The Threepenny Opera - Criterion Collection (1931)

A Classic?

"The Threepenny Opera" (Die 3groschenoper")

A Classic?

Amos Lassen

In 1931, "The Threepenny Opera" was filmed and still remains a masterpiece. I just got my Criterion edition of the film and have already watched it twice. Not only is it an important reflection of the social scene in pre-war Germany, but it is magical. In the few years before the Nazis overtook the German movie industry, Kurt Weill managed to get his operetta filmed with a wonderful cast that included his wife Lotte Lenya as Jenny. The film, even with the language barrier gives us songs that have become part of us.
"Threepenny" is a cynical film. The leader of the Guild of Thieves gets married to the daughter of the leader of the Guild of Beggars and friction comes into being between the two organizations, both highly respected and professional. Every crime known to man transpires and all those involved have the time of their lives. The movie balks cynically at government, crime, the bourgeoisie, misanthropy and corruption.
The book is the collaborative effort of Bertolt Brecht and Elizabeth Hauptmann and is a take-off of John Gay's "The Beggar's Opera". Directed by G.W. Pabst, the film has some outstanding moments and his direction as well as the camera work is amazing. The songs by Kurt Weill are still heard today--notably "Mack the Knife" and "Pirate Jenny".
Many consider the film to be a classic and it has certainly lasted but it does fall short of being a masterpiece. Some of the individual scenes are absolutely wonderful but others fall flat. The film is gritty and somewhat flat. I love it myself but I love it for what it is--a look at German film culture that had great potential. And of course it is an opportunity to see the amazing Lotte Lenya.
June 15, 2008

GREAT film, GREAT edition

Though the movie is way off from what Brecht intended in his
stage play, this is THE movie of Threepenny Opera. And it has
Lotte Lenya repeating her role of Jenny that she created in the
original Berlin production. Of much interest the french version,
which was filmed simultanously in the same sets with french actors.
Beautifully designed booklet, loads of interesing bonus material
A great film - A great edition - A great buy March 15, 2008

Great Film...but the extras....

The film is wonderful. The restoration of the print is shockingly beautiful. I have seen the film many times before, but watching this version was like seeing a whole new film.

The extras are a mixed bag--and aren't they a big part of why we buy Criterion editions? Some are interesting. (Having the entire French version is cool.) But the commentary is really bad. The two profs speaking have only a simpleminded understanding of Brecht's theory of Epic Theater, Gestus, Lehrstuck, etc so their "explanations" are more misleading than informative.

Also, some misinformation in the documentaries. For example, one film expert claims there is link between the stage musical and Weimar cabaret. Lenya famously said that she and Weill never set foot in a cabaret and anyone familiar with what went on there would recognize there was little connection. However, someone who only knows the Weimar cabaret genre from the Kander and Ebb musical which borrows from Threepenny might imagine there is a connection. But shouldn't scholars correct misconceptions, rather than promoting them?

If there was a better commentary track and more accurate documentaries, this would be five-star. February 16, 2008

If you don't like the changes from the play, blame Brecht!

Several other reviewers here have complained about the substantial differences between the movie and Brecht's stage version. If you review the bonus materials that come with this lovely Criterion edition, you'll learn that the main reason that the film is so different is that Brecht himself made vast changes to his own play after he was hired to be the screenwriter (so many changes, in fact, that he ended up getting fired and sued by the film's producers, who had wanted the movie to track the hit stage version). Nevertheless, even though Brecht ended up at war with the filmmakers, most of the variations that exist between the film and the stageplay are based on changes Brecht himself made as a screenwriter.

As for the film itself, it's remarkable (at least, as long as you're forgiving of its differences from the play). I particularly like the fact that Criterion has included both the superior German language version and a French version that was also created (with different actors) for release in France. The superiority of the German actors' performance is why that version is so much better--but it's a novelty to be able to compare the two (which were shot one after the other on the same sets). Happy viewing! January 29, 2008

Wonderful collection...

Years ago there was a film version of "Three Penny" cobbled together from release prints. This edition was put together from original negatives. Excellent visuals and sound, in German and French versions. This famous film is definitely different than the stage version, but has its own charm an power. November 16, 2007

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