20
EXT. EXCLUSIVE STREET — DAY
20
The music swells as Anthony emerges from the dark alley into
the bright sunlight. He makes his way along the sidewalk:
ANTHONY
I feel you, Johanna,
And one day I’ll steal you.
Till I’m with you then,
I’m with you there,
Sweetly buried in your yellow hair…
The soaring music continues as Anthony stops at a park across
the street from Turpin’s mansion, bravely gazing up at
Johanna’s window.
21
EXT. STREET LEADING TO ST. DUNSTAN’S MARKETPLACE — DAY
21
Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett are moving quickly, she
struggles to keep up with his long, loping stride. He carries
his razor case, she carries a shopping basket.
TODD
He’s here every Thursday?
MRS. LOVETT
Like clockwork. Eyetalian. All the
rage he is.
TODD
Not for long.
22
EXT. ST. DUNSTAN’S MARKETPLACE DAY
22
They round a corner and move into the bustling marketplace. A
steady mercantile hum as the cries of merchants and wandering
coster-mongers fill the air.
Todd and Mrs. Lovett move toward a hand-drawn caravan
dominating one corner of the marketplace. It is painted like
a Sicilian donkey cart and on its side a sign declaims:
“Signor Adolfo Pirelli — Haircutter to His Royal Majesty the
King of Naples.”
MRS. LOVETT
Oh Mr. T., do you really think you can
do it?
TODD
By tomorrow they’ll all be flocking to
me like sheep to be shorn–
He stops abruptly when he sees–
The Beadle casually strolling through the crowd. Todd is
transfixed, his ancient enemy so close.
MRS. LOVETT
(seeing the Beadle,
pulling his arm)
Come along now, dear, he might
recognize you–
TODD
I will do what I have vowed to do …
(he continues to glare at
the Beadle, his voice
low)
… Come closer, my friend, closer…
Then, TOBY — a 13-year-old boy, a bit small for his age,
malnourished and consumptively pale — emerges from Pirelli’s
caravan. He bangs on a tin drum, drawing customers.
A crowd begins to gather at the caravan as:
TOBY
Ladies and gentlemen!
May I have your attention, perlease?
Do you wake every morning in shame and despair
To discover your pillow is covered with hair
Wot ought not to be there?
Well, ladies and gentlemen,
From now on you can waken at ease.
You need never again have a worry or care,
I will show you a miracle marvelous rare,
Gentlemen, you are about to see something wot rose
from the dead!
(A woman gasps, he smiles
and wiggles a finger no)
On the top of my head.
He dramatically doffs his cap, revealing mountains of hair
which cascade to his shoulder.
TOBY
‘Twas Pirelli’s
Miracle Elixir,
That’s wot did the trick, sir,
True, sir, true.
Was it quick, sir?
Did it in a tick, sir?
Just like an elixir
Ought to do!
(To a Bald Man)
How about a bottle, mister?
Only costs a penny, guaranteed.
(Pours a drop on the bald
man’s head)
Does Pirelli’s
Stimulate the growth, sir?
You can have my oath, sir,
‘Tis unique.
(Applies the bald man’s
hand to the wet spot)
Rub a minute,
Stimulatin’, i’n it?
Soon you’ll have to thin it
Once a week!
More customers are stepping up and buying bottles.
Todd opens a bottle of the Elixir, takes a whiff. Disgusting.
He smiles to Mrs. Lovett, his plan falling into place.
TODD
(loudly, to Mrs. Lovett)
Pardon me, ma’am, what’s that awful stench?
MRS. LOVETT
Are we standing near an open trench?
TODD
(to a woman in the crowd)
Must be standing near an open trench!
The crowd responds to Todd and Mrs. Lovett, looking askance
and sniffing at the bottles. Toby nervously tries to distract
them:
TOBY
Buy Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir:
Anything wot’s slick, sir,
Soon sprouts curls.
Try Pirelli’s!
When they see how thick, sir,
You can have your pick, sir,
Of the girls!
Want to buy a bottle, missus?
TODD
(sniffing bottle of
Elixir)
What is this?
MRS. LOVETT
(sniffing another
customer’s bottle)
What is this?
TODD
Smells like piss.
MRS. LOVETT
Smells like — phew!
TODD
This is piss. Piss with ink.
The music speeds up — Toby is getting desperate:
TOBY
Let Pirelli’s
Activate your roots, sir–
TODD
Keep it off your boots, sir–
Eats right through.
