When Sweeney Todd hits theaters on December 21, I wonder how many people will be aware that it is an adaptation of a popular musical — a musical so full of singing that it is occasionally performed by opera companies. The TV spots for Sweeney are doing their best to make the film look like SleepyBeetleScissorhands: emphasizing Johnny Depp’s gothic look (the hair helps), the Danny Elfman-esque score, and Tim Burton’s name prominently displayed at the beginning of every spot. If I didn’t know that this was a Stephen Sondheim show, I might disregard the brief snatches of song in some of the ads as a campy Corpse Bride/Beetle Juice type of thing. The commercial below is a typical example:
Now, compare the non-musical spot with the following "Broadway!" version:
All of sudden, Tim Burton’s name is relegated to the oddly upbeat voice-over describing the film as the "holiday event of the season" while Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter sing and dance. I haven’t seen this one on TV yet — I’d be interested to see what kind of shows it gets attached to.
The commercials that hide the singing are crafty enough that they might lure a good number of unsuspecting folks just looking for another Tim Burton/Johnny Depp film. The real puzzle is whether or not they will like what they see and hear. Sweeney is no doubt a great match for Burton’s sensibilities, but most people don’t take kindly to being tricked.
Are you planning to see Sweeney? How would you feel if you showed up for a bloody, horror/comedy and got the following scene instead?
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I *was* kinda wanting to see this based on an EW article a couple of weeks ago. The last clip might have scared me off tho.
Why should this even be an issue? Why are people “scared off” by actors singing? If you like Tim Burton/Johnny Depp go see it. Nothing is going to happen to you if you sit through a musical.
I’ve seen the second commercial on tv. Many times. Most of the clips I see on tv feature singing.
If people are thrown off by the singing, it’s their loss. This is one of the most engrossing, complex, dark, layered and absolutely stunning shows ever to be put on the stage, and it’ss hardly a “typical” musical. If Burton manages to come even close to the original (and by all accounts, it seems he does), then audiences are in for a real treat.
I don’t mind the singing. I have a weak stomach for violence, so I may be more put off with how graphic it may be. And anyone who walks in to the theater without knowing what a movie is about or what genre it is deserves to lose their money. It’s not hard to look in the newspaper.
I’m aware enough of popular culture to know that Sweeney Todd is a musical sometimes performed by opera companies. You must think we’re all a bunch of mindless idiots incapable of higher thought or, for that matter, using the Internet to research things we’re interested in. Give us a little credit; that is if you intend for us to keep reading your magazine and visiting this site without fear of having our intelligence insulted.
In many interviews (including EW’s) Tim Burton wasn’t going to make the film unless “there is lots and lots of blood”. Now granted I haven’t seen it, but I don’t think we’ll be disappointed. I think any decent movie-goer would know that this is based off the musical; in turn singing will be in it. Did not Moulin Rouge and Chicago hit it big on the big screens? I rest my case.
I’ve actually seen the singing commercial on TV as well but only a handful of times. I understand why people feel that it’s being misrepresented on TV but that’s what movie reviews and newspaper articles and websites are for. If people can’t be bothered to read about the film and hence find out it’s a musical/opera then they deserve what they get in my opinion. Oh, and I love Johnny Depp and Tim Burton but I’ve been kinda skeptical about seeing the movie cuz I just wasn’t sure how Johnny Depp’s voice would be. I’m over my fears thanks to the last clip and will definitely see this when it comes to theatres!!
The same thing happened last year with Dreamgirls. I had many friends who didn’t know it was based on a Broadway musical and the “trick” made them hate the movie. I think the same thing will happen again. The first thing each of these commercials should say is “based on the award-winning musical” so people know and can decide if they want to see it.
I saw a screening of the film about a week ago, and was surprised that most of the audience didn’t know going in that it was a musical. There is actually very little dialogue in the film! And it is VERY bloody, although the blood itself looks almost cartoonish. Fantastic film, though – and Johnny Depp can really sing!
First of all, I’m really excited to see this. Secondly, there are definitely going to be people out there who don’t know it’s a musical. I think that kind of advertising is crass and I just have to remember to seperate the art from the business of film. I also hate it when foreign movies are advertised without any dialogue, therefore trying to hide the fact that it is in a different language. I don’t get it. I despise this kind of stuff.
