Down by Law (1986)

Two men are framed and sent to jail, where they meet a murderer who helps them escape and leave the state.

Director:

Jim Jarmusch

Writer:

Jim Jarmusch

Stars:

Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni

4 wins & 6 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. More useful to them is the fact that Roberto knows an escape route.

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Plot Keywords:

female nudity | swamp | prison | pimp | escape from prison | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Nicoletta Braschi plays the Italian woman in the film whose character's name is Nicoletta. The actress was born in Cesena, Italy and the character she plays was also born in Cesena. Her character in the film plans to marry Roberto Benigni's character named Roberto. Five years after the film was released, Nicoletta Braschi and Roberto Benigni marry.

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Goofs

When Roberto is drawing a window on the wall, an indistinct impression of the same drawing of a window can already be seen, presumably drawn during an earlier take and later erased.

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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

Referenced in United States of Tara: Bryce Will Play (2011)

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Soundtracks

Jockey Full of Bourbon
Written and Performed by Tom Waits
from his 'Rain Dogs' album
Courtesy Island Records, Inc.
(opening title)

User Reviews

A Pure Joy

The story of three different men (Tom Waits, John Lurie, and Roberto Benigni) in a Louisiana prison and their eventual journey.

This film is a natural progression from "Stranger Than Paradise". Lurie returns as a lead, and the music of Screamin' Jay Hawkins is replaced with Tom Waits. If Hawkins and Waits know each other, I have no idea, but their music styles are not far removed.

Although Waits is among my favorite actors (he excels at playing villains), the standout performance here is Benigni. How much English he knew at the time I am not sure, but he brings a comic mischief to the film, and is the most light-hearted despite being potentially the most dangerous.

Details

Country:

USA West Germany

Language:

English Italian French

Release Date:

30 October 1986 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Down by Law

Filming Locations:

Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,100,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$1,435,668

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,504,286

Company Credits

Production Co:

Island Pictures, Black Snake, Grokenberger Film Produktion

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1