The Tale of Sweeney Todd

The story is set in 18th century London, centering around Sweeney Todd, a barber with a dark secret. Todd's business involves killing his clients and profiting from their jewelry and bodies. Mrs. Lovett assists him by using the corpses to make meat pies for their unsuspecting customers.

Ben Carlyle, an American jeweler's representative, arrives in London to find Alfred Mannheim, a diamond merchant who has recently vanished. Carlyle is searching for $50,000 worth of diamonds that Mannheim sold but failed to deliver. He posts notices offering a reward for any information about Mannheim's whereabouts.

Charlie, a mute orphan working as Todd's assistant, recognizes Mannheim as a man Todd had shaved before his disappearance. Todd discovers this and becomes suspicious of Charlie, leading him to imprison the boy in his basement to keep him silent.

Carlyle enlists police help and seeks assistance from Alice, Todd's ward. He uncovers evidence suggesting Mrs. Lovett's pies contain human flesh when a chemist confirms this. Carlyle eventually sneaks into the pie shop disguised and witnesses the gruesome truth firsthand.

Carlyle confronts Mrs. Lovett, confirming her role in the murders by seeing her preparing human flesh for pies. He manages to tie her up to a meat hook and alerts the police, leading to her arrest for her involvement in the crimes.

Todd tries to kill Carlyle, overpowering him when he visits his shop in disguise. Todd explains his descent into murder and cannibalism, revealing his dark motives before he prepares to torture Carlyle to death.

Charlie, the silent orphan who escaped his shackles, stabs Todd in the back, killing him in a act of revenge. He then frees Carlyle from Todd's captivity, ending Todd's reign of terror.

After the death of Todd, Carlyle burns down the shop to destroy any remaining evidence of the gruesome crimes. He manages to escape with Charlie and the keys to Mannheim's safe, completing his investigation.

Carlyle obtains the keys to Mannheim's safe, bringing him closer to uncovering the missing diamonds and finalizing his investigation into Mannheim's disappearance and the stolen jeweler's goods.