Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street script

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Script - Broadway musical

INT. DARK CHAMBER -- NIGHT
Foreboding organ music is heard...
We are looking down at a rough brick floor ... is it an
alley? ... a cobblestone street? ... a warehouse? a factory?
... we're not sure...
The flickering glow of flame is the only illumination...
The ominous organ music continues as...
From the bottom of the frame...
A dark pool of blood slowly begins to spread ... moving up
the frame, defying gravity ... the flickering flame reflected in the blood...
Finally, the pool of blood fills the entire frame.
SUDDENLY--
A shrill factory whistle blows--
ENORMOUSLY LOUD -- blood-chilling and spine-shattering --
the whistle is a bizarre combination of sound: a factory
whistle; a hog being slaughtered; a dog snarling; a roaring
inferno; a human scream--
And a man's face appears, upside down, reflected in the pool
of blood.
He is THE GENTLEMAN, a slender dandy in pearl grey gloves and
matching waistcoat. A cold and superior aristocrat.
The camera slowly revolves -- the Gentleman becoming right side up as--
GENTLEMAN
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
His skin was pale and his eye was odd.
He shaved the faces of gentlemen
Who never thereafter were heard of again.
He trod a path that few have trod,
Did Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
We cut from the blood to see the Gentleman standing before
us. Strangely impassive.
We are in an eerie dark chamber, unclear, a low ceiling, a
world of silhouettes and shadows.

Another figure emerges from the miasma of shadows, into the
hellish flickering of flame: THE BANKER. He is large, rotund
and sleek. Impressive muttonchops.
BANKER
He kept a shop in London town,
Of fancy clients and good renown,
And what if none of their souls were saved?
They went to their maker impeccably shaved...
More FIGURES begin to emerge from the shadows, joining the
Gentleman and the Banker as...
BANKER
By Sweeney,
By Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Although prosaic in appearance these figures are, in fact,
GHOSTS.
GHOSTS
Swing your razor wide, Sweeney!
Hold it to the skies!
Freely flows the blood of those
Who moralize!
As they continue, the new figures become more distinct...
THE GENERAL, a tough, leather-skinned military man in a crimson imperial uniform...
GENERAL
His needs were few, his room was bare:
THE PRIEST, a lean, severe man with pale skin in clerical attire...
PRIEST
A lavabo and a fancy chair...
THE TOURIST, a small, meek man with glasses in an ill-fitting suit...
TOURIST
A mug of suds and a leather strop,
An apron, a towel, a pail and a mop...
THE STUDENT, a dashing young man from Oxford with luxurious long hair...

STUDENT
For neatness he deserves a nod,
Does Sweeney Todd...
GENTLEMAN
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
The ghosts are a bit more insinuating now as they move around this mysterious world...
GHOSTS
(variously)
Inconspicuous Sweeney was,
Quick and quiet and clean ?e was.
Back of his smile, under his word,
Sweeney heard music that nobody heard.
Sweeney pondered and Sweeney planned,
Like a perfect machine 'e planned,
Sweeney was smooth, Sweeney was subtle,
Sweeney would blink and rats would scuttle...
The specters are becoming more insistent, their strange
impassivity giving way to accusation as the flickering red flame becomes an inferno--
GHOSTS
(variously)
Sweeney was smooth, Sweeney was subtle,
Sweeney would blink and rats would scuttle.
Inconspicuous Sweeney was,
Quick and quiet and clean 'e was,
Like a perfect machine 'e was,
Was Sweeney!
Sweeney!
Sweeney!
Sweeeeeneeeeey!
On this explosive note we revolve -- away from the ghostly
Furies--
To discover--
SWEENEY TODD. Standing before us. An unclear figure,
silhouetted in blazing red flames.
We slowly push in on him as:
GHOSTS
Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd.
He served a dark and a vengeful god.
What happened then--

