Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

Amazon.com essential video

Stephen Sondheim's Victorian horror thriller Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is generally considered his greatest work, macabre but darkly humorous with a viscerally powerful score that has found a home both on Broadway and in opera houses. George Hearn (who replaced Len Cariou of the original Broadway cast) plays the title character, a wronged man whose lust for revenge drives him to murder (an 18th-century legend who has been traced to a real-life barber), and Angela Lansbury plays his partner in crime, Mrs. Lovett, who finds a practical business use for Todd's victims. This combination of horror and humor is echoed in Sondheim's score: brooding menace ("The Ballad of Sweeney Todd," "My Friend"), achingly beautiful ballads ("Johanna," "Not While I'm Around"), clever puns ("A Little Priest"), coloratura arias ("Green Finch and Linnet Bird"), and intricate choral and ensemble numbers.

Continuing a fortuitous tradition of capturing the Sondheim legacy on video recordings, this performance was filmed before a live audience in Los Angeles during the 1982 national tour. Almost 20 years later, Hearn returned to the role opposite Patti LuPone in an acclaimed concert production. But Sweeney Todd is an especially compelling experience in this 1982 version, complete with the clever staging tricks (e.g., the barber's chair) and as close to the original cast as we're likely to see. --David Horiuchi

Description

Times are hard in 1846 London and one must make do. So Nellie Lovett adds something extra to the meat pies she peddles on Fleet Street. The secret ingredient: freshly murdered victims of her partner in crime, barber Sweeney Todd. Composer/lyricist Stephen Sondheim refashions a macabre tale into a musical masterwork in this dazzling performance of the 1979 Broadway hit originally staged by Harold Prince. In her Tony-winning role (one of eight the show earned, including Best Musical), Angela Lansbury plays Nellie. George Hearn turns his stage role of twisted Sweeney into an Emmy-winning triumph. The score coils around itself in ever-tightening spirals. The lines ripple with black humor and madness. Enter Sweeney's tonsorial parlor. Attend the tale.

Customer Reviews:

Sweeney Todd Rules!.......2007-08-31

This is one of my Favorite Shows! I had a nice breakfast while watching my newly purchased DVD. I was Quite Happy!

pefect perfect.......2007-07-05

this is my FAVORITE show ever and im so thankful that the original/much better version is now available!

Film record of the stage production.......2007-02-01

Halfway between movie and stage is the filming of a stage production. It is difficult to capture the intimacy and immediacy of theater on film, difficult to exercise the kind of control that film offers on stage. This is a filming of a live stage presentation. It looks reasonably good and sound quality seems fine. The major selling point is Angela Lansbury's fine performance as the demented Mrs. Lovett. It is a wonderful performance and considering how many wonderful performances on stage are lost forever, it is nice to see this one preserved. A lifetime of playing villainesses seems to free her to approach the part with utter abandon. The musical itself is excellent and beautifully done. The biggest concern I have is that with a price this high, the DVD clearly was made as cheaply as possible with a cheap cardboard container and absolutely no extras of any kind. I do not think that there is anything that would justify the cost and, while I am pleased to have the film, I am disgusted at the inordinately high price charged. It is a crime to make so little effort in simply reproducing a film whose costs were quite limited in the first place, packaging it as cheaply as possible and then charging top dollar for the final product. It is really shameful.

Sweeny Todd.......2007-01-28

Sweeney Todd is a wonderfully dark romp through broadway. It follows the story of Benjamin Barker, a barber who was jilted by the judge and beetle of old time London and soon seeks revenge. A wonderful performance by Angela Lansbury as Nellie Lovett and Len Cariou as Sweeny Todd.

The not-such-a-demon barber of fleet street.......2007-01-11

It is easy to see why Angela Lansbury won a Tony for this peformance. The sets, scenery and costumes are wonderful. The cast is quite effective, but at times it is very hard to distinguish some of the lyrics in the larger production numbers. A must see for anyone that is aware that Tim Burton is going to bring his own unique take on this story to life.

Average customer rating:

Trey Parker, South Park
Cannable: The Musical
brilliant goofiness
Let's be honest ...
Low Budget, great writing.

