This isn't a typical type of book that we discuss as there are no characters and no plot, so this will be a lot more informal. However, please stay with the the subject of the question as there will be more questions posted this week. ;)

#1 - Was Mark Salisbury's book what you expected when you heard that there would be a companion book?

Just a real quick reply before I go to work.

NO!!!

The book is so much more than I thought.
I loved the detail and the PICTURES :thud
The quality was more than I could have ever expected.

Yes that is right. :) The book is so much better than I had expected. :thumbsup I love it! :claphands

I agree with the previous posts-the photos and text are amazing and well worth the expenditure. :) Anne r

The book is much better than I thought it would be. I love all of the pics and the reading is fantasic. You get drawn right into it from the beginning. When I pick it up it's hard to put it down.

Nicci :angel

Since I have the "making of" book for AWE, I was hoping this one would at least be as good, However, since Disney wasn't involved, I wasn't sure what kind of quality to expect and I was just amazed when I received it! The photographs are stunning, especially the ones that take up two pages, and even the written pages with splashes of blood are just great! I wasn't expecting how they did the last part, the illustrated story, so that was a nice surprise. I guess what I'm saying is, it's a beautiful book! Well worth the money for sure.....

-Donna

Please add me to that chorus. Much better than I had imagined. There was a great deal more attention to detail than I had expected. The extra touches, like the blood-stained pages, as well as the production drawings, etc., are wonderful. Beautifully done.

WOO HOO! Looks like everyone so far is really thrilled with the book! What did you think you'd get? Did you have a preconceived idea?

For me, just seeing the cover was stunning, but I wasn't expecting those gorgeous 2 page photographs.

-Donna

I didn't really know what to expect, but thought it to be more along the lines of the movie-in-book form...pictures telling the story. But all the making-of pictures and information was a pleasant surprise! Well worth the money, yes. And the "history" of Sweeney Todd both on the page and on Broadway was very informative.

I was very, very pleased with the book. Sometimes with tie-in books you never know.

I really loved seeing Tim's sketches of Sweeney since he had mentioned one drawing looked like Johnny & Helena.

I always love seeing behind the scenes pictures and how they do certain shots, for instance pages 90-91 with the waltz part of Little Priest.

I like they didn't hold back with the behind the scenes pictures. Kinda funny seeing Johnny laughing and smiling when you know Sweeney isn't a laughing, smiling kind of guy. :lol:

That thought occured to me too Kris. Seeing Johnny laughing in his "Sweeney" outfit...it was just odd looking. LOL

I was so blown away by the details inside the book, it's one of the best companion books I think I've ever seen.

Sometimes a companion book to a film is disappointing but not this one!
Nothing was spared on the quality and material! And I love how if you take the cover off, there's nothing on the cover, but the binding has the title in that rich blood red color!

Rose, that's very well put! Nothing was spared on this book! Everything is just exquisite!

Here I am, back for another discussion. Glutten for punishment that I am.

I did not have any pre-conceived notions about this book, other than extreme excitement about it's existence and the thrill of ownership.

I am only on page 42 of the text, but I have thumbed through all the pages several times. The production sketches and photos are what I live for! I am so facinated by the process of filmaking. I am very, very pleased with this book.(edit: haha, I hadn't seen kris' post yet--we think alike apparently)
My favorite pics are the b&w's of Tim and Johnny looking over the script and cracking each other up. Priceless!

I was going to try and get the book today or tomorrow, however, a friend just came over for NYE festivities, and guess what my Christmas present from her was? Whee! Can't wait to delve into it and be able to join you all in discussion!

Admittedly I haven't purchased this book yet,
(Opted for the musical soundtrack instead),
and have just returned from D.Land holidays,
but I will follow the discussion out of interest
because I've read another ST playbook.
Y'all are making a good impression for purchasing it though !

WOOO HOOOOOOOOOO

It really is a very nice book, so many goodies!!