Captain Macheath (Laurence Olivier), captured by Peachum and Lockit (Stanley Holloway), is brought to Newgate. Peter Brook's 1953 film version of John Gay's opera.
It would be hard to imagine a version more out of step with the source material than this. It’s meant to be riotously funny, outrageous, and a biting satire.
Olivier hated his vocals in this purely because all of the other actors were overdubbed by professional opera singers. He chose to sing the parts himself. I actually think he does a great job.
@@AllanJanus I agree. But let me mention Peter Brook's inspired direction too. Brilliant pace, brilliant camera shots, brilliant editing. This is an outstanding piece of work.
Didn't make a great impression on British cinema when released, don't know why, this gem of a story came out overdue, that and the lovely Dorothy Tutin.
I first got this on tape at the age of 12...nearly 30 years later and I love it as much as I did then.
It would be hard to imagine a version more out of step with the source material than this. It’s meant to be riotously funny, outrageous, and a biting satire.
I am so thankful to you for uploading this. I'm playing Macheath in a production of The Beggar's Opera andhave been DYING to see Olivier's take on it.
Olivier hated his vocals in this purely because all of the other actors were overdubbed by professional opera singers. He chose to sing the parts himself. I actually think he does a great job.
I read that in his autobiography. I think he's great, too.
@@AllanJanus I agree. But let me mention Peter Brook's inspired direction too. Brilliant pace, brilliant camera shots, brilliant editing. This is an outstanding piece of work.
In his autobiography, Olivier was at least as critical of his singing in "Beggar's Opera" as you are!
I loved this a lot.Can the whole film be put up on youtube?
Olivier does a really good job here. His diction is so distinctive, it's better that he did it.
Didn't make a great impression on British cinema when released, don't know why, this gem of a story came out overdue, that and the lovely Dorothy Tutin.
+Boyd Mason Olivier said he hated his performance in his autobiography, I think it's great, though.
Twang dang dilodee...