TOBY
Yes, get Pirelli’s!
Use a bottle of it!
Ladies seem to love it–
MRS. LOVETT
Flies do too!
Suddenly, the curtains on the caravan are dramatically flung
wide to reveal–
PIRELLI, a flamboyant Italian with a velvet suit, thick wavy
hair and a dazzling smile. Pirelli poses splendidly for a
moment. Then:
PIRELLI
I am Adolfo Pirelli,
Da king of da barbers, da barber of kings,
E buon giorno, good day,
I blow you a kiss!
(he does so)
And I, da so-famous Pirelli,
I wish-a to know-a
Who has-a da nerve-a to say
My elixir is piss!
Who says this?!
TODD
I do.
(Todd moves forward
boldly.)
I am Mr. Sweeney Todd of Fleet Street.
I have opened a bottle of Pirelli’s
elixir, and I say to you that it is
nothing but an arrant fraud, concocted
from piss and ink.
The crowd gasps. Pirelli is about to respond, outraged, but
Todd continues–
TODD
And furthermore — “signor” — I have
serviced no kings, yet I wager I can
shave a cheek with ten times more
dexterity that any street mountebank.
He snaps open his razor case and holds it up for the crowd to
see, turning to display the wondrous razors:
TODD
You see these razors?
MRS. LOVETT
(to the crowd)
The finest in England.
TODD
(glaring at Pirelli)
I lay them against five pounds you are
no match for me. You hear me, sir?
Either accept my challenge or reveal
yourself as a sham.
MRS. LOVETT
Bravo, bravo.
The crowd is enjoying this now, whispering eagerly about the
bold challenge. In the crowd, we see a quick flash of the
meek TOURIST we saw earlier.
Pirelli studies the razors for a moment and then turns to the
crowd with a confident smile:
PIRELLI
You hear zis foolish man? Watch and
see how he will regret his folly!
Music begins as Todd moves into action, preparing the
challenge:
TODD
Friends, who’s for a free shave?
Two men step forward. A plain wooden chair is brought for
Todd as he moves into the boldest part of this plan…
He carefully turns to … The Beadle.
TODD
Will Beadle Bamford be the judge?
Mrs. Lovett’s eyes shoot to Todd, alarmed–
The Beadle moves toward Todd ….
Todd smiles amiably, but quivers internally at being so
dreadfully close to his prey…
Mrs. Lovett watches, concerned. Will the Beadle recognize the
features of Benjamin Barker…?
Apparently not.
The Beadle stops right before Todd and smiles.
BEADLE
Glad, as always, to oblige my friends
and neighbors
(to the crowd)
… Let the challenge commence!
One man sits in Todd’s plain chair as the other moves to an
elaborate chair on Pirelli’s caravan. Pirelli shakes out a
fancy bib with a flourish and covers his man. Toby prepares
Pirelli’s ornate shaving supplies as Todd takes a plain towel
and tucks it around his man’s neck.
BEADLE
Ready?
PIRELLI
Ready!
TODD
Ready.
BEADLE
The fastest, smoothest shave is the
winner.
He blows his shrill whistle. Agitated music begins.
Pirelli strops his razor quickly, Todd in a leisurely manner.
Pirelli keeps glancing at Todd in various paranoid ways
throughout, frightened of Todd’s progress. He starts whipping
up lather rapidly:
PIRELLI
(while mixing furiously)
Now, signorini, signori,
We mix-a da lather
But first-a you gather
Around, signorini, signori,
You looking a man
Who have had-a da glory
To shave-a da Pope.
Mr. Sweeney-so-smart–
(Splatters the customer
with shaving cream)
Oh, I beg-a you pardon — ‘ll
Call me a lie, was-a only a cardinal–
Nope!
It was-a da Pope!
Unexpectedly, Todd still shows no signs of starting to shave
his man. He merely watches Pirelli’s performance. Mrs. Lovett
looks at him nervously, wishing he would get on with it.
Pirelli, now feeling he can take his time, sings lyrically as
he lathers and shaves with rhythmic scrapes and elaborate
gestures of wiping the razor.
PIRELLI
To shave-a da face,
To cut-a da hair,
Require da grace
Require da flair,
For if-a you slip,
You nick da skin,
You clip-a da chin,
You rip-a da lip a bit
Beyond-a repair!
Todd strops his razor slowly and deliberately — shoop,
shoop, shoop — disconcerting Pirelli and drawing the crowd’s
attention.
PIRELLI
To shave-a da face
Or even a part
Widout it-a smart
Require da heart.