Cannibal! The Musical
Starring: Dian Bachar , Stephen Blackpool , Stan Brakhage , Dan Brother , and Duster
Manufacturer: TROMA ENTERTAINMENT INC.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00000K3TK
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Amazon.com

Alferd Packer was the only man in the United States ever convicted of cannibalism--what better hero for fellow Coloradan and future South Park creator Trey Parker to celebrate in music? Blue-eyed and boyish Parker was still in college when he wrote, directed, composed the songs for, and took the starring role as the innocent young Packer in this film, giving a gee- whiz performance as an ambitious pioneer who joins an ill-fated trek west that ends up stranded in the mountains. At times resembling a perverse community theater parody of Rodgers and Hammerstein ("My heart's as full as a baked po-ta-to!"), Parker bounces back and forth between cheery production numbers and goony songs ("Let's build a snowman," sings one starving-mad hiker) and grotesque gore (bloody body parts, festering sores, human hors d'oeuvres). It lacks in style and consistency and the juvenile gags and fart jokes wear thin over the course of a feature film, but Parker's sheer energy and inventiveness carry the overlong picture to a rousing conclusion. Regular Parker collaborators Matt Stone and Dian Bachar costar in this tuneful barbecue. --Sean Axmaker

Description

From the Makers of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, this is the musical that started it all! 3 Hours of bone chilling, flesh eating show-stopping hilarity! With vicious gore, laugh-inducing gags and rousing musical numbers such as "Snowman" and "Shpedoinkle Day," Cannibal! The Musical is the true story of the only person convicted of cannibalism in America - Alfred Packer. The sole survivor of an ill-fated trip to the Colorado Territory, while searching for gold and love, he and his companions lost their way and resorted to unthinkable horrors! Packer and his five wacky mining buddies sing and dance their ways into your heart...and then take a bite out of it! Cannibal! The Musical is Oklahoma meets Bloodsucking Freaks. Brought to you by the Troma Team and Trey Parker - the Rogers and Hammerstein of Horror!

Customer Reviews:

Trey Parker, South Park.......2007-06-27

Hilarious movie if you are a huge South Park fan and Trey Parker/Matt Stone fan like I am. this is the first movie they made after/or during college. It is an independent film so don't expect the highest quality. Very funny/ goofy movie, with Trey Parker and Matt Stone voices that are often heard on South Park episodes!

Cannable: The Musical.......2007-04-05

It has been over a month and I have YET to receive my movie!!!!!!!!!!!!

brilliant goofiness.......2006-10-30

For a film made by film students over their break in studies, this is brilliant. Low-budget effects, and editing notwithstanding, this film shows glimmers of the quick wit and cutting satire for which Matt & Trey are well known. Additionally, it highlights their predilection for a rousing good musical comedy. If you can get past the first scene, the movie is a hoot!

Let's be honest ..........2006-10-09

This is not a good film. I wanted to like it because I love South Park and I think that Trey Parker and Matt Stone are comedic geniuses. While it shows brief glimpses of some of their future brilliance, overall it's just not very funny. I think I laughed twice during the whole film. Watch it to see the South Park guys "before they were stars", but don't expect much.

Low Budget, great writing........2006-09-09

This is definatly a film that you need to enjoy, low budget B movies. the writing is great, you wont see all the jokes the first time. The commentary where the cast gets drunk while watching the movie and giving you inside tidbits is great too!

if you dont like Southpark, or other Trey and Matt movies, or low budget B movies... then this is not for you... if you like the two mentioned above.... youll love this DVD!!!

Average customer rating:

Not Captivating
Road to Bali
Forgettable
Slapstick with a Setting Reminiscent of Gilligan's Island
Road to Bali 1952

Road to Bali
Starring: Bing Crosby , Bob Hope , Dorothy Lamour , Murvyn Vye , and Peter Coe (III)
Director: Hal Walker
Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00004YS72
Release Date: 2000-11-21

Customer Reviews:

Not Captivating.......2007-04-08

I was predisposed to like this film, but was disappointed in the weakness of the plot and the hackneyed one-line put downs constantly exchanged between the two protangonists. It starts with the two vaudeville stars doing their routine on stage, while in the wings a girl is waiting with her dad for a "shotgun" style wedding for either of the two. They escape, leaving Australia looking for any kind of available employment. It turns out deep sea diving is the sole remaining option.