I knew it was a musical, as would any culturally literate person, but I’d never have known it from the trailers and commercials I’ve seen. My intense dislike of musicals will be overcome by my admiration for the director and cast, so I’ll definitely see it.
There are a frightening number of people who walk into a theater, look at the show board and pick whatever movie is starting soonest — they have no idea what the film is about (hence, the people who walked out of “Life is Beautiful” because it had subtitles).
Now, I have seen “Sweeney Todd” and I can honestly say my first reaction was: “I *loved* this. … And it’s probably the perfect film for about 12 other people in the country.” I love musicals; I love Burton & Depp together. I was not disappointed. However, it’s important to note this is NOT a “Chicago”-style musical. Characters don’t pause for musical numbers — the whole FILM is a musical number. I’m sure there will be many people who don’t get it, are turned off by it or who just plain hate it, but I for one am a fan.
As for the blood? Let’s just say you will not be disappointed…
Well, I happen to be a big musical theatre fan, and I think this is one of the strangest (npi) choices of shows to make into a movie, because not only is it very legit music, but Sondheim is just so…inaccessible to the casual listener. (Not like Hairspray, for example, which is full of catchy tunes.) I think people are going to hate it as soon as they hear the bizarre, often antimelodic music.
I know it is a musical (DUH) but from what I saw in the commercials, I was wondering if Tim Burton was trying to make it less musical. I mean Oliver Twist was done with and without. Glad to know the music remains, so I will probably see it.
I adore Sweeney Todd, but I totally agree with Marie about it being less accessible than Hairspray and other musicals like it. In fact I know a few huge fans of musicals that hate Sweeney Todd- it just depends on what you like. I think a lot of people will see it because of Tim Burton, Johnny Depp, and Helena Bonham Carter, plus the promise of blood. I’m not going to see it though, because as much as I like listening to the music, I really am squeamish and don’t want to see the macabre subject matter played out in the gruesome fashion promised.
Actually, I’ve seen the “Broadway” commercial on the Bravo network. Make of that what you will.
I’ve always known this was a musical, and I’ve been anxious to see it since it was first announced they were doing it. But I agree, the marketing definitely seems to be downplaying the Sondheim musical angle as much as possible, and I think the blogger has a point – some people might feel duped enough by this marketing strategy to create negative buzz once it opens.
My husband and I LOVE Sweeney Todd. But when he saw the first trailer, he turned to me and said, “Did Burton turn this into a some sort of non-musical version of the show?” (I, being the EW geek that I am, straightened him out.) So, those commercials can be pretty misleading even to people who know the show. The thing is, Sondheim’s musical was actually based on a straight British play from the early ’70s. So I don’t think it’s fair to say that everyone should automatically know it’s a musical. Anyway, I agree with bud – what the heck is so scary about watching some people sing on screen??
If people don’t know by the title (or by reading any entertainment magazine articles) that it’s based on a broadway musical they should probably go back to school…or even still, watch more movies. There are several movies out that have some sort of reference to Sweeney (ie Jersey Girl, Miss Congeniality & 1970 film Bloodthirsty Butchers). TV adaptations like 1998s The Tale of Sweeney Todd with Ben Kingsley being nominated for Best Actor at the SAG awards. It’s not a “trick” by anyone to get people to watch a musical. If you don’t like musicals but are a fan of the Burton/Depp combo then you should see it for no other reason than that. Experience new things!
I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. It may not be your favorite of their work, but it doesn’t look like Burton is far off the original.
It isn’t as if it hasn’t been reported just about everywhere that it’s a musical. Practically every interview and article focuses on how most of the actors don’t really have a musical background and how wonderfully they perform despite that. If people only get their info on a movie from the tv spots, then it’s their own fault if they feel misled. I can’t wait to see it.
I have been surprised by how many parents of young children I’ve heard saying they will be taking their children to this movie. Clearly they are expecting another wacky Johnny Depp roll that is (somewhat) appropriate for the kiddies. I realize that not everyone reads entertainment magazines and that not everyone is pop culture literate and base most of their film viewing choices on what is presented to them in the previews. So for that reason I wish previews were a bit more honest when it comes to this sort of thing. Of course nothing can be done for the parents that ignore even the most obvious preview and take their kids to any movie they want simply because its cheaper and easier than getting a babysitter. I wonder how many crying and talking kids I will have to endure when I go see Sweeney Todd.