GENTLEMAN
Well, who?s to say?
BANKER
And he wouldn't want us to give it away,
GHOSTS
(variously)
Not Sweeney,
Not Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
On this note, we push in tight on the figure of Todd...
Music and the clanging of a clock tower bell are heard as we
slowly begin pulling back and are imperceptibly transported to...
EXT. SHIP -- THAMES -- ALMOST DAWN 2 2
ANTHONY, a young sailor of about 20, is standing at the rail
of a ship. We see the obscure shape of rigging and sails
behind him. The cries of sailors echo.
Behind him stand the GENTLEMAN and the BANKER. They are
looking past Anthony, looking at something. They move away as
Anthony peers through the fog, straining to see... London.
Gradually, as the ship approaches, the towering spires and
mountainous rooftops of the city begin to stand out in
relief, to emerge through the fog like a tiger creeping toward its prey.
Music continues as Anthony takes in the dreadful and
magnificent spectacle of the 19th Century metropolis. The
gnarl of rooftops. The labyrinth of streets and alleys. The
black trails of smoke reaching up like skeletal fingers from a thousand chimneys.
London. Sulfurous London.
Anthony is awestruck.
ANTHONY
I have sailed the world, beheld its wonders
From the Dardanelles
To the mountains of Peru,
But there's no place like London--!
Then--

Sweeney Todd steps to Anthony?s side, grimly interrupting--
TODD
No, there's no place like London.
ANTHONY
Mr. Todd...?
TODD
You are young.
Life has been kind to you.
You will learn.
Todd's glares forward, his haunted gaze never leaving the
approaching city.
EXT. DOCKS -- DAWN 3 3
Music continues as Todd stands very still and takes in the shadowy figures on the docks.
Anthony seems almost lost at his side, overwhelmed by the scale and aura of the city.
ANTHONY
Lord ... takes your breath away, doesn't it?
Todd shudders violently, almost snarling.
TODD
There's a hole in the world
Like a great black pit
And the vermin of the world
Inhabit it
And its morals aren't worth
What a pig could spit
And it goes by the name Of London.
At the top of the hole
Sit the privileged few
Making mock of the vermin
In the lower zoo,
Turning beauty into filth and greed.
I too
Have sailed the world, and seen its wonders
For the cruelty of men
Is as wondrous as Peru,
But there's no place like London!
Anthony looks at his friend, mystified by his grim reaction to the city.

TODD
I beg your indulgence, Anthony ... My
mind is far from easy. In these once
familiar streets I feel shadows everywhere...
ANTHONY
Shadows...?
TODD
Ghosts.
Anthony looking at him, questioning. Todd continues quietly:
TODD
There was a barber and his wife,
And she was beautiful,
A foolish barber and his wife,
She was his reason and his life,
And she was beautiful,
And she was virtuous.
And he was...
(a breath)
Naive.
Anthony watches, rapt, as Todd remembers...
EXT. FLOWER MARKET -- FLASHBACK -- DAY 4 4
...Fifteen years before.
Todd walks with his beautiful wife LUCY through a crowded
flower market, a colorful explosion of blossoms. Lucy carries
their one-year-old baby, JOHANNA.
Todd is almost unrecognizable to us, content and smiling.
Chatting with his wife. Happy.
TODD (V.O.)
There was another man who saw
That she was beautiful,
A pious vulture of the law,
Who with a gesture of his claw
Removed the barber from his plate.
Then there was nothing but to wait
And she would fall,
So soft,
So young,
So lost,
And oh, so beautiful!

During the above, JUDGE TURPIN, an elderly man with a
saturnine demeanor, eyes Lucy through the luxurious bunches
of flowers. He stalks her, desiring her.
With the Judge is his nefarious creature, BEADLE BAMFORD. The
Beadle is a large man, his florid nature and pink, powdered
face never quite disguising his lethality.
The Judge whispers to the Beadle, indicating Todd. Then the
Beadle and several policemen sweep in and drag Todd off. The
Judge moves in on Lucy like a predator.
And we return to...
EXT. DOCKS -- DAWN 5 5
Music continues.
ANTHONY
And the lady, sir ... did she succumb?
TODD
Oh, that was many years ago...
I doubt if anyone would know.
A quiet beat.
TODD
I owe you my life, Anthony. If you
hadn't spotted me, I would be lost on
the ocean still ... Thank you.
Todd picks up his duffel bag, preparing to go.
ANTHONY
Will I see you again?
TODD
You might find me, if you like, around
Fleet Street.
ANTHONY
Until then, my friend.
He offers his hand. Todd takes it and shakes.
Then Todd quickly turns and goes.
Anthony stands for a moment, saddened by the mysterious pall
that hangs over his friend.

