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IMDb > The Beggar's Opera (1953)

The Beggar's Opera (1953) More at IMDbPro »

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Overview

User Rating:
6.3/10   101 votes
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Down 19% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Peter Brook
Writers:
Denis Cannan (writer)
Christopher Fry (writer)
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Contact:
View company contact information for The Beggar's Opera on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
16 October 1953 (Sweden) more
Genre:
Crime | History | Musical more
Plot:
Authentic rendering of John Gay's 18th century musical, filmed in Technicolor, about Captain MacHeath... more | add synopsis
NewsDesk:
The Threepenny Opera Opens At International City Theater
 (From BroadwayWorld.com. 20 January 2009, 4:37 PM, PST)

User Comments:
A thoroughly delightful spoof of movie musicals. more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

Laurence Olivier ... Captain MacHeath
Hugh Griffith ... The Beggar
George Rose ... 1st Turnkey
Stuart Burge ... 1st Prisoner
Cyril Conway ... 2nd Prisoner
Gerald Lawson ... 3rd Prisoner
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
Yvonne Furneaux ... Jenny Diver
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Additional Details

Runtime:
94 min
Country:
UK
Language:
English
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.37 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
UK:U | Sweden:15

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
In early 1953, it was inaccurately announced that Audrey Hepburn would star opposite Laurence Olivier in this production. more
Movie Connections:
Version of Die Dreigroschenoper (1962) more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
3 out of 3 people found the following comment useful:-
A thoroughly delightful spoof of movie musicals., 24 November 1998
Author: Anthony D'Amato (a-damato@nwu.edu) from Chicago, Illinois

John Gay's original Beggar's Opera was a spoof of the high-blown operas of his day. The Olivier film is a spoof of--movie musicals! Sir Laurence sings on horseback; people burst into arias at the worst possible time. The plot goes from the absurd to the absurd. However, if the viewer tries to see it "straight," she will be confused and put off. I don't know why this delightful film is not available on laserdisc or even videotape. Someone should dig it out of the vault and re-introduce it to the world.

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