Sweeney Todd is a silent and introverted man. Throughout this movie he speaks very little, which works well when he is partnered with Mrs Lovitt, who is a chatterbox. Mr Todd is tortured, and has just been released from prison, where he was for a very long time, sent there for a crime he didn't commit. He is used to being alone, and doesn't have the desire to hold conversation like the average human does.
All of these characteristics are well represented in the opening sequence of Sweeney Todd, because there is no dialogue. The opening sequence shows where Mr Todd lives, and tracks a stream of blood through his house. This is an attempt to introduce his character without hearing him speak.
This style of opening sequence is very similar to Tim Burton's other movies. Edward Scissorhands has no dialogue, and Edward too speaks very little. Both characters being portrayed by Johnny Depp makes it difficult to not draw parallels. The opening sequence to Coraline shows a miniature doll version of Coraline being made, and again no dialogue.
Many other movies rely on dialogue in the opening sequence to explain something important. A title sequence can be used in the same way Shakespeare used a prologue-- to catch the audience up with what is happening. This is not necessary in Sweeney Todd, because of the song that follows. In this song Mr Todd and Anthony sing about where Mr Todd has been.
Later on Mrs Lovitt sings the story of Sweeney Todd, allowing the audience to know more about Mr Todd. In a musical, dialogue in an opening sequence is quite unneeded, because there is much more room for explaining events through the use of song.
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