EXT. STREET -- MORNING 6 6
Todd strides along, deep in thought. The emotions roiling
within him finally seethe out in a dark mutter:
TODD
There's a hole in the world
Like a great black pit
And it's filled with people
Who are filled with shit
And the vermin of the world
Inhabit it...
He disappears down the street as the music THUNDERS--
EXT. LONDON ASSAULT -- DAY 7 7
--We ZOOM ahead of Todd -- cutting through the city at
lightning pace down twisting alleys and up crowded boulevards
-- into tunnels and over bridges -- slashing through London
at breakneck speed -- the insane explosion of music sending us hurtling to--
EXT. THE PIE SHOP -- DAY 8 8
Fleet Street.
We see the exterior of Mrs. Lovett's pie shop. It is tatty
and unloved by all. Yet it has a strange, ghostly presence to
it. Imposing and dead at the same time.
There is an exterior staircase leading up to a darkened
second floor room with a window overlooking the street.
The music slows and continues as we see Todd, standing in
front of the shop, considering it deeply.
The GENERAL we saw before passes, glancing at Todd. Here and then gone.
Todd finally strides to the shop and enters...
INT. PIE SHOP -- DAY 9 9
Behind the dusty counter is...
MRS. LOVETT, a venal, vigorous and slatternly woman in her 40's.
She is currently busy chopping a loathsome mess of suet with
a wicked looking knife, her greasy hair hanging down over her face.

The moment Todd enters -- and the bell at the door sounds --
her head snaps up and her eyes are on him like a bird of prey:
MRS. LOVETT
A customer!
Todd is startled, starts to go--
MRS. LOVETT
Wait! What's yer rush?
What's yer hurry?
(She sticks the knife into the counter)
You gave me such a--
(Wipes her hands on her apron) )
Fright. I thought you was a ghost.
Half a minute, can'tcher?
Sit!
Sit ye down!
(An order)
Sit!
(He obeys)
All I meant is that I
Haven't seen a customer for weeks.
Did you come here for a pie, sir?
(Todd nods. She flicks a bit of dust off a pie with a rag)
Do forgive me if me head's a little vague--
Ugh!
(She plucks something off the pie, examines it)
What is that?
But you'd think we had the plague--
(She drops it on the floor and stamps on it)
From the way that people--
(She flicks something off the pie with her finger)
Keep avoiding--
(Spotting it moving)
No, you don't!
(She smacks it with her hand)
Heaven knows I try, sir!
(Lifts her hand, looks at it)
Tsk!
(She wipes it on the edge of the counter)
But there's no one comes in even to inhale--

Tsk!
(She blows the last dust off the pie as she brings it to him)
Right you are, sir. Would you like a drop of ale?
(Todd nods)
Mind you, I can't hardly blame them--
(Pouring a tankard of ale)
These are probably the worst pies in London.
I know why nobody cares to take them--
I should know,
I make them.
But good? No,
The worst pies in London--
Even that's polite.
The worst pies in London--
If you doubt it, take a bite.
(He does. It's horrible)
Is that just disgusting?
You have to concede it.
It's nothing but crusting--
Here, drink this, you'll need it--
(She gives him the ale)
The worst pies in London.
During the following, she slams lumps of dough on the counter
and rolls them out, grunting frequently as she goes:
MRS. LOVETT
And no wonder with the price of meat
What it is--
(Grunt)
When you get it.
(Grunt)
Never
(Grunt)
Thought I'd live to see the day
Men'd think it was a treat
Finding poor
(Grunt)
Animals
(Grunt)
Wot are dying in the street.
Mrs. Mooney has a pie shop,
Does a business, but I noticed something weird--
Lately all her neighbors' cats have disappeared.
(Shrugs)
Have to hand it to her--
Wot I calls
Enterprise,
Popping pussies into pies.
Wouldn't do in my shop--
Just the thought of it's enough to make you sick.

