Film Still

Down by Law

Jim Jarmusch

United States

1986

107 minutes

Black and White

1.77:1

English

166

Synopsis

When fate lands three hapless men—an unemployed disc jockey (Tom Waits), a small-time pimp (John Lurie), and a strong-willed Italian tourist (Roberto Benigni)—in a Louisiana prison, their singular adventure begins. Described by director Jim Jarmusch as a “neo–Beat noir comedy,” Down by Law is part nightmare and part fairy tale, featuring fine performances and crisp black-and-white photography by esteemed cinematographer Robby Müller.

Cast

ZackTom Waits
JackJohn Lurie
RobertoRoberto Benigni
NicolettaNicoletta Braschi
LauretteEllen Barkin
BobbieBillie Neal
GigRockets Redglare
PrestonVernel Bagneris
JulieTimothea
L.C.L.C. Drane

Credits

DirectorJim Jarmusch
CinematographyRobby Müller
MusicJohn Lurie
EditingMelody London
SongsTom Waits
ProducerAlan Kleinberg
Co-producersTom Rothman and Jim Stark
Executive producersOtto Grokenberger, Cary Brokaw and Russell Schwartz
Production managerRudd Simmons
Unit managerDavid Ross McCarty
Set dresserJanet Densmore
Assistant directorClaire Denis
Production troubleshooterSara Driver
First assistant cameraJack Anderson
SoundDrew Kunin
GafferChristopher Porter
Key gripPaul Ferrera
Supervising sound editorJohn Auerbach
Sound editingFrank Kern
Music recorded and mixed byTom Lazarus

Disc Features

  • New high-definition digital transfer, enhanced for widescreen televisions
  • Thoughts & reflections by Jim Jarmusch
  • 2002 video interview with director of photography Robby Müller
  • 1986 Cannes Film Festival press conference with Jarmusch and stars John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, and Nicoletta Braschi
  • 1986 John Lurie interview with commentary
  • Outtakes
  • Music video of Tom Waits singing Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right with Me,” directed by Jarmusch
  • Q&A with Jarmusch
  • Jarmusch’s phone calls with Waits, Benigni, and Lurie
  • Isolated music track
  • Production Polaroids
  • Location stills
  • Original theatrical trailer
  • Optional French dub track, featuring Roberto Benigni
  • Optional French subtitles
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hearing impaired

From the Current

THE DEVIL AND TOM WAITS

Oct 16, 2009

Whatever Tom Waits is up to—be it music or acting (Down by Law, Short Cuts)—is bound to be interesting, so we can’t wait to see him in the role of a lifetime, as the devil in ...

Down by Law

by Luc Sante Oct 21, 2002

Down by Law, released in 1986, was Jim Jarmusch’s third movie. Unlike its predecessors, Permanent Vacation and Stranger Than Paradise, it did not take off from a semi-documentary view of downtown Manhattan. It was entirely shot on location...

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Available Editions

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DVD

1 Disc

SRP: $39.95

Criterion Store price

$31.96