Originally broadcast on television, Sweeney Todd is a videotaped performance of
Stephen Sondheim's acclaimed Broadway musical, as staged by director
Harold Prince. This morbidly dark-humored tale, set in the 19th century, begins with the arrival of the mysterious, severe Sweeney Todd in London. He soon encounters Mrs. Lovett, owner of a local meat-pie shop, who recognizes Todd's true identity: Benjamin Barker, a local barber who had been unfairly sent to prison by the evil and powerful Judge Turpin. Todd discovers that after his exile, his wife Lucy was raped by the judge and soon afterwards committed suicide; even worse, the judge subsequently adopted Todd's daughter, Johanna. Consumed with rage, Todd plots a bloody revenge with help from the admiring Mrs. Lovett; it seems she has not only kept Todd's razors sharp all these years, but has an inspired plan for disposing of the corpses. Sondheim's witty songs and lyrics find dark comedy in this Grand Guignol story without neglecting the tale's more horrific elements. This production, largely taped at a Los Angeles performance during the show's national tour, features the original Mrs. Lovett,
Angela Lansbury (who won a Tony for her performance), and George Hearn as the demon barber. ~ Judd Blaise, All Movie Guide