And I'm telling you them pussy cats is quick.
(Leans on counter, exhausted)
No denying times is hard, sir -- Even harder than
The worst pies in London.
Only lard and nothing more--
(As Todd gamely tries another mouthful)
Is that just revolting?
All greasy and gritty,
It looks like it's molting,
And tastes like--
Well, pity
A woman alone
With limited wind
And the worst pies in London!
(Sighs heavily)
Ah sir,
Times is hard. Times is hard.
She finishes one of the crusts with a flourish as the music ends.
Todd, meanwhile, is gulping at his ale, trying to wash down
Mrs. Lovett's hideous creation.
MRS. LOVETT
Trust me, dearie, it's going to take more than ale to wash that taste out.
Come with me and we'll get you a nice tumbler of gin.
She leads him through the curtains at the back of the pie shop and into...
INT. PARLOR -- DAY 10 10
... Her parlor is a wonder of seedy faux-middle class
Victoriana. Little knickknacks, dusty plants and dingy
doilies. There is a threadbare mauve sofa in front of a comfortable fire.
A faded picture postcard of the seaside hangs on a wall.
She goes to a sideboard and pours him a huge glass of gin as:
MRS. LOVETT
Isn't this homey now? Me cheery wallpaper was a real bargain too, it
being only partly singed when the chapel burnt down ....

She hands him the gin. He gulps it down, washing the taste of
her pie out of his mouth.
MRS. LOVETT
There's a good boy, now you sit down and warm your bones, you look chilled through.
He sits before the fire:
TODD
Isn't that a room over the shop? If
times are so hard, why don't you rent it out?
She glances up at the roof, considering the room over them.
MRS. LOVETT
Up there? Oh, no one will go near it...
She turns to him, something a little intense and probing about her gaze.
MRS. LOVETT
People think it's haunted.
TODD
Haunted?
She holds his gaze.
MRS. LOVETT
And who's to say they're wrong? ...
You see, years ago, something happened
up there. Something not very nice...
The flickering flame from the fire begins to cast a more
intense red glow on her face...
MRS. LOVETT
There was a barber and his wife,
And he was beautiful,
A proper artist with a knife,
But they transported him for life.
(Sighs)
And he was beautiful...
The music continues as she looks at him, again with that rather intense gaze:

MRS. LOVETT
Barker, his name was -- Benjamin
Barker.
TODD
Transported? What was his crime?
MRS. LOVETT
(with an edge)
Foolishness.
She turns again to the fire, the red glow bathing her face as she remembers...
INT. BARBER SHOP -- FLASHBACK -- DAY 11 11
Lucy is pacing, holding Baby Johanna to her closely. Lucy is
distraught, strained, tears in her eyes.
As Lucy paces we notice the room is full of dead and dying
flowers: dozens of dried bouquets tossed aside and ignored.
MRS. LOVETT (V.O.)
He had this wife, you see,
Pretty little thing,
Silly little nit
Had her chance for the moon on a string--
Poor thing. Poor thing.
Lucy moves to the window, looks out. She sees Judge Turpin
and the Beadle waiting below. The Judge holds yet another bouquet.
MRS. LOVETT (V.O.)
There was this Judge, you see,
Wanted her like mad,
Every day he?d send her a flower,
But did she come down from her tower?
Sat up there and sobbed by the hour,
Poor fool.
Lucy moves away from the window, sobbing.
MRS. LOVETT (V.O.)
Ah, but there was worse yet to come,
Poor thing.

EXT. EXCLUSIVE STREET -- FLASHBACK -- EVENING 12 12
The Beadle is leading a nervous Lucy along an exclusive
street of dark stone mansions, grand but somehow menacing.
Lucy is wearing her best dress.
MRS. LOVETT (V.O.)
The Beadle calls on her, all polite,
Poor thing, poor thing.
The Judge, he tells her, is all contrite,
He blames himself for her dreadful plight
She must come straight to his house tonight!
Poor thing, poor thing.
INT. TURPIN'S MANSION -- BALLROOM -- FLASHBACK -- NIGHT 13 13
The Beadle ushers Lucy into a ballroom. She is shocked to see
a fancy-dress ball in progress.
Masked couples swirl around the ballroom, their number
sinisterly multiplied by the distorting mirrors that frame
the room. The hanging chandeliers, draped in red cloth, cast
a disquieting incarnadine glow on the proceedings...
MRS. LOVETT (V.O.)
Of course, when she goes there,
Poor thing, poor thing,
They're having this ball all in masks.
Lucy wanders lost through the swirling dancers, they buffet her, confusing her...
MRS. LOVETT (V.O.)
There's no one she knows there,
Poor dear, poor thing,
She wanders tormented, and drinks,
Poor thing.
The Judge has repented, she thinks,
Poor thing.
?Oh, where is Judge Turpin?? she asks.
The Beadle finds Lucy again and graciously gives her his arm,
leading her through the party. She is thankful for the
salvation he provides. He brings her to Judge Turpin.
The Judge descends on Lucy, raping her. The other guests
crowd around ravenously, enjoying the spectacle. A feverish nightmare.
MRS. LOVETT (V.O.)
He was there, all right--
Only not so contrite!
She wasn?t no match for such craft, you see,

