrs. Lovett imagines her life with Sweeney by the sea – are not only visual reliefs, but eye-popping ones a well. It's a little like being taken out of a dark basement and into bright sunlight.

"Sweeney" has been released as both a single disc and a deluxe two-disc "Special Edition." A quick check of "street prices" online reveals that there's only about a $6.00 or $7.00 difference between the two, so I'd have to say that the double disc is probably the better bet, given some of the special features that are included on the second disc.

As with many bonus features on DVDs these days, several of the sequences are little more than extended press junket footage – interviews with the cast and creatives. There's interesting material here, but it does become repetitive as you surf between the features. What makes the bonus features truly interesting – for those familiar with the musical and those new to it alike – are the mini-documentaries that have been released alongside the movie. One focuses on the real history of "Sweeney Todd", Another one explores the theatrical tradition of "Grand Guignol" and a third investigates the realities of "Sweeney's London."

I also found myself captivated by a fourth segment here – the mysteriously titled "The Razor's Refrain" – a kind of medley from the soundtrack that is synched sublimely with still images from the movie.

All in all, this one is a delight – albeit a gory and chilling one.

QUICK LINK: http://www.sweeneytoddmovie.com/