THE THREEPENNY OPERA (1931 musical film)


Details
“The Gangster Macheath secretly marries the daughter of beggar king Peachum. When the father finds out, he instructs police chief Brown to arrest and hang Macheath. If not, all the beggars of Soho will disturb the upcoming coronation.”
This is an online movie and play discussion group. READING THE PLAY IS OPTIONAL, although doing so will increase your appreciation for the film and its theatrical roots.
The Film:
THE THREEPENNY OPERA (1931)
Original title: "Die Dreigroschenoper"
Directed by G.W. Pabst
Based on the 1928 play with music by Bertolt Brecht, Kurt Weill and Elisabeth Hauptmann
After John Gay and Johann Christoph Pepusch’s 1728 ballad opera “The Beggars Opera”
Adapted by Léo Lania, Ladislaus Vajda, Béla Balázs, Solange Bussy, André Mauprey and Ninon Steinhoff
In German with English subtitles
1 hour 52 mins.
Available to stream at https://youtu.be/xX883eqLBKE?si=1E9IOi5Ce7ZiV3JB and Kanopy, and with premium subscriptions with Criterion Channel, Max, YouTube TV, Hulu and Roku.
The Book and Lyrics:
THE THREEPENNY OPERA
Book and lyrics by Bertolt Brecht
After John Gay and Johann Christoph Pepusch’s 1728 ballad opera “The Beggars Opera”
Translated by Ralph Manheim and John Willett
First performed in 1928
(starts on page 64)
https://archive.org/details/threepennyoperab0000brec/page/64/mode/1up
Of Interest:
The Criterion Podcast, EPISODE 159 – G.W. PABST’S THE THREEPENNY OPERA, and links to many other sites with essays on the film:
https://criterioncast.com/podcast/criterioncast-episodes/151-200/episode-159-g-w-pabsts-the-threepenny-opera


THE THREEPENNY OPERA (1931 musical film)