And everyone thought it so droll.
They figured she had to be daft, you see,
So all of ?em stood there and laughed, you see,
Poor soul!
Poor thing!
TODD (V.O.)
NOOOOOOOO...!
Todd's wild howl shatters the memory and tears us back to--
INT. PARLOR -- DAY 14 14
--Todd is bolting up from the sofa, tormented--
TODD
..... NOOOOOO!
He stands for a terrible beat.
TODD
Would no one have mercy on her?
MRS. LOVETT
So it is you -- Benjamin Barker.
TODD
Where's Lucy?! Where?s my wife?!
MRS. LOVETT
She poisoned herself. Arsenic from the apothecary on the corner. I tried to
stop her but she wouldn't listen to me. And he's got your daughter.
TODD
He? Judge Turpin?
MRS. LOVETT
Adopted her like his own.
Todd absorbs this sickening news.
TODD
Fifteen years of sweating in a living
hell on a false charge. Fifteen years
dreaming that I might come home to
find a loving wife and child...
A beat as he stares into the fire, madness and purpose
creeping in.
PAGE 15.

MRS. LOVETT
Well, I can't say the years have been
particularly kind to you, Mr. Barker, but you still--
TODD
No, not Barker. That man is dead. It's
Todd now. Sweeney Todd ... And he will have his revenge.
He continues with a chilling and quiet resolve as he stares
with unblinking eyes into the fire:
TODD
Judge Turpin and the Beadle will pay for what they did.
A beat. He finally turns to her.
TODD
First I must have my shop back.
EXT. PIE SHOP -- DAY 15 15
They emerge from the pie shop. She begins to scale the
exterior staircase to the darkened second floor room. He hesitates.
MRS. LOVETT
Come along...
She continues up, he slowly follows.
INT. BARBER SHOP -- DAY 16 16
A macabre shroud of dust and spider's webs. Furniture covered
in sheets. A broken mirror on one wall.
We hear footsteps approaching and then Mrs. Lovett enters.
The door creaks like a living thing.
MRS. LOVETT
Not to worry, a touch of oil will put that right.
(she turns back to Todd)
... Nothing to be afraid of, love, come in.
She moves into the room. But Todd hesitates at the door,
looking into the room.
For him this is a truly haunted place.


Meanwhile, she kneels and pries loose a floorboard.
Underneath there is a hidden area. Within that, something
covered with a velvet cloth. She removes it and carefully
unwraps it. Her touch is particularly gentle and respectful.
We discover it is a fine leather case. She looks at it for a
beat. Then turns to him, dusting it off.
TODD
I don't believe it...
He finally steps into the room, drawn toward the case.
MRS. LOVETT
When they came for the girl, I hid
'em. I thought, who knows? Maybe the
silly blighter'll be back again.
Cracked in the head, wasn't I?
Haunting music begins as she opens the case...
And we see it contains a beautiful set of razors.
He stands for a long moment, gazing down at his beloved razors.
MRS. LOVETT
Those handles is chased silver, ain't they?
TODD
Silver, yes...
These are my friends,
See how they glisten.
(He picks up a small razor)
See this one shine,
How he smiles in the light.
My friend, my faithful friend.
(Holding it to his ear, feeling the edge with his thumb) )
Speak to me friend,
Whisper, I'll listen.
(Listening)
I know, I know--
You've been locked out of sight
All these years--
Like me, my friend.
Well, I've come home
To find you waiting.

