Down by Law (1986)

The story of three different men in a Louisiana prison and their eventual journey.

Director:

Jim Jarmusch

Writer:

Jim Jarmusch

Stars:

Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni

4 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Waits	...	Zack
John Lurie	...	Jack
Roberto Benigni	...	Roberto
Nicoletta Braschi	...	Nicoletta
Ellen Barkin	...	Laurette
Billie Neal	...	Bobbie
Rockets Redglare	...	Gig
Vernel Bagneris	...	Preston
Timothea	...	Julie
L.C. Drane	...	L.C.
Joy N. Houck Jr.	...	Detective Mandino (as Joy Houck Jr.)
Carrie Lindsoe	...	Young Girl
Ralph Joseph	...	Detective
Richard Boes	...	Detective
Dave Petitjean	...	Cajun Detective

Storyline

DJ Zack and pimp Jack end up in prison for being too laid-back to avoid being framed for crimes they didn't commit. They end up sharing a cell with eccentric Italian optimist Roberto, whose limited command of the English language is both entertaining and infuriating -but rather more useful to them is the fact that Roberto knows an escape route

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Plot Keywords:

prison | louisiana | escape | pimp | disc jockey | 

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Taglines:

It's not where you start - It's where you start again.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Drama

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Certificate:

R

Details

Country:

USA West Germany

Language:

English Italian

Release Date:

30 October 1986 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Bajo el peso de la ley

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,100,000 (estimated)

Gross:

$1,436,000 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Black Snake, Grokenberger Film Produktion, Island Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Roberto Benigni had never been to America prior to this film.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Jack: Julie, what're you doing out here?
Julie: Just watching the light change.

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Connections

Featured in Brows Held High: Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (2012)

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Soundtracks

"It's Raining"
Written by Naomi Neville
Performed by Irma Thomas
Used by permission of CBS Unart catalog, Inc. and Jefferson Jazz, Inc.

User Reviews

Noire Fairy Tale: Surprised by Delight

This movie was a total surprise to me. I'm sure it's very famous, but somehow had never seen it before. From the beginning scenes, I was expecting a gritty low life, wind up in the gutter, down and out kind of crime movie and that was fine with me, especially if set in New Orleans. At the same time there was a surprising freshness about it, that caught my attention, like a wake up call. Literally, there was writing on the wall that signaled "this is not that kind of movie!" The opening scenes reminded me of the opening of Sopranos -- the rolling shot of a neighborhood with an ominous sounding song in the background. (Were the Sopranos producers inspired by this film?) But once Roberto Benigni appeared on the scene, announcing that "Life is Sad and Beautiful" the whole story began to feel more like a strange fairy tale. Throughout the film, I appreciated the way the director took his time, letting the story evolve slowly, giving the characters time to develop their tenuous bonds. I could watch this again and again, knowing I would keep discovering hidden meanings, references, and ironies. Loved it!!!!