Princess Lala, who is half Scottish becomes the romantic target of both suitors. The indingenous people arrange a marriage ceremony whereby both men are going to marry her, although neither realize they are sharing a bride. This plan is destroyed by another authority on the island who wants to make her his latest bride to add to his collection. It's at this point that the plot breaks down and it seems they wanted to just end the script in the alloted time.

Cameo appearances by well-known movie stars of the era are interspersed. If you don't watch carefully you'll miss them however. The most creative part is the conclusion.

Road to Bali.......2007-03-16

Got it very fast and it is a great movie. Of course with old Blue eyes and Bob Hope. It had to be.

Forgettable.......2007-02-12

The plot was OK, but the songs were forgettable--almost painful--and the dancing was amateurish. I found myself fast forwarding through a lot. However, the comedic exchanges between Bing and Bob were fun.

Slapstick with a Setting Reminiscent of Gilligan's Island.......2007-01-17

Two comedians entertain us. While traveling, one sleeps below the train (risky!). When playing on bagpipes and in Scottish suits, they kick each other. There are other humorous scenes throughout this flick.

They land on a tropical island somewhere in the southern Pacific Ocean. Each one assumes that he will be the one to marry Princess Lalah. And, similar to the characters in Gilligan's Island, they have to deal with such things as wild beasts (in this case, the affections of a gorilla), natives and their poison darts, an angry volcano, and the imminent prospect of being beheaded. So who actually gets to marry Princess Lalah? I will not spoil the ending by revealing it.

Road to Bali 1952.......2006-04-19

Bob Hope (1903-2003) and Bing Crosby (1903-1977) and Dorothy Lamour (1914-1996) team up their Sixht "Road" picture . Road to Bali , which was the only film in the series to be shot in color . Hope and Crosby stars as two out-of-work vauville performers who are on the lam . The two are hired by a South seas prince as deep-sea divers in order to recover a buried treasure .They meet beautiful Princess Lala (Lamour) and vie for hear affections . Of course,the boy run into the usual perils such as cannibals , a big squid and nomerous cameos from some of Hollywoods biggest stars . Director Hal Walker (1896-1972) was no stranger to the three actors , having directed the trio in ( Road to Etopia 1946) . The final "Road" picture (Road to Hong Kong 1962), would be released 10 years later with Lamour only making a brief Cameo appereance . This Movie are a gem and the only edition transfer in high Quality , there is several released version , this is the best ,Highly recommended

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Non-musical Version)

Average customer rating:

(3.5 Stars) Todd Slaughter Is Sweeney Todd: Delightfully Melodramatic in Victorican Fashion
MMM-MMM Meat Pies!
Blast from the past
Villainy personified
Not the Musical

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (Non-musical Version)
Starring: Tod Slaughter , Stella Rho , John Singer , Eve Lister , and Bruce Seton
Director: George King
Manufacturer: Alpha Video
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0002W4U0W
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Product Description

Unsuspecting wealthy customers have their pockets picked and their throats slit in Sweeney Todd's barber chair. His accomplice, Mrs. Lovatt, grinds the victims into the meat pies she sells in her pastry shop. Meanwhile, the mad barber has a romantic eye o

Customer Reviews:

(3.5 Stars) Todd Slaughter Is Sweeney Todd: Delightfully Melodramatic in Victorican Fashion.......2007-02-14

The name of Sweeney Todd is, and will be, associated with Stephen Sondheim's great musical (and a Tim Burton film perhaps), but there once was another Todd, an underrated artist who played the role of this murderous barber like no one else could do. In fact, no actor can act like Todd Slaughter today, and even Sir Anthony Hopkins as Hannibal `Cannibal' Lector sitting at dinner table cannot beat Todd who gleefully hams it up, grinning like a true demon barber.

The basic premise of this British-made film (in 1936) is not much different from that of the Broadway musical. The barber `polishes up' his unsuspecting customers sitting in the ingeniously-made chair that drops the body into the basement. There Mrs. Lovatt awaits the poor victims who end up being meat pies made and sold by herself.

