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The Beggar's Opera

5.119531h 34mNRMovieHistoryCrimeMusic

Adaptation of John Gay's 18th century opera, featuring Laurence Olivier as MacHeath and Hugh Griffith as the Beggar.

DirectorPeter Brook
WritersDenis Cannan·Christopher Fry
ProducersHerbert Wilcox·Laurence Olivier

Where to watch

Availability shown for Australia · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Peter Brook

LOLaurence Olivier
Laurence Olivier
MacHeath
HGHugh Griffith
Hugh Griffith
The Beggar
GRGeorge Rose
George Rose
1st Turnkey
SBStuart Burge
Stuart Burge
1st Prisoner
CC
Cyril Conway
2nd Prisoner
GL
Gerald Lawson
3rd Prisoner
DTDorothy Tutin
Dorothy Tutin
Polly Peachum
GDGeorge Devine
George Devine
Peachum
MCMary Clare
Mary Clare
Mrs. Peachum
EP
Edward Pryor
Filch
ASAthene Seyler
Athene Seyler
Mrs. Trapes
SHStanley Holloway
Stanley Holloway
Mr. Lockit

More from Laurence Olivier · Lead actor

Great Performances
Great Performances
1971 · 6.1
Omnibus
Omnibus
1967 · 7.2
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969 · 7.0
Spartacus
Spartacus
1960 · 7.5
Peter the Great
Peter the Great
1986 · 7.9
The Bounty
The Bounty
1984 · 6.8
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth
1977 · 7.8
The World at War
The World at War
1973 · 8.3
A Bridge Too Far
A Bridge Too Far
1977 · 7.2
Clash of the Titans
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1981 · 6.9
See all fromLaurence Olivier

More from Hugh Griffith · Co-star actor

Thirty-Minute Theatre
Thirty-Minute Theatre
1965 · 4.3
Playhouse
Playhouse
1974 · 7.0
Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur
1959 · 7.9
ABC Stage 67
ABC Stage 67
1966 · 6.8
Colonel March of Scotland Yard
Colonel March of Scotland Yard
1956 · 7.5
Orson Welles' Great Mysteries
Orson Welles' Great Mysteries
1973 · 6.8
The Million Pound Note
The Million Pound Note
1954 · 7.0
The Abominable Dr. Phibes
The Abominable Dr. Phibes
1971 · 7.0
Oliver!
Oliver!
1968 · 7.0
How to Steal a Million
How to Steal a Million
1966 · 7.5
See all fromHugh Griffith

More from Peter Brook · Director

Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies
1963 · 6.7
Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni
2002 · 10.0
King Lear
King Lear
1970 · 6.5
The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade
The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade
1967 · 6.2
The Mahabharata
The Mahabharata
1990 · 6.0
The Mahabharata
The Mahabharata
1990 · 7.1
La Cerisaie
La Cerisaie
1982 · 4.7
Tell Me Lies
Tell Me Lies
1968 · 6.4
Seven Days… Seven Nights
Seven Days… Seven Nights
1960 · 6.2
Meetings with Remarkable Men
Meetings with Remarkable Men
1979 · 6.7
See all fromPeter Brook

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The Beggar's Opera — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Beggar's Opera?

The Beggar's Opera isn't on any subscription service in Australia right now, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video. It's not on Netflix.

Is The Beggar's Opera on Netflix?

No, The Beggar's Opera is not on Netflix in Australia as of September 2026. You can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Is The Beggar's Opera on Amazon Prime Video?

The Beggar's Opera isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in Australia, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch The Beggar's Opera for free?

The Beggar's Opera isn't available free in Australia; you can only rent or buy it on Amazon Video.