
In nineteenth century London, a young girl falls for a famous womanizing criminal, and they decide to get married. Her family strongly disapproves, so her father, "the king of thieves", gets the gangster arrested.... (Full plot summary below)
Enjoy FREE movies and series with your Prime (USA) subscription or when you start a 30-day free trial!
Links compiled using automated software. Availability of offers subject to change / might be region specific / out of date.
In nineteenth century London, a young girl falls for a famous womanizing criminal, and they decide to get married. Her family strongly disapproves, so her father, "the king of thieves", gets the gangster arrested.
Leave your thoughts about Mack the Knife.
| Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertThe movie is finally just a slog through a half-digested plot, involving half-understood characters who bear the names, but not the meanings or the spirits, of the Brecht and Weill originals. |
| User ReviewKieni SSurprisingingly,I liked it a lot! The early Berlin recordings of Threepenny are still my Dave,and I like the storyline of the Pabst film version better,but this movie is extremely entertaining,and this version of the music is invigorating. Sure,the over the top Broadway style seems a bit silly at first,but it really is a thrilling film to watch. The vast majority of Threepenny interpretations I find unlistenable ( it should not be performed as a LITERAL opera,in my opinion) but I get a kick out of this. Wish it were on dvd, and wish it had English subtitles,however! |
| User ReviewMatt HAn entertaining movie adaptation of Bertolt Brechts and Kurt Weills 'The Threepenny Opera" with speed, fun and a notable cast with outstanding performances by Julie Walters and Richard Harris as Mr. and Mrs. Peachum. I did not like the dance numbers though. But overall I'm surprised of the films quality. I found it hidden in the library for 50ct. "Laughable!" |
| User ReviewElijahAwesome cast. Great orchestrations. Cinematography could be better and the script needs shortening, or the excised songs should be returned...but overall, the only English language version of Threepenny Opera worth seeing. |
| User ReviewElijah BDefinitely, this film should be released on DVD. It's the only version worth watching in English. It should not be compared to the original Pabst version, but this is mpore light hearted and musical. It features Marc Blitstein's adaptations of the lyrics and a full orchestra. Raul Julia plays Mack the Knife and Richard Harris is Peachum. Rodger Daltrey is the Street Singer and carries "Ballad of Mack the Knife" so much better than Sammy Davis Jr. did in the 1960s version. The ending dragged a little and was much too trite, but it stayed true to the Kurt Weill music. My suggestion would be just to start with the soundtrack for this film and if you still want to see it, you wpn't be dispappointed. |
| User ReviewDave SThe most exciting thing about this is the fact that it exists at all - an adaptation of "The Threepenny Opera" from the director of "The Apple" starring Raul Julia and Roger Daltrey? |