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IMDbPro

Down by Law

  • 19861986
  • RR
  • 1h 47m
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
9,634
1,079
Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
Trailer for Down by Law
Play trailer1:37
3 Videos
99+ Photos
ComedyCrimeDrama
Two men are framed and sent to jail, where they meet a murderer who helps them escape and leave the state.Two men are framed and sent to jail, where they meet a murderer who helps them escape and leave the state.Two men are framed and sent to jail, where they meet a murderer who helps them escape and leave the state.
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
52K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
9,634
1,079
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • Writer
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • Stars
      • Tom Waits
      • John Lurie
      • Roberto Benigni
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • Writer
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • Stars
      • Tom Waits
      • John Lurie
      • Roberto Benigni
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 117User reviews
    • 65Critic reviews
    • 75Metascore
    • Awards
      • 4 wins & 6 nominations

    Videos3

    Down by Law
    Trailer 1:37
    Down by Law
    Down by Law: The Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]
    Trailer 1:32
    Down by Law: The Criterion Collection [Blu-Ray]
    Bill Murray vs. Zombies? We're Dying for 'The Dead Don't Die'
    Clip 3:12
    Bill Murray vs. Zombies? We're Dying for 'The Dead Don't Die'

    Photos103

    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Tom Waits
    Tom Waits
    • Zack
    John Lurie
    John Lurie
    • Jack
    Roberto Benigni
    Roberto Benigni
    • Roberto
    Nicoletta Braschi
    Nicoletta Braschi
    • Nicoletta
    Ellen Barkin
    Ellen Barkin
    • Laurette
    Billie Neal
    • Bobbie
    Rockets Redglare
    Rockets Redglare
    • Gig
    Vernel Bagneris
    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
    Adam Cohen
    • Uniformed Cop
    Alan Kleinberg
    • Corpse
    Archie Sampier
    • Prisoner
    • Director
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • Writer
      • Jim Jarmusch
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Roberto Benigni's rabbit soliloquy was almost entirely self-written/improvisation, based on his own life experiences. His mother actually did raise rabbits.
    • Goofs
      Zack writes the number of the days that he's spent in cellar on the wall. Before he fights Jack for the first time, he angrily writes two big lines (two days). In the next scene with Roberto they are normal length.
    • Quotes

      [repeated line]

      Roberto: I scream-a. You scream-a. We all scream-a. For ice cream-a.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert & the Movies: The Color of Money/Sid and Nancy/Down by Law/Clockwise (1986)
    • Soundtracks
      Jockey Full of Bourbon
      Written and Performed by Tom Waits

      from his 'Rain Dogs' album

      Courtesy Island Records, Inc.

      (opening title)

    User reviews117

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    A Superb Piece 9/10
    If i had to describe any aspect of this flick i'd say it was "crafted". Utterly sublime direction from Jarmusch, with a sense of desolation in the landscape that is captured so well, it's almost surreal. Waits is, simply put, a genius, and puts in a performance which would silence any who feel that "you can't be both an actor and a musician". Benigni and Lurie are both a delirius joy and deliciously despicable respectively. The use of Waits' music within the film only heightens the sense of dusty Americana, and hip oddball style. It reminds me that indie-film snobs have actually got something right for a change, and its cult classic status is rightly deserved. Exquisitely shot, with an excellent soundtrack and sterling performances. Highly recommended, especially for fans of Waits and Benigny. Also, it's the only film that makes me want ice cream....
    helpful•12
    7
    • evansthelegend
    • Nov 28, 2004

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 25, 1986 (Canada)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • West Germany
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
      • French
    • Also known as
      • Bajo el peso de la ley
    • Filming locations
      • Louisiana, USA
    • Production companies
      • Island Pictures
      • Black Snake
      • Grokenberger Film Produktion
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $1,100,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,435,668
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,529,199
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 47 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

    Related news

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    Roberto Benigni, Tom Waits, and John Lurie in Down by Law (1986)
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