Not just-a da flash,
It take-a panache,
It take-a da passion
For da art.
Todd is unconcerned. He just continues to slowly strop his
razor — shoop, shoop, shoop — which flusters Pirelli.
PIRELLI
To shave-a da face,
To trim-a da beard,
To make-a da bristle
Clean like a whistle,
Dis is from early infancy
Da talent give to me
By God!
(Crosses himself with his
razor)
It take-a da skill,
It take-a da brains,
It take-a da will
To take-a da pains,
It take-a da pace,
It take-a da graaaaaace…
While Pirelli holds this note elaborately, Todd, with a few
deft strokes, quickly lathers his man’s face, shaves him and
signals the Beadle to examine him.
BEADLE
(blowing whistle)
The winner is Todd.
Pirelli deflates.
MRS. LOVETT
(feeling the customer’s
cheek)
Smooth as a baby’s arse! — (to Todd) –
– Well done, dear!
The crowd laughs and applauds Todd as Pirelli goes to him:
PIRELLI
(a profound bow)
Sir, I bow to a skill far defter than
my own.
TODD
The five pounds.
Pirelli produces a distinctive chatelaine purse and removes a
five pound note, gives it to Todd:
PIRELLI
Here, sir. And may the good Lord smile
on you —
(a quick stab of a smile)
— Until we meet again.
He bows his head quickly and then moves away, beckoning to
Toby:
PIRELLI
Come, boy.
TOBY
We’re pulling out, sir?
Without warning, Pirelli SLAPS Toby viciously across the face
–Toby almost falls–
PIRELLI
(snarling)
We’re pulling out, yes. Quickly.
Mrs. Lovett has observed all of this as she moves away with
Todd, who is making his way inexorably toward the Beadle.
Some eager customers surround Todd, among them is the
TOURIST.
EAGER CUSTOMER
Mr. Todd, sir, do you have an
establishment of your own?
Mrs. Lovett is on him like a hawk:
MRS. LOVETT
He certainly does. Sweeney Todd’s
Tonsorial Parlor — above my meatpie
emporium in Fleet Street.
Todd has led them right to the Beadle:
TODD
I thank you for your honest
adjudication, sir. You are a paragon
of integrity.
BEADLE
Well, I try to do my best for my
friends and neighbors … Your
establishment is in Fleet Street, you
say?
TODD
Yes, sir.
BEADLE
Then, Mr. Todd, you will surely see me
there before the week is out.
TODD
You will be welcome, Beadle Bamford,
and I guarantee to give you, without a
penny’s charge, the closest shave you
will ever know.
Todd and Mrs. Lovett are walking away from the marketplace.
She chatters happily:
MRS. LOVETT
… Like to give me a coronary right
there! What if he had recognized you!
Lord, my heart was beating a mile a
minute, just like a little finch it
was. Aren’t those lovely birds now?
Always so twittery and happy…
She continues chattering…
But Todd is not listening.
His eyes dart to the side to see–
The Gentleman is walking next to him, whispering, subtle,
insinuating…
GENTLEMAN
Sweeney pondered and Sweeney planned.
Like a perfect machine ‘e planned…
The Banker moves in next to the Gentleman…
BANKER
Barbing the hook, baiting the trap,
Setting it out for the Beadle to snap…
The General joins them…
GENERAL
Slyly courted ‘im, Sweeney did,
Set a sort of a scene ‘e did…
GENTLEMAN, BANKER AND
GENERAL
Laying the trail, showing the traces,
Letting it lead to higher places…
Sweeney…
The last word echoes … And then they are gone …
disappearing from Todd’s mind … swallowed up by the crowd
of pedestrians…
Todd looks to Mrs. Lovett and she continues chattering:
MRS. LOVETT
… Suppose it’s just me gentle heart,
but I do hate to see a boy treated
like that, no better than your Aunt
Doreen’s dog — Mr. Todd, are you
listening to me?
TODD
Of course.
But then his eyes dart again — looking for the specters. He
only sees strangers.
24
INT. JOHANNA’S ROOM — MORNING
24
Johanna sits, framed by the window, quietly cutting out
silhouettes. Aimless Victorian handicrafts.
But we see there are tears in her eyes.
She steals a glance across the room. We see a small hole in
the wallpaper. Through this hole, the Judge is watching her
from another chamber. Lascivious. Perverse.
