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Down by Law
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Down by Law (1986) More at IMDbPro »

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Down by Law (1986) -- The story of three different men in a Louisiana prison and their eventual journey.

Overview

User Rating:
7.8/10   12,356 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Down 11% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Jim Jarmusch
Writer:
Jim Jarmusch (written by)
Contact:
View company contact information for Down by Law on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
30 October 1986 (West Germany) more
Genre:
Comedy | Drama more
Tagline:
It's not where you start - It's where you start again.
Plot:
The story of three different men in a Louisiana prison and their eventual journey. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
more
Awards:
4 wins & 5 nominations more
NewsDesk:
Trailer for Jim Jarmusch's The Limits Of Control
 (From QuietEarth. 5 March 2009, 9:29 AM, PST)

User Comments:
spoliers........ trust more

Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

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 N. Houck Jr. ... Detective Mandino
Carrie Lindsoe ... Young Girl
Ralph Joseph ... Detective
Richard Boes ... Detective
Dave Petitjean ... Cajun Detective
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Down by Law (West Germany)
Down by Law - Alles im Griff (Germany) (TV title)
more
Runtime:
107 min
Country:
USA | West Germany
Language:
English | Italian
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Filming Locations:
Louisiana, USA more
Company:
Black Snake more

Fun Stuff

Trivia:
Roberto Benigni had never been to America prior to this film. more
Quotes:
Bobbie: If you were a good pimp you would've hit me by now! more
Movie Connections:
Referenced in Robby Müller on 'Down by Law' (2002) (V) more
Soundtrack:
Tango Till They're Sore more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
29 out of 35 people found the following comment useful:-
spoliers........ trust, 4 March 2004
8/10
Author: shaunfogarty from montara ca

Jim Jarmusch trusts his camera, his directing, his writing, and most of all his performers. This is a gem of a film, without pretense. The story and film just move, sluggishly chugging forward to an ending that is really more of a dissolve. The story is ultimately of little importance, just enough movement to show us a bit of the big jokester in the skies irony. I was struck by the similarity's to Dead Man, similarities quite aside the black and white photography. The enigmatic character at the center, the drifting in and out of the main characters, the use of the boat, the disposal of the usual plot devices, the cutting away of obvious scenes (like the "how' of the escape) I wish more films displayed this sort of ease with themselves. Great stuff, 8/10.

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Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Down by Law (1986)
Recent Posts (updated daily)User
I saw Down by Law for the first time last night and... Wylie-Times
What do you think of the acting? wanbaclone
'I am a good egg' zaptista
He just walked in there like an idiot mihajlo321
Tom Waits Boots!!!! iancuran
The Dancing Scene zerodegreesk
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