I was lucky enough to get to see a screening last week. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a masterpiece…Tim Burton’s best work to date…and Sondheim trimmed an hour off the play’s running time, making his work far more accessible.
The only thing that puzzles me is why they would open something so dark at Christmastime. That, I think, is the big gamble here.
Both Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter have incredible grips on their roles…great depth of human emotion…sadness, dispair, hope, love…but at it’s heart this is a very dark movie.
But as to the trailers…if people can be tricked into an introduction to Stephen Sondheim’s sumptuous score (Danny Elfman-esque??? No way.) and haunting lyrics (“no one’s gonna harm you, not while I’m around”)…good!
I saw the musical in college and fell in love. I still routinely listen to my original Broadway recording with Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett. If those uneducated college freshman at a state school can live through a local production of this musical (and enjoy it) then the general public should be able to handle it if they accidentally wander in. I do hope that the train whistle is tone down just a little bit. That blaring note will drive the uneducated masses out of the theater.
I adore Tim Burton and LOVE Johnny Depp. I actually saw the singing version on TV over the weekend. It was the only time so maybe the made a mistake!
I am so excited to see this film. I have not been to the movies in months because I cannot stand sitting in the theather with a bunch of a**holes talking to each other or on their cell phones. I set up the movies in my Netflix queue and wait so I can watch them in the peace and comfort of my home theater. I have wanted to see this since it was rumored to be in development. I am ready for the gore, the singing, and frame after frame of Johnny Depp! Merry Christmas to me!!! 
Besides, if there are as many Alan Rickman fans out there as previously indicated by the “sexiest actor” boards, the movie should do just fine.
i love johnny depp and musicals so i will be first in line!! i loved him in crybaby and i love the old version of sweeney todd.
I’m so gonna see it. Of course, I know that it’s a musical.
I was just having this conversation with another broadway enthusiast. I have been following this movie ever since filming started and am ecstatic that its turning out so well. but i notice right around the time that the first trailer came out, whenever i mentioned the play to people I was met with a blank stare. It is a beloved musical, but not many people have heard of it. It doesn’t have the same draw as say CATS(bleh) So I thought people would see the trailers and like it because at the very least “JOHNNY DEPP SINGS!” Which is a great reason for the teeny-bopper crowd to go. But the tv spots don’t show the real story. I just had a hour-long conversation about the fact that people, if they only see the tv spots, are expecting to see sleepy hollow, edward scissorhands or at the very least, Nightmare before Christmas. They’re expecting to see johnny depp in another tim burton original. and these tv spots are doing nothing to dissuade them of that notion. Nobody is prepared for Sweeney
NYC Tom: Thank you for your feedback of the screening. In response to your question: Why would they “open something so dark at Christmastime?”, This isn’t the first time a movie with dreary undertones has opened around around Christmas. Anyone remember Schindler’s List opening on December 15? The movie is a powerful and excellent film, but to release it around that time? Come on….
Same thing happened with Rent. Nobody I knew with the exception of the person who told me, knew that Rent is a broadway musical. And they couldn’t tell from the previews. All they saw was 2 women kissing, people dancing on tabletops, and ONE song. The studio didn’t know how to market it. Chicago, who doesn’t know that Chicago is a musical. And they marketed it as a musical. Even Dreamgirls was kinda marketed as a psuedo-musical. It was about a girl group. it was about music. only stands to reason that it would have music in it at some point. but i think its atrocious that unless you know the music already and would be going to see it for the simple fact that its stephen sondheim. You would think with all the buzz about it, and the “shoo-in” for a oscar nomination, the studio would want to let people know that it is in fact a MUSICAL. at the very least it can make people who actually like musical aware that they have something to see at Christmas.
I can’t wait to see this, but the lack of singing in the trailers has me worried. When my musical junkie friends and I went to see Phantom of the Opera (I like Butler as the Phantom, okay? He’s not horribly disfigured but “Music of the Night” and “Down Once More” were both awesome!) the first fifteen to twenty minutes of the movie were ruined by people storming out because ‘people are singing!’ The theatre was full before it started, then it emptied out to about twenty people. The only good thing about it was that we were far enough away from any of them that we could sing along quietly without disturbing anyone. (We went back later when it was a completely empty theatre aside from our group and sang along loudly.)
If they didn’t realize that PHANTOM OF THE OPERA was a musical, how can I expect them to realize that Sweeney Tood is?