Johanna finally stands and casually glances out from between
the shutters at her window. She sees…
Anthony, standing at the park across the street, keeping up
his lonely vigil, gazing up at the mansion.
She watches him for a moment and then makes her decision. She
moves to a table and opens a drawer. Reaches in and removes
something…
25
EXT. TURPIN’S MANSION — MORNING
25
Anthony sees a figure at the shutters — then hears a
clinking sound. Metal on pavement.
He quickly moves across the street and looks…
A key, dropped from above.
He looks up to the shutters and smiles, then snatches up the
key and hurries off.
26
INT. JOHANNA’S ROOM — MORNING
26
Peering through the shutters, Johanna watches him go.
We linger on her face and then dissolve to another face, also
watching…
… Her father.
Todd’s face, staring out the window, intense and brooding.
Seething with discontent.
Mrs. Lovett chatters as she moves around behind him:
MRS. LOVETT
… It’s not much of a chair, I’ll
grant, but it’ll serve. Was me poor
Albert’s chair. Sat in it all day long
he did, after his leg give out from
the gout, poor dear.
He moves from the window and paces like a caged tiger in the
small barber shop.
Though it has been cleaned, it is still a spartan room. A
tatty parlor chair. A large chest. A few counters with meager
bottles of tonsorial supplies. And his gleaming razors,
always waiting.
TODD
Why doesn’t the Beadle come? “Before
the week is out,” that’s what he said.
MRS. LOVETT
And who says the week’s out? It’s only
Tuesday.
Todd moves away from her, she pursues, trying to calm and
soothe him…
MRS. LOVETT
Easy now.
Hush, love, hush.
Don’t distress yourself,
What’s your rush?
Keep your thoughts
Nice and lush.
Wait.
(he continues to pace)
Hush, love, hush.
Think it through.
Once it bubbles,
Then what’s to do?
Watch it close.
Let it brew.
Wait.
He does not respond. She dares to move closer…
MRS. LOVETT
I’ve been thinking, flowers–
Maybe daisies–
To brighten up the room.
Don’t you think some flowers,
Pretty daisies,
Might relieve the gloom?
Ah, wait, love, wait.
Todd sourly tosses himself into the chair, he picks up his
largest razor and looks at it intensely:
TODD
(to razor)
And the Judge? When will we get to
him?
MRS. LOVETT
Can’t you think of nothing else?
Always broodin’ away on yer wrongs
what happened heaven knows how many
years ago…
Don’t you know,
Silly man,
Half the fun is to
Plan the plan?
All good things come to
Those who can
Wait.
Her gentle words have calmed him considerably. She moves even
closer. Risks touching him softly…
MRS. LOVETT
Gillyflowers, maybe,
`Stead of daisies…
I don’t know, though…
What do you think?
Then Todd tilts the razor in his hand–
SUDDENLY — the face of the GENTLEMAN — a flash — reflected
in the razor–
Then–
A bell rings from outside the shop — the effect is electric
— Todd bolts up, senses alert — Mrs. Lovett spins to the
door–
Todd holds his razor open as he moves strategically toward
the door–
We hear footsteps ascending the stairs outside quickly–
Then–
Anthony enters, breathless–
ANTHONY
Mr. Todd! Thank God I’ve found you —
(Todd turns, closing the
razor, as Anthony sees
Mrs. Lovett)
… Oh, I’m sorry, excuse me…
MRS. LOVETT
Mrs. Lovett, sir.
ANTHONY
A pleasure, ma’am —
(continues to Todd)
— You see, there’s a girl who needs
my help — such a sad girl, and
lonely, but beautiful too and–
TODD
Slow down, Anthony.
ANTHONY
(takes a breath)
Yes, I’m sorry … This girl has a
guardian so tyrannical that he keeps
her locked away. But then this morning
she dropped this …
(produces the key)
… It must be a sign that Johanna
wants me to help her — that’s her
name, Johanna — and Turpin that of
her guardian. A judge of some sort…
Todd and Mrs. Lovett exchange a quick glance as Anthony
continues:
ANTHONY
… I’ve met him, Mr. Todd, and he is –
– unnatural … Once he goes to court,
I’m going to slip into the house and
release her — and beg her to come
away with me. Tonight.
MRS. LOVETT
Oh, this is all terribly romantic.
ANTHONY
Yes, but — you see — I don’t know
anyone in London —
(to Todd)
— and I need somewhere safe to bring
her till I’ve hired a coach to take us
to Plymouth.
He looks at Todd deeply:
ANTHONY
If I could keep her here, just for an
hour or two, I would forever be in
your debt.
