The Beggar's Opera (1991)
Unlike any other opera, the so-called Beggar's Opera is not just one composition, but a lineage of adapted compositions, beginning with the original hugely successful 1728 political satire written by Englishman John Gay. Composers and writers have penned variations on it ever since. The most famous of these was A Threepenny Opera by Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Some things these compositions share in common is their setting among the poor and criminal classes, and the roguish character Macheath. This production is based on an adaptation of Gay's original by Vaclav Havel the freedom-fighter, writer and philosopher who became the first (and only) president of the united post-communist country of Czechoslovakia, and it retains many traces of its theatrical origins. Film reviewers were not too tolerant of what they called "slavish adherence" to the noted Czech writer's stage production, but theater, philosophy and history buffs may feel otherwise.
Cast
- Josef Abrhám - Macheath
- Marián Labuda - Peachum
- Nina Divíšková - Elizabeth Peachum
- Libuše Šafránková - Jenny
- Rudolf Hrušínský - Lockit
- Veronika Freimanová - Lucy
- Barbora Leichnerová - Polly
- Jiří Zahajský - Harry Filch
- Oldřich Vízner - Jim
- Ondřej Vetchý - Jack
Screenplay
- Jiří Menzel (Adaptation)
- Jiří Menzel (Creative Producer)
- Václav Havel (Screenplay)
- Václav Havel (Theatre Play)
- John Gay (Theatre Play)
Keywords
based on play or musical, 1920s
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Beggar's Opera about?
- Unlike any other opera, the so-called Beggar's Opera is not just one composition, but a lineage of adapted compositions, beginning with the original hugely successful 1728 political satire written by Englishman John Gay. Composers and writers have penned variations on it ever since. The most famous of these was A Threepenny Opera by Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Some things these compositions share in common is their setting among the poor and criminal classes, and the roguish character Macheath. This production is based on an adaptation of Gay's original by Vaclav Havel the freedom-fighter, writer and philosopher who became the first (and only) president of the united post-communist country of Czechoslovakia, and it retains many traces of its theatrical origins. Film reviewers were not too tolerant of what they called "slavish adherence" to the noted Czech writer's stage production, but theater, philosophy and history buffs may feel otherwise.
- Who directed The Beggar's Opera?
- The Beggar's Opera was directed by Jiří Menzel.
- Who stars in The Beggar's Opera?
- The Beggar's Opera stars Josef Abrhám, Marián Labuda, Nina Divíšková, Libuše Šafránková, Rudolf Hrušínský, Veronika Freimanová.
- How long is The Beggar's Opera?
- The Beggar's Opera has a runtime of 1h 34m (94 minutes).
- What genre is The Beggar's Opera?
- The Beggar's Opera is a Comedy film.
- Where was The Beggar's Opera produced?
- The Beggar's Opera was produced in Czechoslovakia.