The Beggar's Opera
Žebrácká opera
Synopsis
Unlike any other opera, the so-called Beggar's Opera is not just one composition, but a lineage of adapted compositions, beginning with the original hugely successful 1728 political satire written by Englishman John Gay. Composers and writers have penned variations on it ever since. The most famous of these was A Threepenny Opera by Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Some things these compositions share in common is their setting among the poor and criminal classes, and the roguish character Macheath. This production is based on an adaptation of Gay's original by Vaclav Havel the freedom-fighter, writer and philosopher who became the first (and only) president of the united post-communist country of Czechoslovakia, and it retains many traces of its theatrical origins. Film reviewers were not too tolerant of what they called "slavish adherence" to the noted Czech writer's stage production, but theater, philosophy and history buffs may feel otherwise.
Top Cast
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Josef Abrhám
Macheath
Marián Labuda
Peachum
Nina Divíšková
Elizabeth Peachum
Libuše Šafránková
Jenny
Rudolf Hrušínský
Lockit
Veronika Freimanová
Lucy
Barbora Leichnerová
Polly
Jiří Zahajský
Harry Filch
Oldřich Vízner
Jim
Ondřej Vetchý
Jack
Jeremy Irons
Prisoner
Jana Břežková
Mary Lockit
Kateřina Frýbová
Diana
Jana Švandová
Mahulena Bočanová
Vicky
Naďa Kotršová
Ingrid
Miloslav Štibich
Rudolf Hrušínský
Policeman
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Jiří Menzel
- Screenplay & Story
- Václav Havel, Jiří Menzel
- Original Score
- Jan Klusák
- Original Title
- Žebrácká opera
- Country of Origin
- Czechoslovakia
- Spoken Languages
- Czech
- Runtime
- 1h 34m
- Production Studios
- Filmové studio Barrandov
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Jiří Menzel
Václav Havel, Jiří Menzel, John Gay
Jan Klusák
Jaromír Šofr
Jiří Brožek
Jan Šuster
Department Leadership Roster
Jiří Menzel
Director
Jan Klusák
Original Music Composer
Jaromír Šofr
Director of Photography
Jiří Brožek
Editor
Václav Havel
Screenplay
Jiří Menzel
Screenplay
Zbyněk Hloch
Production Design
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Beggar's Opera
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is The Beggar's Opera about?
Unlike any other opera, the so-called Beggar's Opera is not just one composition, but a lineage of adapted compositions, beginning with the original hugely successful 1728 political satire written by Englishman John Gay. Composers and writers have penned variations on it ever since. The most famous of these was A Threepenny Opera by Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Some things these compositions share in common is their setting among the poor and criminal classes, and the roguish character Macheath. This production is based on an adaptation of Gay's original by Vaclav Havel the freedom-fighter, writer and philosopher who became the first (and only) president of the united post-communist country of Czechoslovakia, and it retains many traces of its theatrical origins. Film reviewers were not too tolerant of what they called "slavish adherence" to the noted Czech writer's stage production, but theater, philosophy and history buffs may feel otherwise.
Who directed The Beggar's Opera?
The Beggar's Opera was directed by Jiří Menzel.
Who stars in The Beggar's Opera?
The principal cast of The Beggar's Opera includes Josef Abrhám, Marián Labuda, Nina Divíšková, Libuše Šafránková, Rudolf Hrušínský.
When was The Beggar's Opera released and how long is it?
The Beggar's Opera was released in 1991 with a total runtime of 1h 34m.
Who composed the musical score for The Beggar's Opera?
The original motion picture soundtrack for The Beggar's Opera was composed by Jan Klusák.