Todd stares at him, his mind racing to figure out how this
new twist might aid in his plans.
It is Mrs. Lovett who smoothly replies:
MRS. LOVETT
Bring her here, dear.
ANTHONY
Thank you, ma’am …
(to Todd)
… Mr. Todd?
A beat.
TODD
The girl may come.
ANTHONY
(taking his hand)
Thank you, my friend.
He goes.
MRS. LOVETT
Seems like the fates are favoring you
at last, Mr. T.
(Todd grunts, unhappy)
What is it, love? You’ll have her back
before the day is out.
TODD
For a few hours? Before he carries her
off to the other end of England?
MRS. LOVETT
Oh, him? Let him bring her here and
then, since you’re so hot for a little
— (makes a throat-cutting
gesture)
— that’s the throat to slit, dear.
Todd moves again to his post at the window, he stares out,
deep in thought.
Meanwhile, she happily moves around the shop, straightening
things up and trying to make it all a bit more cozy:
MRS. LOVETT
Poor little Johanna. All those years
without a scrap of motherly affection.
Well, we’ll soon see to that…
TODD
(alert, sees something)
What’s this?
Mrs. Lovett joins him at the window. Below, they see Pirelli
approaching with Toby in tow.
MRS. LOVETT
Look at that face, he’s up to
mischief.
TODD
Go — keep the boy below with you.
She nods and scurries out. We go with her…
28
EXT. PIE SHOP — DAY
28
… Mrs. Lovett quickly moves down the steps outside the
barber shop to greet Pirelli and Toby as they are about to
ascend.
We see a new sign on the stairs: “Sweeney Todd’s Tonsorial
Parlor.”
PIRELLI
Signora, is Mr. Todd at home?
MRS. LOVETT
Plying his trade upstairs, don’tcher
know …
(she stands on the
staircase, blocking their
way, looking at Toby)
(MORE)
MRS. LOVETT (cont’d)
… Would you look at it, now! Don’t
look like it’s had a kind word since
half past never!
TOBY
Ma’am…?
MRS. LOVETT
(to Pirelli)
You wouldn’t mind if I gave him a nice
juicy meat pie, would yer?
PIRELLI
(impatient)
Yes, yes, whatever you like.
Pirelli climbs the stairs, as she takes Toby by the hand and
leads him toward the pie shop door:
MRS. LOVETT
Come with me now. Your teeth is
strong, I hope?
They go into the pie shop.
29
INT. BARBER SHOP — DAY
29
Todd is standing, arms folded. Waiting. Pirelli enters.
PIRELLI
Mr. Todd.
TODD
Signor Pirelli.
PIRELLI
(reverting to his natural
Irish)
Call me Danny. Daniel Higgins’ the
name when it’s not professional …
I’d like me five quid back, if’n ya
don’t mind.
TODD
Why?
PIRELLI
Because you entered into our little
wager on false pretenses, me friend
… And so you might remember to be
more forthright in the future, you’ll
be handing over half your profits to
me, share and share alike…
Todd shakes his head, amused, and begins to turn away when
Pirelli says:
PIRELLI
… Mr. Benjamin Barker.
Todd freezes.
30
INT. PIE SHOP — DAY
30
Mrs. Lovett hands Toby one of her grisly pies, he devours
eagerly.
MRS. LOVETT
That’s my boy, tuck in.
But her attention is almost entirely on the roof above …
the muffled voices …. the sound of shoes walking…
Her eyes keep darting up as she chatters distractedly with
Toby:
MRS. LOVETT
Like to see a man with a healthy
appetite. Reminds me of my dear
Albert, like to gorge himself to
bloatation, he did. He didn’t have
your nice full head though–
TOBY
To tell the truth —
(he pulls off the wig
which covers his own
short-cropped hair)
— it gets awful hot.
31
INT. BARBER SHOP — DAY
31
Pirelli is expansively strolling around the shop, taking it
all in, savoring every second:
PIRELLI
… yes, this will do very nicely …
You don’t remember me. Well, why
should you? I was just a down and out
Irish pug you hired for a couple of
weeks — sweeping up hair and the like
—
(He picks up one of Todd’s
razors)
But I remember these — And how could
I ever forget you, Benjamin Barker?
(MORE)
PIRELLI (cont’d)
I would sit right there and watch you,
and dream of the day I could be a
proper barber meself … You might say
you were an inspiration to me.
Todd glares at him.