Home,
And we're together,
And we'll do wonders,
Won't we?
Mrs. Lovett leans over him, in her own kind of trance as well.
They now sing simultaneously:
TODD
(Picking out a larger razor)
You there, my friend,
Come, let me hold you.
Now, with a sigh
You grow warm
In my hand,
My friend,
My clever friend.
(Putting it back)
Rest now, my friends.
Soon I'll unfold you.
Soon you'll know splendors
You never have dreamed
All your days--
MRS. LOVETT
I'm your friend too, Mr. Todd.
If you only knew, Mr. Todd--
Ooh, Mr. Todd,
You?re warm
In my hand.
You've come home.
Always had a fondness for you,
I did.
TODD
--My lucky friends.
Till now your shine
Was merely silver.
Friends,
You shall drip rubies,
You'll soon drip precious
Rubies...
MRS. LOVETT
Never you fear, Mr. Todd,
You can move in here, Mr. Todd.
Splendors you never have dreamed
All your days
Will be yours.
I'm your friend.

And you?re mine.
Don't they shine beautiful?
Silver's good enough for me, Mr. T...
The music continues quietly as Todd stares at one of his razors.
TODD
Leave me now...
She goes. Todd finally picks up his biggest razor and slowly opens it, looks at it.
TODD
At last my arm is complete again.
And he remains standing. Exalted.
Then--
In the shattered mirror on the wall he suddenly sees--
The distorted reflections of the Gentleman, the Banker, and the General, looking at him--
GHOSTS
Lift your razor high, Sweeney!
Hear it singing, "Yes!"
Sink it in the rosy skin
Of righteousness!
Todd turns to them...
GHOSTS
(variously)
His voice was soft, his manner mild.
He seldom laughed but he often smiled,
He'd seen how civilized men behave.
He never forgot and he never forgave,
Not Sweeney,
Not Sweeney Todd,
The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
Todd pulls a sheet off Baby Johanna's cradle. A cloud of dust rises.
The ghosts disappear in the cloud of dust and Todd stands
alone, staring at the cradle, holding his razor.

EXT. EXCLUSIVE STREET -- DAY 17 17
Anthony, now out of his sailor's uniform, is walking along
the sidewalk near the Judge?s mansion, absorbed in a copy of
Baedeker's London.
He stops, lost, trying to get his bearings, studying his map.
Then an unusual sound emerges through the normal cosmopolitan
bustle. It is the sound of a woman humming. He looks up to see...
JOHANNA, a 16-year-old girl with golden hair, beautiful and
hauntingly sad. She sits at her window above, behind bars,
humming to herself as she does needlepoint.
Anthony watches her, absolutely mesmerized.
Johanna notices a Bird Seller passing. He carries a long,
wooden pole with little bird cages attached.
JOHANNA
Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
How is it you sing?
How can you jubilate,
Sitting in cages,
Never taking wing?
Outside the sky waits,
Beckoning, beckoning,
Just beyond the bars.
How can you remain,
Staring at the rain,
Maddened by the stars?
How is it you sing
Anything?
How is it you sing?
Then ... she sees Anthony on the sidewalk below.
Music continues. There is a long look between them. Her
intense, melancholy expression moves him.
She continues singing, the strange anguish and yearning of
her words seem intended only for him...
JOHANNA
My cage has many rooms,
Damask and dark.
Nothing there sings,
Not even my lark.
Larks never will, you know,
When they?re captive.

Teach me to be more adaptive.
Green finch and linnet bird,
Nightingale, blackbird,
Teach me how to sing.
If I cannot fly,
Let me sing.
Then she turns away quickly, alarmed, when someone enters her
room. She looks terrified.
Below, Anthony is concerned for her. He sees her move from
the window.
He is craning to see better when a BEGGAR WOMAN -- a filthy
tendril of a woman, her foul clothes of rags like a second
skin -- suddenly thrusts her arm up from the curb, imploring:
BEGGAR WOMAN
Alms! ... Alms! ...
For a miserable woman
On a miserable chilly morning...
(Anthony drops a coin into her hand)
Thank yer, sir, thank yer.
ANTHONY
Ma?am, could tell me whose house this is?
BEGGAR WOMAN
That?s the great Judge Turpin?s house that is.
ANTHONY
And the young lady who resides there?
BEGGAR WOMAN
That?s Johanna, his pretty little
ward. Keeps her snug, he does, all
locked up ... So don?t you go
trespassing there or it?s a good
whipping for you -- or any other young
man with mischief on his mind...
She suddenly leers into a lewd and demented assault:
BEGGAR WOMAN
'Ow would you like a little muff, dear,
A little jig jig
A little bounce around the bush?
Wouldn't you like to push me parsley?

