Down By Law [1986] [Criterion] (Blu-ray)

Down By Law [1986] [Criterion] (BLU)

Jim Jarmusch

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Synopsis

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.

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