PIRELLI
So, do we have a deal, or should I run
down the street for me pal Beadle
Bamford? What do you say to that now,
Mr. Sweeney T–?
Without a word of warning–
Like a thunderbolt–
Todd is on him.
He leaps across the shop and brutally grabs Pirelli by the
neck — violently strangling him — Pirelli is surprisingly
strong and puts up a desperate struggle — they thump
awkwardly around the shop–
32
INT. PIE SHOP — DAY
32
Mrs. Lovett hears the muffled sounds of the struggle above.
She nervously begins to shift and clang some things around as
she cleans the counter, trying to cover the sound,
chattering:
MRS. LOVETT
My my my, always work to be done. Spic-
and-span, that’s my motto. Cleanliness
is next to whatever-it-is. So, ah, how
did you end up with that dreadful
Eyetalian?
TOBY
(still eating happily)
Got me from the workhouse ‘e did. Been
there since I was born. Got no mum,
got nobody. A wasted soul, that’s what
I am —
(a sudden, urgent thought)
— Oh God! He’s got an appointment
with his tailor–
He bolts up, clearly terrified of Pirelli–
TOBY
If he’s late, he’ll blame me–!
MRS. LOVETT
Wait–!
But he is gone–
33
EXT. PIE SHOP — DAY
33
Toby vaults up the stairs to the barber shop–
34
INT. BARBER SHOP — DAY
34
Todd is standing calmly when Toby bursts in–
TOBY
Signor, you got an appointment…
He stops when he realizes Pirelli is nowhere to be seen.
TODD
Signor Pirelli has been called away.
You better run after him.
TOBY
Oh no, sir. I better wait for him here
or it’ll be a lashing. He’s a great
one for the lashings.
He moves past Todd to the large chest and sits–
Only now do we see one of Pirelli’s hands protruding from the
chest, dangling limply.
Toby doesn’t notice it. Todd at this moment, however, does.
He smiles nervously.
TODD
So, hmmm, Mrs. Lovett gave you a pie,
did she?
TOBY
She’s a real lady. Model of all true
Christian virtue.
Then Pirelli’s hand … twitches.
Toby doesn’t notice. Todd does, stares at it anxiously.
TODD
That she is … that she is. But if I
know a growing boy, there’s still room
for some more pie, eh?
TOBY
I’d say, sir — (pats his stomach) —
An aching void.
Pirelli’s hand begins to twitch more desperately now,
perilously close to where Toby’s hand rests…
TODD
Then why don’t you run downstairs and
wait for your master there? There’ll
be another pie in it for you, I’m
sure…
Pirelli’s hand is twitching closer to Toby’s now…
TOBY
No, I should stay here.
TODD
(a sudden inspiration)
I know — why don’t you tell Mrs.
Lovett I said to give you a nice big
tot of gin?
TOBY
(leaps up)
Gin, sir?! Thanking you kindly, sir!
You’re a Christian indeed!
He races out happily and clatters down the stairs.
A beat as Todd gets his breath.
Then he goes to the trunk, leans down to open it, the camera
follows him down and up again, when he rises–
The GENTLEMAN is standing right behind him!
Todd turns.
The Gentleman’s face is completely impassive. He is not
spectral. He does not disappear. He just stands there.
Todd looks at him.
Then the Gentleman’s eyes slowly move to a counter…
Todd follows his look to see…
His largest razor.
A long beat as Todd looks at the razor.
The point of no return.
Todd strides to the razor and he snaps it open with a sharp,
quick flick of his wrist–
Then he moves to the chest and–
With great ferocity he hauls Pirelli up–
Pirelli’s eyes snap open–
And Todd SLASHES his throat–
The piercing factory whistle SCREAMS–
Todd remains standing over Pirelli as the painful whistle
echoes into music…
We see that the Gentleman is still standing there, watching
Todd…
GENTLEMAN
His hands were quick, his fingers strong.
It stung a little but not for long.
The dashing Oxford Student is now leaning against a wall,
arms folded, looking at Todd…
STUDENT
And those who thought him a simple clod
Were soon reconsidering under the sod…
The Tourist stands by the window…
TOURIST
Consigned there with a friendly prod
From Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
GENTLEMAN, STUDENT AND
TOURIST
See your razor gleam, Sweeney,
Feel how well it fits
As it floats across the throats
Of hypocrites.
The last word echoes to silence as we cut to:
A high-angle shot of the room.
The ghosts are gone.
