Synopsis
Unlike any other opera, the so-called Beggar's Opera is not just one composition, but a lineage of adapted compositions, beginning with the original hugely successful 1728 political satire written by Englishman John Gay. Composers and writers have penned variations on it ever since. The most famous of these was A Threepenny Opera by Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Some things these compositions share in common is their setting among the poor and criminal classes, and the roguish character Macheath. This production is based on an adaptation of Gay's original by Vaclav Havel the freedom-fighter, writer and philosopher who became the first (and only) president of the united post-communist country of Czechoslovakia, and it retains many traces of its theatrical origins. Film reviewers were not too tolerant of what they called "slavish adherence" to the noted Czech writer's stage production, but theater, philosophy and history buffs may feel otherwise.
Movie Information
- Director
- Jiří Menzel
- Writers
- Václav Havel, Jiří Menzel
- Release Year
- 1991
- Runtime
- 94 minutes
- Genre
- Comedy
- Language
- CS
- Country
- Czechoslovakia
- Status
- Released
- Rating
- 5.2 / 10 (4 votes)
Top Cast
Ready to watch The Beggar's Opera?
Pick a streaming source and press play — free, HD, no signup.
▶ Watch The Beggar's Opera FreeSimilar Movies
You May Also Like
More Comedy Movies
More with Josef Abrhám
More from Jiří Menzel
Trending Now
Popular This Week
Explore related titles
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch The Beggar's Opera online for free?
You can watch The Beggar's Opera (1991) online for free in HD on FreeFlix. No signup or subscription is required — just open this page and click play.
Is The Beggar's Opera available in HD?
Yes. FreeFlix offers The Beggar's Opera in full HD with multiple mirror sources, so if one source is slow you can switch in one click.
What is The Beggar's Opera about?
Unlike any other opera, the so-called Beggar's Opera is not just one composition, but a lineage of adapted compositions, beginning with the original hugely successful 1728 political satire written by Englishman John Gay. Composers and writers have penned variations on it ever since. The most famous of these was A Threepenny Opera by Bertholt Brecht and Kurt Weill. Some things these compositions share in common is their setting among the poor and criminal classes, and the roguish character Macheath. This production is based on an adaptation of Gay's original by Vaclav Havel the freedom-fighter, writer and philosopher who became the first (and only) president of the united post-communist country of Czechoslovakia, and it retains many traces of its theatrical origins. Film reviewers were not too tolerant of what they called "slavish adherence" to the noted Czech writer's stage production, but theater, philosophy and history buffs may feel otherwise.
Do I need to register or pay?
No. FreeFlix is completely free, with no registration, account, credit card, or hidden charges.