Edward Scissorhands
About the Film
Once upon a time, an inventor (Vincent Price) created a man with scissors instead of hands, called Edward (Johnny Depp). Since he died before finishing his creation, Edward remained alone in his mansion, until one day a door-to-door saleslady named Peg Boggs (Dianne Wiest) met him. Deeply touched by Edward’s situation, she brought him home with her, where he got to know her family and neighbourhood.
Everybody was impressed at first and, realising how kind he was, welcomed him into the community — even helping him start a business styling hedges and hair with his scissorhands. But not everyone accepted him. When Edward fell in love with Peg’s daughter Kim (Winona Ryder), and her boyfriend Jim (Anthony Michael Hall) took advantage of him, his new life began to fall apart.
Synopsis
by Brune Grenier
Trailer
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp plays Edward, a gentle, unfinished artificial man with blades for hands. It was Depp’s first of many collaborations with director Tim Burton, and the role that reshaped his career — trading his teen-idol image for a nearly wordless, deeply expressive performance built almost entirely on physicality and eyes.
Cast & Crew
Cast
Edward ScissorhandsJohnny Depp
Kim BoggsWinona Ryder
Peg BoggsDianne Wiest
JimAnthony Michael Hall
Joyce MonroeKathy Baker
The InventorVincent Price
Bill BoggsAlan Arkin
Kevin BoggsRobert Oliveri
HelenConchata Ferrell
MargeCaroline Aaron
Officer AllenDick Anthony Williams
EsmeraldaO-Lan Jones
TinkaSusan Blommaert
CissyLinda Perri
Crew
DirectorTim Burton
ScreenplayCaroline Thompson
StoryTim Burton & Caroline Thompson
ProducersDenise Di Novi, Tim Burton
MusicDanny Elfman
CinematographyStefan Czapsky
Production DesignBo Welch
Costume DesignColleen Atwood
EditorRichard Halsey
“You see, before he came down here, it never snowed. And afterwards, it did… I don’t know. But I think it’s him.”
— Kim, Edward Scissorhands
Filming Locations
- Tinsmith Circle, Lutz, Florida (the pastel suburb / exteriors)
- Land O’Lakes, Florida
- Dade City, Florida
- Wesley Chapel, Florida
- Southgate Shopping Center, Lakeland, Florida
- Stages 14–16, 20th Century Fox Studios, Los Angeles (interiors)
More about this film
Trivia
- The film grew out of a drawing Tim Burton made as a teenager in suburban Burbank — an image reflecting his own sense of isolation and difficulty connecting with people.
- Caroline Thompson wrote the screenplay (during pre-production on Beetlejuice) and described it as a “love poem” to Burton.
- Several A-list actors were considered for Edward — Tom Cruise reportedly wanted a happier ending — but Johnny Depp was Burton’s first choice despite studio hesitation.
- Edward’s prosthetic make-up and costume took about 1 hour 45 minutes to apply each day.
- Filming took place in the Tampa Bay area of Florida (Lutz and nearby) from March to July 1990, reportedly adding over $4 million to the local economy.
- It was the fourth film collaboration between Tim Burton and composer Danny Elfman, whose score used an orchestra of 79 musicians.
Awards
- 1991 Hugo Award — Best Dramatic Presentation Won
- 1991 BAFTA Award — Best Production Design (Bo Welch) Won
- 1991 Saturn Award — Best Fantasy Film Won
- 1991 Academy Award nomination — Best Makeup (Stan Winston, Ve Neill)
- 1991 Golden Globe nomination — Best Actor, Musical or Comedy (Johnny Depp)
- 1991 BAFTA nominations — Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Visual Effects
- 1991 Grammy nomination — Best Score Soundtrack (Danny Elfman)
DVD Easter Eggs
- 10th Anniversary Edition DVD: in the Extras menu, highlight “Concept Art”, press Down and select the scissors icon — it jumps to the credits menu.