But of course this is not Sondheim. Though Sweeny Todd is romantically attracted to a young and beautiful girl Joanna, the film (directed by George King, who churned out numerous cheaply made thrillers during the 1930s and 40s) is nothing romantic. Except for the brief frame story at the beginning and ending, the film is a melodrama told in a purely Victorian fashion. If someone like Charles Dickens had directed a movie, it would have become something like "Sweeny Todd" with a terrified kid, the hero/heroine in disguise and comical moments before and after the suggested shocks. The story actually includes many plot devices you may find in Victorian novels, and even brief, unexciting scenes of the `natives' attacking the voyagers, most of which we rarely watch on screen today.

But the star of this real curio is Todd Slaughter, whose theatrical acting style is the exact opposite of the method actors'. His hammy performances as demon barber chuckling and cheerfully chattering about his `job' have a peculiarly attractive quality that only Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff could realize. Surely Todd Slaughter is Sweeny Todd, the Evil that is fun to watch, though uncomfortable to be with.

MMM-MMM Meat Pies!.......2004-12-24

Sweeney Todd (Tod Slaughter) and his accomplice Mrs. Lovatt have a strange business relationship. Todd brings the rich victims into his barbershop, where he throws the secret switch to his trick barber-chair, sending them into the basement for a throat-cutting and fleecing. Mrs. Lovatt then makes mince-meat out of the poor saps in her shop next door. Sort of an ancient forerunner to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, SWEENEY TODD is a perfectly gruesome little story. I especially like the new apprentice, Tobias, who goes next door for those tasty meat pies whenever his new master gets a new victim for his razor. Tobias is the eighth boy in eight weeks to fill the job. The other seven have all gone missing! It's a crime that this film has not gotten the notice it deserves. It's creepy, ghoulish, and humorous. Tod Slaughter is menacing, and no more silly in this than Bela is in DEVIL BAT for heaven's sake! Sheesh! Well worth owning...

Blast from the past.......2004-11-16

The movie is a hoot, but the picture quality is poor, and the audio is just awful. But the movie is so off the wall, it's worth the $6.99 just as a history lesson, as they certainly don't make them like this anymore!

Villainy personified.......2003-02-25

Sweeney Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (produced and directed by the great George King in 1936) features Tod Slaughter in one of his most famous roles. In my mind, no one ever played a villain more ably than Slaughter, and even though I don't consider this film to be his best work, he is marvelous nonetheless. Sweeney Todd is not your everyday barber, but as he gleefully says several times, he loves his work. He especially loves wealthy customers just disembarking from foreign lands. He puts them in his favorite chair, sends his apprentice next door for a meat pie, and then proceeds to "polish off" his customer. A surreptitious pull of a switch is all it takes to flip the chair over and dump the unsuspecting victim head first into the cellar. The meat pie seller next door is in cahoots with him and the dastardly pair split whatever money they find (though not 50-50 if Todd can help it). It is pretty much assumed that the dead bodies are disposed of, to some degree, in the meat pies sold next door, but this is not made explicit in the film (just as we never get to see Todd use his razor to finish off any victim who may not have been killed by his fall). Although Todd is making a lot of money, he wants more. He concocts a business deal with a ship owner that eventually puts him in the position of blackmailing the man's daughter to marry him (Tod Slaughter's characters always go for the ladies), and he even manages to get his rival for the girl's affections in his chair after the man returns home a rich man. Alas, Todd's brilliant villainy cannot last. The ending of the movie was a little bit disappointing to me because the heroes' plans of exposing Todd are really pretty foolish and seemingly of little use, and Todd's own actions at the end seem to defy logic.

This movie is really all about Tod Slaughter, whose remarkable performance more than makes up for some obvious weaknesses in the plot. Slaughter is, in my opinion, the benchmark by which all movie villains then and now should be judged. If you want to learn how to cackle with evil glee or wring your hands together greedily, just watch Tod Slaughter at work. I really loved the way Sweeney Todd told his customers he was going to "polish them off" just before sending them to their deaths. We see Todd's truly dark nature most clearly in his relationship with his new apprentice Tobias (his eighth apprentice in eight weeks, as the first seven have all disappeared mysteriously). His victims never see what's coming, but the poor child is terrorized by the evil barber. Todd, razor in hand, tells him how bad boys that see or say too much sometimes end up having their tongues cut out and other horrible things done to them. He is the perfect villain.

