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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
WritersChristopher Fry·Denis Cannan
ProducersHerbert Wilcox·Laurence Olivier

Where to watch

HBO Max Amazon ChannelHBO Max Amazon ChannelHBO MaxHBO Max
Availability shown for United States · 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
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1967 · 7.2
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
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1969 · 7.0
Spartacus
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1960 · 7.5
The World at War
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1973 · 8.3
Jesus of Nazareth
Jesus of Nazareth
1977 · 7.8
A Bridge Too Far
A Bridge Too Far
1977 · 7.2
Romeo and Juliet
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1968 · 7.4
Rebecca
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1940 · 7.9
Clash of the Titans
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1981 · 6.9
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More from Hugh Griffith · Co-star actor

Playhouse
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1974 · 7.0
Thirty-Minute Theatre
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1965 · 4.2
Orson Welles' Great Mysteries
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1973 · 6.8
Ben-Hur
Ben-Hur
1959 · 7.9
ABC Stage 67
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1966 · 6.8
Colonel March of Scotland Yard
Colonel March of Scotland Yard
1956 · 7.5
How to Steal a Million
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1966 · 7.5
Kind Hearts and Coronets
Kind Hearts and Coronets
1949 · 7.6
Oliver!
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1968 · 7.0
The Canterbury Tales
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1972 · 6.1
See all fromHugh Griffith

More from Peter Brook · Director

Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies
1963 · 6.7
The Mahabharata
The Mahabharata
1990 · 6.0
The Mahabharata
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1990 · 7.1
Meetings with Remarkable Men
Meetings with Remarkable Men
1979 · 6.7
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
Seven Days… Seven Nights
Seven Days… Seven Nights
1960 · 6.2
King Lear
King Lear
1970 · 6.5
Red, White, and Zero
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1968 · 5.0
Tell Me Lies
Tell Me Lies
1968 · 6.4
Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni
2002 · 10.0
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The Beggar's Opera — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The Beggar's Opera?

The Beggar's Opera is streaming on HBO Max in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The Beggar's Opera on Netflix?

No, The Beggar's Opera is not on Netflix in United States as of October 2026. It's currently on HBO Max.

Is The Beggar's Opera on Amazon Prime Video?

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

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

The Beggar's Opera is available on HBO Max in United States, but you'll need an active subscription — there's no free option right now.