Filmmaker G.W. Pabst's adaptation of Bertoldt Brecht and Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera (Die Dreisgoschenoper) is every bit as good as the stage original, and sometimes even better. Filmed in both German and French versions with different casts (a planned English-language version was abandoned), Threepenny is most readily available today in its German incarnation. Rudolf Forster stars as robber captain MacHeath -- aka Mackie Messer, or Mack the Knife -- who falls in love with Polly (Carola Neher), daughter of beggar king ...
Read More
Filmmaker G.W. Pabst's adaptation of Bertoldt Brecht and Kurt Weill's Threepenny Opera (Die Dreisgoschenoper) is every bit as good as the stage original, and sometimes even better. Filmed in both German and French versions with different casts (a planned English-language version was abandoned), Threepenny is most readily available today in its German incarnation. Rudolf Forster stars as robber captain MacHeath -- aka Mackie Messer, or Mack the Knife -- who falls in love with Polly (Carola Neher), daughter of beggar king Peachum (Fritz Rasp). Despising MacHeath, Peachum plots the thief's downfall with his best friend, corrupt police official Tiger Brown (Reinhold Schunzel). The satirical "happy ending" of the original -- MacHeath, en route to the gallows, suddenly and without motivation promoted to knighthood! -- is altered somewhat by Pabst and his scenarists to accommodate a swipe against Depression-era bankers. Lotte Lenya, Weill's wife, brilliantly repeats her stage role as Pirate Jenny. Stylistically, Threepenny Opera is a Georg Grosz drawing come to life; despite its 1890s London setting, the film's calculatedly tawdry veneer is clearly meant to represent the wide-open Berlin of the 1930s. For the record: the French version of Threepenny Opera starred Albert Prejean as MacHeath. Hal Erickson, Rovi
Read Less
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Rudolf Forster, Carola Neher, Margo Lion, Albert Prejean, Lotte Lenya, Ernst Busch, Gaston Modot, Valeska Gert, Fritz Rasp. Fine in very good packaging. Languages: French, German. Run time: 107 mins. Originally released: 1931. Nelson/Embassy Home Entertainment video release in original box. Slight rubbing on box, else fine. On hand and ready to ship right away. Same UPC code but different cover than pictured.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Lotte Lenya, Rudolf Forster. New. 1931 Run time: 110. Buy with confidence-Satisfaction Guaranteed! Delivery Confirmation included for all orders in the US.
![The Threepenny Opera [2 Discs] [Criterion Collection] - G.W. Pabst](https://www4.alibris-static.com/the-threepenny-opera-2-discs-criterion-collection/cover/u44015s6a14_l.jpg)
![The Threepenny Opera (the Criterion Collection) [Dvd]](https://www4.alibris-static.com/cover/u44015s6a14_t.jpg)
![The Threepenny Opera [2 Discs] [Criterion Collection]](https://www1.alibris-static.com/the-threepenny-opera-2-discs-criterion-collection/cover/u44015s6a14.jpg)
