Mack the Knife (1990)

DVD please!

Oh how I wish this was available on DVD and - even better - remastered.

I was looking for a DVD version because my VHS copy is tired. I bought it used many years ago and I rarely play it because I'm afraid it will go the way of all my other VHS tapes - munched by the player, or just worn out.

I've nothing to add to the other reviews, really. My only previous exposure to the Threepenny Opera had been through performances of the music completely out of context and I was thrilled when I recognized the songs in the movie. But if you get a chance to view this, please do.

It really is marvelously entertaining.
November 30, 2006

Most of a lost production...

When I was in my 20's, I was first introduced to The Threepenny Opera in the form of the Royal Shakespeare Company's production featuring Raul Julia as MacHeath. I was hooked. That wonderful version was on LP, and has not been released on CD. If this film had not been made, that version would have been completely lost- at least large parts of it are reproduced here. This film is the closest you will get to that version, with most, if not all, of the same actors in the same roles. Raul Julia really does make a wonderful MacHeath. Some of the lyrics have been changed and some songs left out, but oddly they tried to keep as much of the original flavor as possible, songs that were omitted due to length considerations are still given tribute by a brief musical interlude/ suggestion so if you are familiar with the play you can at least appreciate where they should have fit in though they are reduced to "ghosts". I only wish that it would have been possible to reproduce the entire musical- this is my main complaint though I truly enjoyed the movie- it was like seeing an "old friend" ( my LP was destroyed years ago and I can't find another one). Other versions have not been as satisfying. I especially enjoyed Julia's powerful rendition of MacHeath "Call From the Grave" as he is standing on the gallows. For those who are not familiar with the background, Threepenny was not based only on John Gay's "The Beggars Opera" it was also based pretty closely on the poetry of the early French poet and thief Francois Villon, a real person who may be the prototype for the character of MacHeath. There is a translation of a Villon poem which is also a call from the gallows which is eerily identical to the lyrics of this version. So if you are a Threepenny fan, check out Villon, both the Swinbourne translation and some of the later ones- you'll recognize a lot of material.
The music in this film is very similar to the 1999 Berlin version, and though that is understandably in German it is the closest complete version to the now lost Royal Shakespeare production which will always be my personal favorite. July 27, 2004

enjoyable and fun

This movie is a fun, accessible version of the Threepenny Opera, a great introduction to Brecht's work with a well-cast ensemble. It makes a good double feature with The Beggars Opera starring none other than Roger Daltrey- nice to explore the 20th century alterations Brecht made in his adaptation of John Gay's original play. As far as the complaints about Mack the Knife being untrue to the "original" script- even during Brecht's time the play underwent constant revision (he found it acceptable to have his actors on stage reading the newly-altered script in their hands on opening night!) Both the Barbara Song and Pirate Jenny changed performers dependent on the strength of the actress playing the role. I have seen too many versions of this play to count and one of the things that is so delightful about Brecht's work is the multitudinous interpretations of his "intent" - when it comes to Brecht it's time to throw out the Canon and get the social message, tap your toes and enjoy. Strong singing performances and choreography, the acid bitterness of poverty, and exposed sexuality all make this movie a good one. June 14, 2003

Very underrated version. First rate!

I'm a huge fan of Threepenny Opera, having seen my first performance as a teenager: the stupendous Off-Broadway revival with Lotte Lenya, Charlotte Rae & Beatrice Arthur. I went back to see it a year later with James Mitchell as Macheath & Ed Asner was Mr. Peachum.

I've seen every production I could since then. I've seen bald Mackeys & fat Mackeys & gay Mackeys. This is a highly versatile work. It has a brilliant score; in my opinion it's the greatest piece of musical theater of the 20th century.

I was surprised how captivating this film version is, especially considering that it has been virtually buried since its release. That's a real shame. The singing is magnificent & the dances were wonderful & fit perfectly with the theme of the piece. The costumes & sets are first-rate. Richard Harris gives the best performance I've seen him do on-screen (except for Wrestling Ernest Hemingway). Migenes as Jenny & Walters as Ms. Peachum are sensational. Raul Julia's terrific. Even the crowd scenes, which are so key to this piece, are surprisingly effective, with plenty of idiosyncratic faces & expressions in the roiling multitudes. Perhaps the key is that the production was filmed in Hungary.

I only have 2 quibbles: cut or transposed songs and the used of the "orthodox" translation (or a blend of Bltzstein & orthodox). It's been the vogue for years to put down Marc Blitzstein's libretto (which was the one used in the 1950's productions) as too "watered-down" in favor of the Eric Bentley-influenced more literal translations. This is unfortunate because the Blitzstein lyrics are idiomatic & immediate. They bring the characters that much more to life. The message of bitterness & anger doesn't go away just because the text isn't embedded with germanic sentence-structures (or a few 4-letter words).

Boy would I love to have a letterboxed DVD of this. May 29, 2003

Dark fun

I also agree, Bobby Darrin has NOTHING to do with the original spirit of "ThreePenny Opera", no offense.

This show, if done as intended, will be fun and baudy, while at the same time, making the audience a little uncomfortable. That is the main essence of the piece, and I think this film captures it admirably. Sexy, rowdy, fun, and with an air of doom the entire time. I was a bit put off about them giving "Barbara Song" to Polly instead of Lucy, it changes the entire meaning of the song. Perhaps I'm just biased because I performed and loved that song. But none of the liberties taken with the material were unforgiveable in my opinion. The Tango number between Mack and Jenny is the best part, an edge-of-your-seat type sexiness and danger.

So don't let loyalty to the original format ruin your enjoyment of this film. Don't miss out!

Courtney Hebert Student at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy July 5, 2001

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