The 3 Penny Opera (1931): cast, story & where to watch
1931 · Film · ★ 7.1
Released in 1931, The 3 Penny Opera is a comedy, drama, crime and music film directed by G.W. Pabst, running about 112 minutes. “Let the fantasy take you far, far away...” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. In London at the turn of the century, underworld kingpin Mack the Knife marries Polly Peachum without the knowledge of her father, the equally enterprising 'king of the beggars'.
Who’s in it. The 3 Penny Opera stars Rudolf Forster as Mackie Messer, Carola Neher as Polly, Reinhold Schünzel as Tiger-Brown and Fritz Rasp as Peachum, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 7.1/10, The 3 Penny Opera has been warmly received by audiences.
Where to watch. In US you can stream it on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch The 3 Penny Opera page.
If you liked it. Fans of The 3 Penny Opera tend to enjoy Forrest Gump, Parasite, Life Is Beautiful and Fight Club.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch The 3 Penny Opera (1931)?
- In US, The 3 Penny Opera is available to stream on HBO Max Amazon Channel, Criterion Channel and HBO Max. Availability varies by country — check our where-to-watch page for every region.
- Is The 3 Penny Opera worth watching?
- The 3 Penny Opera holds an audience score of 7.1 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy comedy, drama, crime and music. Most viewers rate it highly.
- Who stars in The 3 Penny Opera?
- The 3 Penny Opera stars Rudolf Forster, Carola Neher, Reinhold Schünzel, Fritz Rasp and Valeska Gert.
- When was The 3 Penny Opera released?
- The 3 Penny Opera was released in 1931, with a runtime of about 112 minutes.