Licensor Information
Black Snake, Inc.
Directed by: Jim Jarmusch
Featuring: Tom Waits, John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, Nicoletta Braschi, Ellen Barkin, Bille Neal, Rockets Redglare
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. The Criterion Collection is proud to present Jim Jarmusch's Down by Law.
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Release Information:
Technical Specifications
Format:
DVD
Discs:
DVD-9 (1 Disc)
DVD-5 (1 Disc)
Total: 2 Discs
Regions:
1/2/3/4/5/6 (DVD)
Aspect Ratio:
1.78:1
Audio Options:
English Dolby Digital Mono 1.0
French Dolby Digital Mono 1.0
Resolution:
480p/29.97
Subtitles:
English
Supplements
Types of Supplements Included: Audio Interview, Interview, Press Conference, Outtakes, Music Video, Q&A, Gallery, Theatrical Trailer, Alternate Soundtrack, Insert
- Audio interview with Jim Jarmusch from 2002
- Interview with director of photography Robby Müller from 2002
- Footage from the 1986 Cannes Film Festival, including a press conference with Jim Jarmusch and actors John Lurie, Roberto Benigni, and Nicoletta Braschi, and an interview with Lurie, featuring commentary
- Sixteen outtakes
- Music video for Tom Waits
- Q&A with Jim Jarmusch in which he responds to fans
- Recordings of phone conversations between Jim Jarmusch and Tom Waits, Roberto Benigni, and John Lurie
- Production Polaroids and location stills
- Trailer
- Optional French dub track, featuring Benigni
- Insert featuring an essay by critic Lucy Sante
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Film
Picture
Audio
Supplements
Artwork
Release Credits
Artwork: Eva Wah
Producer: Izabela Muchlinski
Release Notes on Restoration
Down by Law
Down by Law is presented in the aspect ratio of 1.78:1. Supervised by Jim Jarmusch, this new high-definition 24p digital transfer was created on a Spirit Datacine from the 35mm fine-grain interpositive. The soundtrack was mastered at 24-bit from the original magnetic audio tracks.

