MOVIE TWO: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Hi there!

Today's movie comes from the archive of the director Tim Burton.
Starring Johnny Deep and Helena Bonham Carter, and set in the London of the XVIII century, this gothic-style movie winner of some very prestigious awards is a powerful combination of music, acting and good staging. Here is a short synopsis:

"The infamous story of Benjamin Barker, a.k.a Sweeney Todd, who sets up a barber shop down in London which is the basis for a sinister partnership with his fellow tenant, Mrs. Lovett. Based on the hit Broadway musical."

And here is the trailer:

Even when some of the actors are not British, it's British English, so pay attention to the differences between the way of talking of Johnny Deep (American) and Helena Bonham Carter (English), with her posh accent, sometimes very hard to understand for people who are used to another accent. But anyway, it's an exceptional movie that you will for sure enjoy.

Here are some musical clips from the movie:

CLIP 1: PIRELLI'S ELIXIR

TOBY

Ladies and gentlemen!
May I have your attention, please?

Do you wake every morning in shame and despair
To discover your pillow is covered with hair
Wot ought not to be there?
Well, ladies and gentlemen,
From now on you can waken at ease.
You need never again have a worry or care,
I will show you a miracle marvelous rare,
Gentlemen, you are about to see something wot rose
from the dead!
On the top of my head.
'Twas Pirelli's
Miracle Elixir,
That's wot did the trick, sir,
True, sir, true.
Was it quick, sir?
Did it in a tick, sir?
Just like an elixir
Ought to do!
How about a bottle, mister?
Only costs a penny, guaranteed.
Does Pirelli's
Stimulate the growth, sir?
You can have my oath, sir,
'Tis unique.
Rub a minute,
Stimulatin', i'n it?
Soon you'll have to thin it
Once a week!
TODD
Pardon me, ma'am, what's that awful stench?
MRS. LOVETT
Are we standing near an open trench?
TODD
Must be standing near an open trench!
TOBY
Buy Pirelli's Miracle Elixir:
Anything wot's slick, sir,
Soon sprouts curls.
Try Pirelli's!
When they see how thick, sir,
You can have your pick, sir,
Of the girls!
Want to buy a bottle, missus?
TODD
What is this?
MRS. LOVETT
What is this?
TODD
Smells like piss.
MRS. LOVETT
Smells like -- phew!
TODD
This is piss. Piss with ink.
TOBY
Let Pirelli's
Activate your roots, sir--
TODD
Keep it off your boots, sir--
Eats right through.
TOBY
Yes, get Pirelli’s!
Use a bottle of it!
Ladies seem to love it--
MRS. LOVETT
Flies do too!
...

CLIP 2: NO PLACE LIKE LONDON

ANTHONY

I have sailed the world, beheld its wonders

From the Dardanelles

To the mountains of Peru,

But there's no place like London--!

TODD

No, there's no place like London.

ANTHONY

Mr. Todd...?

TODD

You are young.

Life has been kind to you.

You will learn.

There's a hole in the world
Like a great black pit
And the vermin of the world
Inhabit it
And its morals aren't worth
What a pig could spit
And it goes by the name Of London.
At the top of the hole
Sit the privileged few
Making mock of the vermin
In the lower zoo,
Turning beauty into filth and greed.
I too
Have sailed the world, and seen its wonders
For the cruelty of men
Is as wondrous as Peru,
But there's no place like London!
I beg your indulgence, Anthony ... My
mind is far from easy. In these once
familiar streets I feel shadows
everywhere...
ANTHONY
Shadows...?
TODD
Ghosts.


CLIP 3: THE WORST PIES IN LONDON

MRS. LOVETT

Wait! What's yer rush? 

What's yer hurry?

You gave me such a--

Fright. I thought you was a ghost.

Half a minute, can'tcher? 

Sit! 

Sit ye down!

Sit!

All I meant is that I

Haven't seen a customer for weeks.

Did you come here for a pie, sir?

Do forgive me if me head's a little vague--

Ugh!

What is that?

But you'd think we had the plague--

From the way that people--

Keep avoiding--

No, you don't!

Heaven knows I try, sir!

Tsk!

But there's no one comes in even to inhale--

Tsk!
Right you are, sir. Would you like a drop of ale?
Mind you, I can't hardly blame them--
These are probably the worst pies in London.
I know why nobody cares to take them--
I should know,
I make them.
But good? No,
The worst pies in London--
Even that's polite.
The worst pies in London--
If you doubt it, take a bite.
Is that just disgusting?
You have to concede it.
It's nothing but crusting--
Here, drink this, you'll need it--
The worst pies in London.
And no wonder with the price of meat
What it is--
When you get it.
Never
Thought I'd live to see the day
Men'd think it was a treat
Finding poor
Animals
Wot are dying in the street.
Mrs. Mooney has a pie shop,
Does a business, but I noticed something weird--
Lately all her neighbors' cats have disappeared.
Have to hand it to her--
Wot I calls
Enterprise,
Popping pussies into pies.
Wouldn't do in my shop--
Just the thought of it's enough to make you sick.
And I'm telling you them pussy cats is quick.
No denying times is hard, sir -- Even harder than
The worst pies in London.
Only lard and nothing more--
Is that just revolting?
All greasy and gritty,
It looks like it's molting,
And tastes like--
Well, pity
A woman alone
With limited wind
And the worst pies in London!
Ah sir,
Times is hard. Times is hard.


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