Sweeney Todd: The Stud of Fleet Street

I’ve been listening to the Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on repeat for a while now, and I thought this would be a perfect story to talk about during the month of love. Because seriously, what’s romance in literature with out some tragedy and murder, right? It was originally a story called The String of Pearls and there have many adaptions but none more famous than the 70’s musical with music done by the legend Stephen Sondheim.

My first introduction to the story was the 2007 film adaptation directed by Tim Burton which starred Johnny Depp, Helen Bonham Carter, and Alan Rickman. I worshipped Tim Burton so I’ve seen everything he’s ever done and I’ve loved movie musicals so I was ready. I absolutely loved the movie and had no idea how much rich history the story had. Todd is basically an urban legend.

Image via Wikipedia

This is the best story to revisit this month, because Sweeney Todd is riddled with romance! Todd’s love for his wife, Lucy and his daughter Johanna, Anthony’s love for Johanna, Mrs. Lovett’s love for Todd, Toby’s love for Mrs. Lovett — but most importantly Todd’s love for his passion.

Before Sweeney Todd was born he was Benjamin Barker, a very gifted barber and had a set of beautiful silver straight razors. When he is wrongfully imprisoned and sent away for fifteen years, he vowed to get his revenge on Judge Turpin who assaulted his wife and took his daughter and raised her.

Todd loved his razors so much that he called them his friends and had a whole song dedicated to them! When one of his razors was in his hand, he would feel complete. Of course we are not excusing his behavior through out the narrative, because killing men and baking them into pie isn’t the greatest way to show one’s affections, but Mrs. Lovett doesn’t seem to complain.

Image via The Void

I always imagined what the story would have been like if Judge Turpin wasn’t horrible and if Todd wasn’t sent away and got to raise his daughter with his wife. He probably would have continued his work as a barber and might have even won an award if they gave awards for that sort of thing. Lucy and Johanna would probably garden and read, I suppose, as there wasn’t that much for women to do in those days, but they’d all have a sweet little life. And Johanna would probably meet Anthony in town and they’d eventually end up together.

Todd would be a great companion; not Todd as Todd but as Barker. He’d be dedicated, loyal and sweet, but unfortunately, if you are down with a mass murder, that is your prerogative. But let’s face it, there would be no story if Judge Turpin hadn’t been horrible, and Todd would have never gotten that cute white streak in his hair, and that would have been a shame.

In all seriousness, everyone has got to see or watch this story in whatever medium they can get their hands on, because it’s such a sad story but surprisingly enough, also filled with immense hope. Whether you are single or in a relationship, there is enjoyment to be had with the demon barber of fleet street.

Featured Image via Screen Rant