Sweeney Todd Slice and Dice – DVD / DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

by

It’s been quite a while since we’ve seen a film about the infamous demon barber; the last significant one was Tim Burton’s adaptation of the stage musical, which came out in 2007 and starred Johnny Depp as the title character. One can only imagine how much he might have wished Amber Heard was just another customer! However, “Sweeney Todd: Slice and Dice” is nothing like a musical; instead, it’s an unapologetic horror movie with Terry Bird taking on the lead role.

In 1846, as a young boy, Todd endures the torment of losing his parents due to an uncompassionate judge’s decision. As a grown man, he ekes out a living as a barber, though his shop often appears devoid of clients. It seems that London, even in Victorian times, was oversaturated with Turkish barbershops. Todd continues to harbor resentment towards the judge and carries on with his daily routine until an encounter with Tobias (Steven Brandon), a man afflicted by Down’s Syndrome. In this chance meeting, Todd rescues him from a brutal attack. Tobias then introduces Todd to his mother, Mrs Lovett (Jo Dyson), who also nurtures a deep-seated anger against the same judge.

Mrs. Lovett devises a scheme for retaliation against high society figures, as Todd eliminates them using his razor-sharp knife. She then conceals their remains in her meat pies’ fillings to dispose of them. Her thirst for revenge is intense and uncontrollable, bordering on being appalling. As they continue with their plan, they are growing increasingly close to being exposed, with a detective hot on their trail.

The low-budget horror film, “Sweeney Todd Slice & Dice,” showcases some clever elements – sepia-toned flashbacks and a gruesome slaughter montage synchronized with the catchy tune “Boiled beef and carrots.” Terry Bird, known for his roles as tough characters in numerous TV comedies such as “Not Going Out,” “My Family,” “Roger, Roger,” “Black books,” and even “ChuckleVision,” convincingly embodies the title character. Jo Dyson also fits the part perfectly, delivering each line with zest. However, some supporting roles seem underdeveloped, with actors reciting their lines as if they were unwillingly cast in a school play, lacking the passion of an overworked delivery driver from Evri.

In terms of horror enthusiasts, the narrative offers ample opportunities for grisly scenes. However, when certain characters have their throats slit, there seems to be a surprising absence of arterial blood splatter. This might be due to the movie’s limited budget rather than creative choice. Yet, the film could serve as a foundation for a potential series, hinted at by Bird (also a producer), who shares his ideas for an intriguing blend in subsequent films as discussed during our interview with him. Check it out here…

We chat with producer and star Terry Bird about the film…..

Here’s the Sweeney Todd Slice and Dice trailer….

Sweeney Todd: Slice and Dice becomes available for digital and DVD purchase starting June 2nd, distributed by Kaleidoscope Film Distribution.

Read More

2025-06-02 02:23