The Beggar's Opera

Oct 5 1953 Approved 1h 34m
Crime, History, Musical

Adaptation of John Gay's 18th century opera, featuring Laurence Olivier as MacHeath and Hugh Griffith as the Beggar.

Plot

Authentic rendering of John Gay's eighteenth century musical, filmed in Technicolor, about Captain MacHeath, a highwayman, and his love for too many beautiful women. Betrayed by Jenny and Sukey, two of his bygone lovers, and temporarily freed by two others, MacHeath is arrested and condemned to death. While waiting to be hanged, the Captain is entertained by a musical beggar, who has written an opera of which the highwayman is the hero.

Written by

John Gay, Denis Cannan, Christopher Fry

Directed by

Peter Brook

Production Countries

United Kingdom

Production Companies

British Lion Films, Herbert Wilcox Productions

Languages

English

Awards

N/A

Scores
# of Votes
417
Average Rating
6.1 out of 10
Metascore
NA
Popularity
NA