Tod Slaughter's melodramatic style of acting is different from what you will find in modern movies. Some may be inclined to laugh at his performance as he hams it up. This is actually part of the magic of his performance; he encourages you to laugh along with him all the way to hell. No one enjoys villainy as much as he does himself. If you want to see villainy personified, you simply must see Tod Slaughter's work, and there is no better introduction to his unique genius than Sweeny Todd - The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.

Not the Musical.......2002-12-01

To anyone thinking that this 'Sweeney Todd' will be anything like the musical, please think again - it's not, and couldn't be if it tried.

Average customer rating:

5 Stars for being so bad it's fun
so bad it's a classic

Big Meat Eater
Starring: George Dawson , Andrew Gillies , Clarence 'Big' Miller , Stephen Dimopoulos , and Georgina Hegedos
Director: Chris Windsor
Manufacturer: KOCH VISION
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0007LFPIE
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Product Description

A cult classic that horror film fans have clamored to see for many decades since its release, BIG MEAT EATER finally becomes readily available. The positively schizophrenic storyline initially follows a butcher who has unwittingly been turning his meat into radioactive waste by dumping it into a septic tank below his store. Meanwhile, the mayor of the town has been turned into a zombie by a homicidal killer who instructs him to butcher all of the townsfolk. The butcher enters into battle with the mad killer, and some passing aliens who have just landed on earth decide to help him out. A movie that only has one obvious antecedent--PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE--BIG MEAT EATER really has to be seen to be believed.

Format: DVD MOVIE

Customer Reviews:

5 Stars for being so bad it's fun.......2006-06-29

I couldn't believe my eyes (and ears, since this is a musical) when I first found this gem.
This film is quirky while pushing some stereotypes that may not
be fully PC. The musical numbers are catchy and fun. The plot ideas must be satirical since they are just too dumb to be serious. All in all it's a delightfully film on the very top of
of my bad film list.

so bad it's a classic.......2005-11-21

When I finally get around to mentioning "The Big Meat Eater", to people who are finally in my circle of movie friends (whom I number very few), I always say that it's the Canadian Rocky Horror. Strangely catchy musical numbers, very low budget special effects, and so many plots it should be 6 movies, a couple classic characters, this movie has it all. Bear in mind this was the 80's, but if you loved Repo-man, you should find something to smile (or groan) about in this slice of z grade cinema.

Cannibal! The Musical (UMD Mini For PSP)

Average customer rating:

Trey Parker, South Park
Cannable: The Musical
brilliant goofiness
Let's be honest ...
Low Budget, great writing.

Cannibal! The Musical (UMD Mini For PSP)
Starring: Trey Parker , Matt Stone , and Dian Bachar
Director: Trey Parker
Manufacturer: KOCH Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: UMD for PSP

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Accessories:

ASIN: B000E1NXGS
Release Date: 2006-03-07

Amazon.com

Customer Reviews:

Trey Parker, South Park.......2007-06-27

Cannable: The Musical.......2007-04-05

It has been over a month and I have YET to receive my movie!!!!!!!!!!!!

brilliant goofiness.......2006-10-30

Let's be honest ..........2006-10-09

Low Budget, great writing........2006-09-09

Average customer rating:

Not Captivating
Road to Bali
Forgettable
Slapstick with a Setting Reminiscent of Gilligan's Island
Road to Bali 1952

Road to Bali
Starring: Bing Crosby , Bob Hope , Dorothy Lamour , Murvyn Vye , and Peter Coe (III)
Director: Hal Walker
Manufacturer: Diamond Ent. Corp.
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005BI97
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Customer Reviews:

Not Captivating.......2007-04-08

Road to Bali.......2007-03-16

Got it very fast and it is a great movie. Of course with old Blue eyes and Bob Hope. It had to be.

