The Threepenny Opera (The Criterion Collection) [DVD]

First of all: I'm happy to report that "The Threepenny Opera" DVD arrived on time and adequately sealed. Upon beginning to watch it: I expected the movie to be in the German language, since that was how it was originally filmed in 1931. However: I was disappointed upon discovering there wasn't an English Language version on the Disc. If it was included and I missed it, however: I'm deeply sorry. For those of you who don't already know all about me: I'm totally blind! Consequently: Disc 2 of "The Threepenny Opera" was of no use to me whatsoever! There is no dialog on the entire Disc; but only captions in English and French. At least that's what a sighted person told me when I requested his assistance. Anyhow: I rated this item to my personal tastes. Nevertheless: I'm certain most people would enjoy it immensely; providing they possessed the patience to read the screen! As for me: I am proud to own the original movie of The Threepenny Opera". Furthermore: Lotte Lenya gives a phenomenal and fabulous performance! as a result: I wouldn't part with this for the proverbial world!

Once a staple of critics' ten best ever lists, neither version of G.W. Pabst's once controversial adaptation of The Threepenny Opera offered on this impressive two-disc set has quite stood the test of time as well as hoped. Shot in different languages and with different casts - fairly commonplace in the early days of sound - they do make an interesting contrast, though. The German version has a harder heart, more severity and the better rendition of Mack the Knife, but the lighter French version has a more charming Mack the Knife (or Mackie the Knifeman as they insist on calling him) in Albert Prejean: it's hard to see Rudolf Forster's German incarnation, more prop than performance, being able to dominate a housewife let alone the London underworld. Fine technique and great production design, but it often feels more of a technical exercise than a real cry from the streets.Any disappointment in the films are amply compensated for with the great extras on the Criterion Region 1 NTSC DVD, though, including a rather interesting documentary on the doomed lawsuit Brecht launched against Pabst for distorting his work alongside both the French and German versions. Curiously another extra on the differences between the two versions reveals that Brecht was more excited about the casting of the French Polly Peachum (Florelle) than the German one (Carola Neher) because he and Lotte loved her voice. Unfortunately she's not as commanding as she needs to be when taking over the gang, but ain't that always the problem with screen musicals - you either get someone who can sing but can't act or someone who can act but can't sing. (Incidentally, Antonin Artaud turns up as the 'new beggar' in the French version.)

I have been waiting for a quality restoration for DVD of this masterpiece for a long time. As usual, Criterion Collection does not disappoint. It should be made clear from the outset, though, that this is definitely Pabst's cinematic reworking of "Threepenny Opera", and not really the work as Brecht intended it. Indeed, it is well-known that Brecht fought Pabst's interpretation fiercely, and was barred from the set of the film. Still, most of the score is still present, superbly performed, with Brecht's incomparably acerbic lyrics intact. {Brecht's poetry in general and his song lyrics in particular have never been satisfactorily translated, and can be fully appreciated only in German.) The major link in this film between Brecht's original concept and Pabst's version is surely the presence of Lotte Lenya, whose performance (particularly of "Seeraeuberjenny"} is well worth the price of the DVD all by itself!Pabst has created a film version of "Threepenny Opera" which, while not Brecht's own vision of the piece, goes a long way towaard showing us what musical theatre can (and should more often) be.

Berthold Brecht was reputedly (by those who knew him) a first class swine and a phoney Communist - but so what? He wrote the best poetry-play of all time in the Dreigrasschenoper - even if the did steal the story and plot - hr still did the best job of presenting it to the world and it still lives.It would have benefitted from better sound reproducing techniques and color but that can't be nor can we haul the first-rateactors out of their graves - - - but that is not to be so I'm satisfied with what we've got. It's first-rate!!!

A musical crime drama of sorts, I've been hearing about it for decades, but only got around to seeing it recently. I have to say I should have seen it long ago!

I like the Criterion version, but I understand that a revised and remastered edition of this film was made recently -- or so says TCM.Can anyone tell me more?

I saw this on an obscure VHS tape. Fantastic. Never had I seen Brecht done so well. Smooth and Jagged. This film was haunting me for years. Never thought that I could see it again. Wham!!!! Criterion does it again. I am sure that the picture will be great. I have yet to purchase on dismal video image from Criterion.Thank you Criterion for making this fantastic film for sale.moe armstrong

Considering the film had b been made in 1931, the restoration is simply excellent. Also the documentary about the film was a most welcome bonus.It arrived in good time and in very good condition.

Beautifully restored black and white art house film.

Film méconnu présenté dans sa double version (française et allemande). La version allemande est bien restaurée, au contraire d ela version française qui est offerte comme un bonus. Ce compte parmi les réussites de Pabst.