Jim Jarmusch

Down by Law

Down by Law

Director Jim Jarmusch followed up his brilliant breakout film Stranger Than Paradise with another, equally beloved portrait of loners and misfits in the American landscape. When fate brings together 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, a singular adventure ensues. Described by Jarmusch as a “neo-Beat noir comedy,” Down by Law is part nightmare and part fairy tale, featuring sterling performances and crisp black-and-white cinematography by the esteemed Robby Müller.

Film Info

  • United States
  • 1986
  • 107 minutes
  • Black & White
  • 1.78:1
  • English
  • Spine #166

DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

  • New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director Jim Jarmusch, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
  • Audio interview with Jarmusch from 2002
  • Interview with director of photography Robby Müller from 2002
  • Footage from the 1986 Cannes Film Festival, including a press conference with Jarmusch and actors John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, and Nicoletta Braschi, and an interview with Lurie, featuring commentary
  • Sixteen outtakes
  • Music video for Tom Waits’s cover of Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right with Me,” directed by Jarmusch
  • Q&A with Jarmusch in which he responds to fans’ questions
  • Recordings of phone conversations between Jarmusch and Waits, Benigni, and Lurie
  • Production Polaroids and location stills
  • Trailer
  • Isolated music track
  • Optional French dub track, featuring Benigni
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: A new essay by critic Lucy Sante

New cover by Eva Wah

Purchase Options

DIRECTOR-APPROVED BLU-RAY SPECIAL EDITION FEATURES

  • New, restored digital transfer, supervised by director Jim Jarmusch, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack
  • Audio interview with Jarmusch from 2002
  • Interview with director of photography Robby Müller from 2002
  • Footage from the 1986 Cannes Film Festival, including a press conference with Jarmusch and actors John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, and Nicoletta Braschi, and an interview with Lurie, featuring commentary
  • Sixteen outtakes
  • Music video for Tom Waits’s cover of Cole Porter’s “It’s All Right with Me,” directed by Jarmusch
  • Q&A with Jarmusch in which he responds to fans’ questions
  • Recordings of phone conversations between Jarmusch and Waits, Benigni, and Lurie
  • Production Polaroids and location stills
  • Trailer
  • Isolated music track
  • Optional French dub track, featuring Benigni
  • English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
  • PLUS: A new essay by critic Lucy Sante

New cover by Eva Wah

Down by Law
Cast
Tom Waits
Zack
John Lurie
Jack
Roberto Benigni
Roberto
Nicoletta Braschi
Nicoletta
Ellen Barkin
Laurette
Billie Neal
Bobbie
Rockets Redglare
Gig
Vernel Bagneris
Preston
Timothea
Julie
L. C. Drane
L. C.
Joy Houck Jr.
Detective Mandino
Carrie Lindsoe
Young girl
Ralph Joseph
Detectives
Richard Boes
Dave Petitjean
Cajun detective
Adam Cohen
Uniformed cop
Alan Kleinberg
Corpse
Archie Sampier
Prisoner
Credits
Director
Jim Jarmusch
Written by
Jim Jarmusch
Director of photography
Robby Müller
Music
John Lurie
Editor
Melody London
Songs
Tom Waits
Producer
Alan Kleinberg
Coproducers
Tom Rothman
Coproducers
Jim Stark
Executive producers
Otto Grokenberger
Executive producers
Cary Brokaw
Executive producers
Russell Schwartz
Production manager
Rudd Simmons
Unit manager/Locations
David Ross McCarty
Set dresser/Prop master
Janet Densmore
Assistant director
Claire Denis
Production troubleshooter
Sara Driver
First assistant camera
Jack Anderson
Sound mixer
Drew Kunin
Gaffer
Christopher Porter
Key grip
Paul Ferrera
Supervising sound editor
John Auerbach
Sound editor
Frank Kern
Music recorded and mixed by
Tom Lazarus

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