Mack the Knife is a 1989 romantic comedy musical film written and directed by Menahem Golan, a film adaptation of the 1928 Brecht/Weill musical The Threepenny Opera. The film stars Raúl Juliá as Captain Macheath (reprising his Tony-nominated role from Richard Foreman 1974 revival of Opera), Richard Harris as Mr. Peachum, Julia Migenes as Jenny Diver, Julie Walters as Mrs. Peachum, and Roger Daltrey as the Street Singer. Brecht and Weill's score and libretto was adapted by Golan, Marc Blitzstein, and Dov Seltzer.
Plot
In 19th century London, young Polly Peachum falls for the famous womanizing criminal Macheath and they decide to get married, but because of her family's disapproval, her father ("the king of thieves") has Macheath arrested.
Cast
Raúl Juliá as Macheath
Richard Harris as Mr. Peachum
Julia Migenes as Jenny Diver
Roger Daltrey as The Street Singer
Julie Walters as Mrs. Peachum
Bill Nighy as "Tiger" Brown
Rachel Robertson as Polly Peachum
Clive Revill as Matthew "Money Matthew" Erin Donovan as Lucy Brown Louise Plowright as Dolly Elizabeth Seal as Molly Chrissie Kendall as Betty Mark Northover as Jimmy "Jewels"
Production
Juliá reprises the role of Macheath which won him a Tony nomination for a 1976 revival on Broadway. The film shows obvious signs of last minute editing, including several musical numbers that appear on the soundtrack album but are not in the final cut.
Home media
The film has never been released on DVD and as of April 2022, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has yet to announce any plans for a DVD or Blu-Ray release.