It looks to me, dear,
Like you got plenty there to push.
She grabs at Anthony's crotch -- Anthony starts back -- she
turns away, instantly plaintive again, and appeals to other
pedestrians as she goes:
BEGGAR WOMAN
Alms! ... Alms!...
For a desperate woman...
Anthony considers the mansion. He sees a figure standing at a
window, unclear behind the shutters, watching him.
He sits on a bench outside the mansion and sings quietly:
ANTHONY
I feel you,
Johanna,
I feel you.
I was half convinced I'd waken,
Satisfied enough to dream you.
Happily I was mistaken, Johanna!
I'll steal you,
Johanna,
I'll steal you...
Then the figure disappears from the window above. Anthony
stands, waits. Then the doors to the mansion swing open...
Anthony is expecting Johanna...
But it is Judge Turpin, the predator we met in Todd's
flashback, who steps into the doorway.
He seems a different man now. Paternal and warm, he smiles
and beckons to Anthony.
Anthony hesitates, unsure. The Judge beckons again. Again the
warm smile.
JUDGE
Come in, lad. Come in...
Anthony goes into the mansion.
INT. TURPIN'S MANSION -- LIBRARY -- DAY 18 18
Judge Turpin leads Anthony into the dark library, filled with
books. Anthony is looking around for Johanna. He is wary,
this is all very strange.

JUDGE
... you were looking for Hyde Park, you say?
ANTHONY
Yes, it's terribly large on the map but I keep getting lost...
JUDGE
Sit down, lad, sit down.
Anthony sits, uncomfortable, as the Judge pours two snifters of brandy.
ANTHONY
It's embarrassing for a sailor to lose
his bearings, but, well, there you are.
Then...
The large form of the Beadle appears from the shadows. No
introduction is made. Anthony glances to him, uneasy.
JUDGE
A sailor, eh?
ANTHONY
Yes, sir. The "Bountiful" out of
Plymouth.
JUDGE
(handing him a snifter of brandy)
A sailor must know the ways of the world, yes? ... Must be practiced in
the ways of the world ... Would you say you are practiced, boy?
ANTHONY
Sir?
The Judge moves to consider some beautiful volumes, bound in
the richest leather. He runs a finger along the spines of the
books; his large library of pornography.
JUDGE
Oh, yes ... such practices ... the
geishas of Japan ... the concubines of
Siam .. the catamites of Greece ...
the harlots of India ... I have them
all here ... Drawings of them ....

(he turns again to Anthony)
... All the vile things you've done with your whores.
Anthony is speechless. The Judge just smiles at him amiably.
JUDGE
Would you like to see?
ANTHONY
(standing)
I think there's been some mistake--
JUDGE
Oh, I think not. You gandered at my
ward, Johanna ... You gandered at her
... Yes, sir, you gandered.
The Beadle moves behind Anthony.
ANTHONY
(glancing nervously back at the Beadle)
I meant no harm--
JUDGE
Your meaning is immaterial. Mark me:
if I see your face again on this
street, you'll rue the day your bitch
of a mother gave you birth.
Anthony is stunned. The Judge proceeds with shocking venom:
JUDGE
My Johanna isn't one of your bloody
cock-chafers! My Johanna is not to be gandered at!
He nods to the Beadle -- the Beadle instantly grabs Anthony
and brutally hauls him out.
EXT. MANSION -- ALLEY -- DAY 19 19
The Beadle drags Anthony through a rear door of the mansion
and flings him into a filthy alley.
Anthony pulls himself up. Stunned.
BEADLE
Hyde Park is that way, young sir ... A
right and then a left, then straight on, you see? ...

