The Beggar's Opera poster
Where to stream

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
ProducersLaurence Olivier·Herbert Wilcox

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
Omnibus
1967 · 7.2
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
ITV Saturday Night Theatre
1969 · 7.0
Spartacus
Spartacus
1960 · 7.5
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
Wuthering Heights
Wuthering Heights
1939 · 7.2
Clash of the Titans
Clash of the Titans
1981 · 6.9
Romeo and Juliet
Romeo and Juliet
1968 · 7.4
See all fromLaurence Olivier

More from Hugh Griffith · Co-star actor

Playhouse
Playhouse
1974 · 7.0
Thirty-Minute Theatre
Thirty-Minute Theatre
1965 · 4.3
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
The Million Pound Note
The Million Pound Note
1954 · 7.0
Orson Welles' Great Mysteries
Orson Welles' Great Mysteries
1973 · 6.8
Oliver!
Oliver!
1968 · 7.0
Mutiny on the Bounty
Mutiny on the Bounty
1962 · 7.1
The Abominable Dr. Phibes
The Abominable Dr. Phibes
1971 · 7.0
See all fromHugh Griffith

More from Peter Brook · Director

Don Giovanni
Don Giovanni
2002 · 10.0
Lord of the Flies
Lord of the Flies
1963 · 6.7
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
Tell Me Lies
Tell Me Lies
1968 · 6.4
The Mahabharata
The Mahabharata
1990 · 7.1
Red, White, and Zero
Red, White, and Zero
1968 · 5.0
Seven Days… Seven Nights
Seven Days… Seven Nights
1960 · 6.2
Ride of the Valkyrie
Ride of the Valkyrie
1977 · 6.3
See all fromPeter Brook

More like this

Step Up
Step Up
2006 · 6.9
Judy
Judy
2019 · 6.7
Les Misérables: 25th Anniversary in Concert
Les Misérables: 25th Anniversary in Concert
2010 · 8.3
Köln 75
Köln 75
2025 · 7.1
Amadeus
Amadeus
1984 · 8.0
American Pop
American Pop
1981 · 6.9
The Visitor
The Visitor
2008 · 7.1
Love & Mercy
Love & Mercy
2015 · 7.1
Connie and Carla
Connie and Carla
2004 · 5.9
Coal Miner's Daughter
Coal Miner's Daughter
1980 · 7.2
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre
The St. Valentine's Day Massacre
1967 · 6.3
Pavarotti
Pavarotti
2019 · 7.3

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 September 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.