Hi there,

During my presentation last time, unfortunately I didn't have time to share the clip from Sweeney Todd with you. With that, I wanted to illustrate all the things I'd said about Tim Burton's movies.
First, without any comments, just watch it as if on the class:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hD8uQzu0IL0&feature=related

After watching it, you might consider that Sweeney Todd is, I think, one of the cruelest films I've ever seen. (I'm not a big horror fan, though -- still I'm pretty much convinced that the bloody scenes and, especially, the effect of them is outstanding in regard to "bloodthirst"). Those knives in Sweeney's hands, you can be sure, will unleash horror and flows of blood on Fleet Street!

But apart from this respect, the film also tells much about the same drama that you can see, for example, in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Anakin Skywalker falls to the same hamartia (tragic error that causes the protagonist's fall) as Sweeney when he is overflown by his own hatred and want for revenge and disregards the warning signs telling about his future fall. (And also the love of Padmé.) Sweeney Todd seems to completely misjudge the value of life and also misses the affections of his mate Mrs. Lovett (played by Bonham Carter). Nevertheless, his tragedy is somewhat different than Anakin's because at the end of the film you find that it's questionable whether it would have been a good idea to give in to the woman.

On this second thought, I think I tend to grow more and more to like your idea, Frank, that oftentimes there is a femme fatales in Burton's films -- as it seems to be the case in this film. -- But I don't want to "kill the punchline." :-)

All in all, watch the film and think for yourselves about it (but don't show it to your little sister:-)).