The Beggar's Opera

The Beggar's Opera (DVD) (*)

~~$26.99~~ $20.97

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 2.0 )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
91 min

Aspect Ratio:
Fullscreen

Special Features:
Interactive Menu
Scene Access

Movie filmed in 1953 and produced in:
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Peter Brook

Written By:
Denis Cannan
Christopher Fry

Actors:
Laurence Olivier ..... Captain MacHeath
Hugh Griffith ..... The Beggar
George Rose ..... 1st Turnkey
Stuart Burge ..... 1st Prisoner
Cyril Conway ..... 2nd Prisoner
Gerald Lawson ..... 3rd Prisoner
Amanda Harley ..... Young Female Traveller (as Eileen Harvey)
Dorothy Tutin ..... Polly Peachum
George Devine ..... Peachum
Mary Clare ..... Mrs. Peachum
Edward Pryor ..... Filch
Athene Seyler ..... Mrs. Trapes
Stanley Holloway ..... Mr. Lockit
Daphne Anderson ..... Lucy Lockit
Eric Pohlmann ..... Inn Keeper

Synopsis:

Laurence Olivier makes his singing debut in this lively adaptation of John Gay's 18th century theatrical piece The Beggar's Opera. Olivier stars as Captain MacHeath, the leader of all bandits and cutthroats in England. MacHeath is in love with Polly Peachum (Dorothy Tutin), the daughter of beggar king Peachum (George Devine). He has also dallied with Lucy (Daphne Anderson), the offspring of corrupt constable (Stanley Holloway) Lockit. Since it is in the best interest for both Peachum and Lockit to rid the world of MacHeath, the two conspire to imprison and hang the scoundrel, but an unexpected turn of events rescues MacHeath from the executioner's noose. Adapted for the screen by Dennis Canaan and Christopher Fry, The Beggar's Opera manages to retain the raffish charm of the stage original while still being wholly cinematic in approach and execution. The same basic story was later retooled by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill as The Threepenny Opera.

Authentic rendering of John Gay's 18th century musical, filmed in Technicolor, about Captain MacHeath, a highwayman, and his love for too many beautiful women. Betrayed by Jenny and Sukey, two of his bygone lovers, and temporarily freed by two others, MacHeath is arrested and condemned to death. While waiting to be hanged, the captain is entertained by a musical beggar, who has written an opera of which the highwayman is the hero.

The Beggar's Opera captures the quality and satiric edge of the Hogarth engravings that influenced John Gay's original version. The fast-paced scenes, scintillating dialogue and inventive music have made this ballad opera an overwhelming success time and again.

This product was added to our catalog on Saturday 04 April, 2009.

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