Žebrácká opera

The story of old London´s underworld was first treated in his own time by John Gay, to be taken up later by Kurt Weill and Bertolt Brecht (in The Threepenny Opera), and, most recently, by the playwright and President of the Czech Republic, Václav Havel. The latter´s play was turned into film by Jiří Menzel whose witty rendition of the costume piece yielded a highly entertaining assemblage interlaced with humorous and philosophical reflections on criminal themes. A cameo part was shouldered by Jeremy Irons who was making another movie locally at the time of this one´s shooting and was thus able to fulfil a previous friendly "obligation" towards Jiří Menzel.

Year Of Production: 1991
Running time: 95 minutes
Produced by: Film Studios Barrandov
Genre: comedy/musical
Language Versions: Czech
Directed By: Jiří Menzel, Menahem Golan
Screenplay: Jiří Menzel, Václav Havel
Awards and nominations:
1991 IFF Toronto ? Honorary Diploma