#405: PABST, Georg Wilhelm: The Threepenny Opera (1931)

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PABST, Georg Wilhelm (Germany)
The Threepenny Opera [1931]
Spine #405
DVD


The sly melodies of composer Kurt Weill and the daring of dramatist Bertolt Brecht come together on-screen under the direction of German auteur G. W. Pabst (Pandora's Box) in this classic adaptation of the Weimer-era theatrical sensation. Set in the impoverished back alleys of Victorian London, The Threepenny Opera follows underworld antihero Mackie Messer (a.k.a. Mack the Knife) as he tries to woo Polly Peachum and elude the authorities. With its palpable evocation of corruption and dread, set to Weill's irresistible score, The Threepenny Opera remains a benchmark of early sound cinema. It is presented here in both its celebrated German and rare French versions.

110 minutes
Black & White
Monaural
in German
1:19:1 aspect ratio
Criterion Release 2007
Director/Writers


From the play by Bertolt Brecht.
Screenplay by Béla Balázs, Léo Lania, and Ladislaus Vajda.
Georg Wilhelm Pabst was 46 when he directed The Threepenny Opera.

Other Pabst films in the Collection:

#358: Pandora's Box (1929)
#907: Westfront 1918 (1930)
#908: Kameraschaft (1931)

The Film

Film Rating (0-60):

60

The Extras

The Booklet

Twenty-eight page booklet featuring an essay by Tony Rayns.

Commentary

By scholars David Bathrick and Eric Rentschler.

Archival introduction

By Threepenny stars Rasp and Busch.

Documentary

On Threepenny’s controversial journey from stage to screen.

 L’opéra de quat’sous

Pabst’s French-language version of the film, starring Albert Préjean and Florelle.

Multimedia

Presentation of film scholar Charles O’Brien on the differences between the English and French versions.

Archival interview

With actor Rasp.

Galleries

Of production photos by Hans Casparius and production sketches by art director Andrej Andrejew.
Extras Rating (0-40):

39

60 + 39 =

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