Todd stands alone over Pirelli’s body. Blood dripping from
his razor. Drip. Drip. Drip.
Judge Turpin lurks over the proceedings.
He sits, the personification of power, very high at the
bench. He glares down a wasted wretch of a BOY. The Beadle
stands next to the boy.
JUDGE
This is the second time, sir, that you
have been brought before this bench.
Though it is my earnest wish to ever
temper justice with mercy, your
persistent dedication to a life of
crime is an abomination before God and
man.
He places a black cloth on his head:
JUDGE
I therefore sentence you to hang by
the neck until you are dead and may
the Lord have mercy on your soul.
The wretched boy collapses in sobs. The Beadle is pleased
with the verdict.
The Judge removes the black cloth and tosses it casually on
his desk:
JUDGE
This court is adjourned.
36
EXT. — STREET — OUTSIDE THE OLD BAILEY — DAY
36
The Judge and the Beadle walk away from the impressive
edifices of the Old Bailey.
BEADLE
Thank you, your Honor. Just the
sentence we wanted.
JUDGE
Was he guilty?
BEADLE
Well, if he didn’t do it, he’s surely
done something to warrant a hanging.
JUDGE
(quietly)
What man has not?
BEADLE
Sir?
JUDGE
No matter — Come, walk home with me.
I have news for you, my friend. In
order to shield her from the evils of
this world, I have decided to marry my
dear Johanna.
BEADLE
Ah, sir, happy news indeed.
JUDGE
Strange, though, when I offered myself
to her she showed a certain …
reluctance.
The Beadle proceeds with exquisite and obsequious delicacy:
BEADLE
Excuse me, my lord,
May I request, my lord,
Permission, my lord, to speak?
Forgive me if I suggest, my lord,
You’re looking less than your best, my lord,
There’s powder upon your vest, my lord.
And stubble upon your cheek,
And ladies, my lord, are weak.
As they round a corner, the Judge feels his chin:
JUDGE
Stubble, you say? Perhaps at times I
am a little overhasty with my morning
ablutions…
BEADLE
(cheerily)
Fret not though, my lord,
I know a place, my lord,
A barber, my lord, of skill.
Thus armed with a shaven face, my lord,
Some eau de cologne to brace my lord
And musk to enhance the chase, my lord,
You’ll dazzle the girl until
She bows to your every will.
JUDGE
A barber, eh? Take me to him.
BEADLE
I am honored, my lord. His name is
Todd … Sweeney Todd. And he is the
very last word in barberin’.
They head off.
37
INT. PIE SHOP — DAY
37
Mrs. Lovett is pouring Toby a glass of gin, not his first.
He gulps down the gin between ravenous bites of another meat
pie as she nervously glances up to the ceiling, wondering
what the hell is going on up there.
MRS. LOVETT
You ought to slow down a bit, lad.
It’ll go to your head.
TOBY
Weaned on the stuff, I was. They used
to give it to us at the workhouse,
so’s we could sleep. Not that you’d
ever want to sleep in that place,
ma’am. Not with the things wot happen
in the dark.
MRS. LOVETT
That’s nice, dear … I think I’ll
just pop in on Mr. Todd for a tick.
You’ll be all right here?
TOBY
Leave the bottle.
She goes.
38
INT. BARBER SHOP — DAY
38
Mrs. Lovett enters. Todd is methodically cleaning his razor.
MRS. LOVETT
Gawd, the lad is drinking me out of
house and home, how long until Pirelli
gets back?
TODD
He won’t be back.
MRS. LOVETT
(instantly suspicious)
Mr. T., you didn’t!
He casually points the razor toward the chest.
She lifts the lid and sees Pirelli’s body at the bottom of
the chest.
MRS. LOVETT
(spinning on Todd)
You’re barking mad! Killing a man wot
done you no harm!
TODD
He recognized me from the old days. He
tried to blackmail me — half my
earnings.
MRS. LOVETT
(relieved)
Oh well, that’s a different matter!
For a moment there I thought you’d
lost your marbles!
She looks into the chest again.
MRS. LOVETT
Ooooh! All that blood! Enough to make
you come all over gooseflesh, ain’t
it? Poor bugger. Oh, well.
She starts to close the chest, then has an idea.
She reaches in and rummages around the body. Pulls out
Pirelli’s chatelaine purse, then drops the lid of the chest.
MRS. LOVETT
(looking through purse)
Three quid! Well, waste not, want not,
I always say…
(she tucks the purse into
her dress)
… Now what are we going to do about
the boy?
