To seek revenge may lead to hell...

...but everyone does it, though seldom as well.

I don't really have a television, or to be more accurate, my television has neither an antenna, a cable connection, or a satellite hookup, so it was not until last night that I saw an ad for the Sweeney Todd movie.

We did Sweeney in high school - Stephen Sondheim's version from 1979, and I expect that the movie is based on this musical, though of course the story of Fleet Street's demon barber dates back at least to the late 1800s. In college I found a straight play version from - the 1920's, I think. It was wretched, with improbable language and no real reason given, or even speculated upon, for Sweeney's actions. I caught the Circle in the Square production in the 90s, though I missed last year's Broadway production.

For those unfamiliar with Sondheim, I should state here that he does not write ordinary musicals. There is no fluff here; this is not Anything Goes. There is real substance here, and the Sweeney is more thriller or horror than anything else. The back story, as I mentioned, is also compelling.

I'm also curious to see what Depp does with the role. Needless to say, I'll be seeing this movie, and I'll write more once I do.