Forgettable.......2007-02-12

Slapstick with a Setting Reminiscent of Gilligan's Island.......2007-01-17

Road to Bali 1952.......2006-04-19

Average customer rating:

Wonderful idiocy
Fun
I won't say much, all the 1 star reviewers said it for me
A Post-Apocalyptic, Spaghetti Western, Rock-N-Roll Samurai Film?
Strange, Fun, and Addicting

Six-String Samurai
Starring: Monti Ellison , Jeffrey Falcon , Stephane Gauger , Clifford Hugo , and Zuma Jay
Director: Lance Mungia
Manufacturer: Lions Gate
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B0000A1HRV
Release Date: 2003-08-26

Amazon.com

As a genre-buster, Six-String Samurai--just your average, run-of-the-mill postapocalyptic kung-fu-rock & roll road movie--has a lot going for it. The film takes place in a Soviet-ruled America (they nuked the U.S. in 1957; with the exception of Lost Vegas [sic] and the badlands around it, the country is a Soviet territory). It revolves around Buddy (Jeffrey Falcon, who bears a remarkable resemblance to Buddy Holly), a guitar-slinger-swordsman who's on his way to Vegas, where he plans to succeed the just-deceased Elvis as the King. Along the way, he picks up an orphaned preteen traveling companion, and the pair's quest leads them to confront various Mad Max-style pop-culture weirdos, the Red Army, and Death--a rival guitarist who looks suspiciously like Guns n' Roses' Slash.

Falcon's background is in Hong Kong cinema, and it shows in this made-on-a-shoestring production, filmed mostly in Palm Springs and Death Valley. (He certainly had enough opportunities to influence the production, since, besides playing the lead, Falcon pitched in as cowriter, coproducer, production designer, and costume designer on the film.) Despite the limited budget, the movie is generally entertaining, though it could probably stand to lose a couple of go-nowhere subplots that account for about 15 minutes of the 91-minute running time. --Randy Silver

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful idiocy.......2007-09-03

This is NOT a story to take seriously. This is simply a fun piece of what Ray Bradbury calls "sublime trash". This has no redeeming values, will teach you absolutely nothing and has no real moral, either. However, it is a fun and wonderful way to spend 90 minutes or so. It moves from one crisis to another quickly, is full of action and has all kinds of one liners. Personally, I loved it, but then, I have a sense of humor unlike some of the other reviewers.

Fun.......2007-02-01

This movie is not to be taken seriously. If you enjoyed Army of Darkness, than you will like Six String Samurai. It is an offbeat comedy that pretends to take itself seriously. It was honored at the Slamdance Awards (An award show for the "bad" movies). Indeed this film was so bad, it's good.
It is not an artsy or big-budget Hollywood movie. Most people might not enjoy it, but if you are willing you might actually laugh. Rent before you buy.

I won't say much, all the 1 star reviewers said it for me.......2006-10-26

This movie was recomended by a friend (who usually has impeccable taste) and it turned out to be the worst movie I have ever seen. I know it's a B movie and it's kind of a badge of honor to be a bad B movie but this movie is so bad it is unwatchable. Trust me, I get all the references. I listen to surf and rockabilly and like indie and samurai movies. The concept is brilliant and they could have gone so many ways with this movie. They didn't. Don't waste your time.

A Post-Apocalyptic, Spaghetti Western, Rock-N-Roll Samurai Film?.......2006-07-28

A post-apocalyptic, spaghetti western, rock-n-roll Samurai film? Yep. That pretty much sums up SIX-STRING SAMURAI. It's quirky. It's B-movie all the way. It's wonderful.

What we have here is a film shot on weekends on a minuscule budget in and around Death Valley, California. It also pays homage to many films; every Clint Eastwood spaghetti western ever made, Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome, Night of the Living Dead and, of course, The Wizard of Oz, just to name a few.

The movie was dubbed giving it a hokey spaghetti western feel that matched the production values perfectly (very low). "The Kid" in the film (Justin McGuire) was a carbon-copy of the mangy little guy that follows Mel Gibson around in Beyond Thunderdome. There's a family of cannibals and "The Windmillers" who represent the slow brain functions from Night of the Living Dead. And then there are the multiple references to The Wizard of Oz ("Just follow the yellow brick road").