TODD
Send him up.
She stops, looks at him.
MRS. LOVETT
Oh, we don’t need to worry about him,
he’s a simple thing. I’ll pawn him off
with some story.
TODD
(cold)
Send him up, woman.
MRS. LOVETT
(quickly)
Now, Mr. T., surely one’s enough for
today. Don’t want to indulge yourself,
after all …
(she busily starts to
straighten up the room)
… ‘Sides, I was thinking about
hiring a lad to help around the shop,
me poor knees not being what they used
to be.
Todd sighs and moves to his familiar post at the window:
TODD
Anything you say.
MRS. LOVETT
‘Course we’ll have to stock up on the
gin, the boy drinks like a Barbary
sailor–
Todd suddenly gasps — a great, shocking intake of breath as
his whole body tenses like iron–
Mrs. Lovett spins to him–
TODD
The Judge.
Mrs. Lovett hurries to the window–
Below, they can see the Judge and the Beadle approaching.
They see them exchanging a few words and then the Beadle
moves off as the Judge approaches the shop–
Todd whispers, his eyes blazing:
TODD
Justice … Justice.
Mrs. Lovett gives him a quick kiss and then very quickly
leaves. A beat as Todd prepares himself.
He turns from the window and looks around the shop, shifting
nervously. Now that his great moment of revenge is at hand,
he doesn’t quite know what to do with himself.
He snatches up his large razor, coils by the door, ready to
attack. No. He wants to savor this. He quickly moves and puts
the razor down.
Finally he just stands. All his demons settling into a
bizarre sort of calm.
He hears the Judge’s footsteps approaching on the stairs.
Then the Judge enters.
JUDGE
Mr. Todd?
Todd slowly turns:
TODD
At your service … An honor to
receive your patronage, my lord.
JUDGE
You know me, sir?
TODD
(a polite bow)
Who in this wide world is not familiar
with the honored Judge Turpin?
The Judge grunts and glances around the shop:
JUDGE
These premises are hardly
prepossessing and yet the Beadle tells
me you are the most accomplished of
all the barbers in the city.
TODD
That is gracious of him, sir …
(indicates for the Judge
to sit)
… Sit, if you please, sir. Sit.
The Judge settles into the parlor chair as music begins…
TODD
And what may I do for you today, sir?
A stylish trimming of the hair? A
soothing skin massage?
JUDGE
You see, sir, a man infatuate with love,
Her ardent and eager slave.
So fetch the pomade and pumice stone
And lend me a more seductive tone,
A sprinkling perhaps of French cologne,
But first, sir, I think — a shave.
TODD
The closest I ever gave.
He whips a sheet over the Judge, then tucks the bib in. The
Judge hums, flicking imaginary dust off the sheet; Todd
whistles gaily.
JUDGE
You’re in a merry mood today, Mr.
Todd.
TODD
(mixing lather)
‘Tis your delight, sir, catching fire
From one man to the next.
JUDGE
‘Tis true, sir, love can still inspire
The blood to pound, the heart leap higher.
BOTH
What more, what more can man require–
JUDGE
Than love, sir?
TODD
More than love, sir.
JUDGE
What, sir?
TODD
Women.
JUDGE
Ah yes, women.
TODD
Pretty women.
The Judge hums jauntily, Todd whistles and starts stropping
his razor rhythmically. He then lathers the Judge’s face.
Still whistling, Todd stands back to survey the Judge, who is
now totally relaxed, eyes closed.
Todd goes to his razor and picks it up, sings to it gently:
TODD
Now then, my friend.
Now to your purpose.
Patience, enjoy it.
Revenge can’t be taken in haste.
JUDGE
(opening his eyes)
Make haste, and if we wed,
You’ll be commended, sir.
TODD
My lord…
(Goes to him)
And who, may it be said,
Is your intended, sir?
JUDGE
My ward.
A shocked tremor through Todd — as the Judge closes his eyes
again and settles in comfortably…
JUDGE
And pretty as a rosebud.
The music rises…
TODD
Pretty as her mother?
JUDGE
(mildly puzzled)
What? What was that?
TODD
Oh, nothing, sir. Nothing. May we
proceed?
The music builds as he steps behind the Judge– his razor
ready — we are sure the great moment has come — the music
still builds — Todd finally puts the razor at the Judge’s
throat–
Then–
With an easy flick of his wrist, he just begins to shave the
Judge, as:
TODD
Pretty women…
Fascinating…