JUDGE (cont'd)
(MORE)
(points)
... Over there.
Flustered, Anthony turns to look--
The instant Anthony's back is turned, the Beadle swings his
lethal billyclub and SLAMS him from behind brutally, in the
kidneys -- Anthony's knees buckle--
The Beadle then SLAMS Anthony across the back of the neck --
Anthony falls hard--
The Beadle then uses one dainty foot to roll Anthony over--
Anthony gazes up at him, panting for breath, in agony--
BEADLE
You heard Judge Turpin, little man.
He presses the end of his billyclub into Anthony's forehead, grinding it hard--
BEADLE
Next time it'll be your pretty brains all over the pavement.
With that, the Beadle returns to the mansion and slams the door.
Anthony slowly pulls himself to his knees, doubled over, coughing up blood.
A long beat as Anthony gets his breath, wiping blood from his face.
Still doubled over, he sings with burning intensity:
ANTHONY
I'll steal you,
Johanna,
I'll steal you!
Do they think that walls can hide you?
Even now I'm at your window.
I am in the dark beside you,
Buried sweetly in your yellow hair.
He pulls himself up, every movement is agony. He makes his
way down the alley, leaning on the wall for support.
EXT. EXCLUSIVE STREET -- DAY 20 20
The music swells as Anthony emerges from the dark alley into
the bright sunlight. He makes his way along the sidewalk:

BEADLE (cont'd)
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.
EXT. STREET LEADING TO ST. DUNSTAN'S MARKETPLACE -- DAY 21 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.
EXT. ST. DUNSTAN?S MARKETPLACE DAY 22 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.

EXT. STREET -- DAY 23 23
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.
INT. JOHANNA'S ROOM -- MORNING 24 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...
EXT. TURPIN'S MANSION -- MORNING 25 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.
INT. JOHANNA'S ROOM -- MORNING 26 26
Peering through the shutters, Johanna watches him go.
We linger on her face and then dissolve to another face, also watching...

INT. BARBER SHOP -- MORNING 27 27
... 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...
EXT. PIE SHOP -- DAY 28 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)

... 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.
INT. BARBER SHOP -- DAY 29 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...

MRS. LOVETT (cont'd)
Todd shakes his head, amused, and begins to turn away when
Pirelli says:
PIRELLI
... Mr. Benjamin Barker.
Todd freezes.
INT. PIE SHOP -- DAY 30 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.
INT. BARBER SHOP -- DAY 31 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?

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--
INT. PIE SHOP -- DAY 32 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. Spicand-
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--!

PIRELLI (cont'd)
MRS. LOVETT
Wait--!
But he is gone--
EXT. PIE SHOP -- DAY 33 33
Toby vaults up the stairs to the barber shop--
INT. BARBER SHOP -- DAY 34 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.

INT. OLD BAILEY -- DAY 35 35
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.
EXT. -- STREET -- OUTSIDE THE OLD BAILEY -- DAY 36 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.
INT. PIE SHOP -- DAY 37 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.
INT. BARBER SHOP -- DAY 38 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...
Sipping coffee, Dancing...

Pretty women
Are a wonder.
Pretty women.
Sitting in the window or
Standing on the stair,
Something in them
Cheers the air.
Pretty women...
JUDGE
Silhouetted...
TODD
Stay within you...
JUDGE
Glancing...
TODD
Stay forever...
JUDGE
Breathing lightly...
TODD
Pretty women...
BOTH
Pretty women!
Blowing out their candles or
Combing out their hair...
They sing simultaneously:
JUDGE
Then they leave...
Even when they leave you
And vanish, they somehow
Can still remain
There with you,
There with you.
TODD
Even when they leave,
They still
Are there.
They're there.
BOTH
Ah,
Pretty women...

TODD
At their mirrors...
JUDGE
In their gardens...
TODD
Letter-writing...
JUDGE
Flower-picking...
TODD
Weather-watching...
BOTH
How they make a man sing!
Proof of heaven
As you're living--
Pretty women, sir!
The music approaches a feverish crescendo as Todd prepares to
finally kill the Judge and they sing simultaneously:
JUDGE
Pretty women, yes!
Pretty women, sir!
Pretty women!
Pretty women, sir!
TODD
Pretty women, here's to
Pretty women, all the
Pretty women--
Just as the music reaches a climax,
Last Update:July, 13th 2016

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