The story's focus is on Buddy (Jeffrey Falcon), a six string carrying, Samurai sword wielding bad boy who wants to be the new "King" of "Lost Vegas." But first he has to get there. Traveling across the desert wasteland of the post-apocalyptic world, Buddy (who looks remarkably like Buddy Holly) has to slash, punch, and scratch his way toward The Emerald City (another Wizard of Oz reference that we see, Lost Vegas looking very much like the gateway to Oz's hometown). Along the way Buddy picks up "The Kid", a young boy who's mother was killed by humans resembling troglodytes. The Kid doesn't speak (initially) and only screams/moans whenever he wants Buddy's attention. But The Kid is good with mechanical objects (cars, motorcycles, bicycles) and the two form a grudging relationship as they travel together. The only issue between them is Buddy's priceless guitar which he nurtures more than The Kid ...in the beginning. But Buddy can play his six string as potently as he can don his sword, giving him a good shot at becoming the King of Lost Vegas.

On Buddy and The Kids' tail, however, is Death (represented as the four horseman of the apocalypse ...but without their horses). Death wants to be/remain the King and kills anyone who gets in his way, leaving a lot of rock-n-roll wannabes as corpses. And in front of Buddy and The Kid is the Russian Army (Oh! Did I forget to mention that the USSR took over the U.S. after it nuked us in 1957?)

After much bloodletting, Death and Buddy have their day on the sand. First comes a guitar duel (Death wields a wickedly good six string himself!), then the sword. But what will happen if Buddy wins? Can he be a true father-figure to The Kid? And what would happen to The Kid if Buddy died? Would Death take the little tike, too?

There are A LOT of well choreographed fight sequences (perhaps one or two too many). The camera work was done with an eye toward professionalism, never being herky-jerky or under -over exposed. The acting was okay. And the story was so ridiculous that suspending disbelief was quite fun. The dialogue often set the tone for the entire production, giving us some great bits like...

Death: "You have failed me for the last...hey, nice shoes." Then we watch Death kill the men wearing the shoes and walk away with new footwear.

The musical score is also pulled off well. The Red Elvises leant their music and themselves for the production (they are the ones with the nice shoes mentioned above). Their musical numbers reminded me very much of The Stray Cats (a band I liked).

If you don't mind low production standards but enjoy spoofs with a good, if somewhat ridiculous, script, then slip this little B-flick into your DVD player and bask in its foolishness. You won't be disappointed.

Strange, Fun, and Addicting.......2006-02-24

When I first heard about this movie from a friend, I thought -- B-Movie/Cult Film. But this movie is so much more than a Cult Film and doesn't have the gore of a B-Movie. The music is fantastic, the acting is great, and the premise -- although far-fetched -- is just wacky enough to get you addicted. This is a movie you'll want to watch over and over again. And if you want some great Ska-Punk-Rockabilly, I suggest you pick up the Soundtrack or buy some Red Elvis' albums.

Average customer rating:

Not Captivating
Road to Bali
Forgettable
Slapstick with a Setting Reminiscent of Gilligan's Island
Road to Bali 1952

Road to Bali
Starring: Bing Crosby , Bob Hope , Dorothy Lamour , Murvyn Vye , and Peter Coe (III)
Director: Hal Walker
Manufacturer: Madacy Records
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

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ASIN: B00005J756
Release Date: 2001-05-08

Customer Reviews:

Not Captivating.......2007-04-08

Road to Bali.......2007-03-16

Got it very fast and it is a great movie. Of course with old Blue eyes and Bob Hope. It had to be.

Forgettable.......2007-02-12

Slapstick with a Setting Reminiscent of Gilligan's Island.......2007-01-17

Road to Bali 1952.......2006-04-19

Average customer rating:

Why pay more?

Road to Bali
Starring: Michael Ansara , Leon Askin , Humphrey Bogart , Sue Casey , and Larry Chance
Director: Hal Walker
Manufacturer: Genius Entertainment
ProductGroup: DVD
Binding: DVD

General | Comedy | Genres | DVD | Video

Comedy | Kids & Family | Genres | DVD | Video