Down by Law (1986): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Down by Law is a 1986 comedy drama directed by Jim Jarmusch, starring Tom Waits, Roberto Benigni and Ellen Barkin. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $1.5 million worldwide. It earned 4 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 1987. Critics gave it 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Jim Jarmusch
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Island Pictures
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Down by Law About?
The premise of Down by Law without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
In the heart of New Orleans, a DJ, a pimp, and an Italian tourist are unexpectedly united after escaping from prison. They must rely on each other as they evade the authorities and explore the city’s hidden corners. Along the way, they encounter colorful characters and face unexpected challenges, forging an unlikely bond amidst the vibrant and sometimes dangerous streets.
Down by Law Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- swamp
- pimp
- escape from prison
- language barrier
- disc jockey
- independent film
- reference to walt whitman
- reference to robert frost
- the road not taken
- chant
- rabbit
- cooking a rabbit
+38 more Show fewer
- rowing a boat
- sinking boat
- false accusation
- louisiana
- escape
- police
- dead body in a car trunk
- serendipity
- hiccups
- male bonding
- female nudity
- prostitute
- culture clash
- new orleans louisiana
- italian man in the united states
- female full frontal nudity
- reference to mark twain
- prisoner
- radio dj
- nudity
- set up
- italian abroad
- pulled over by the police
- roasting rabbit on a spit
- on the run
- false arrest
- louisiana bayou
- scene before opening credits
- unlawful confinement
- long take
- gambling with cigarettes
- quirky comedy
- fairytale
- fistfight
- murder
- jail
- jail cell
- jail fight
Down by Law Cast
Tom Waits leads the cast, with Roberto Benigni and Ellen Barkin. Directed by Jim Jarmusch; 10 actors are credited in all.
-
Director Jim Jarmusch
Also Starring in Down by Law
· 6 moreMore from Jim Jarmusch
More films directed by Jim Jarmusch, best-rated first: Paterson, Mystery Train, Only Lovers Left Alive and Gimme Danger.
Down by Law Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Down by Law 88% on Rotten Tomatoes and 75 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.6/10.
-
IMDb 7.6 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 88% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 93%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 75 Metascore
User score 7.4
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 73% User score
See on TMDB
Down by Law Plot Summary
What happens in Down by Law from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
The film opens with Zack, an unemployed radio DJ who is perpetually dissatisfied, having just been thrown out of his girlfriend’s apartment. Frustrated and despondent, he drowns his sorrows at a local bar, where he encounters a mob boss who hands him $2000 to drive a “clean car” from Point A (the bar) to Point B (the next city). Unbeknownst to Zack, the trunk contains a dead body. After hitting the road in a drunken haze, he is pulled over by the police, who conduct a search that leads to his immediate arrest.
Full summary
The whole story of Down by Law, scene by scene
Down by Law Box Office
Down by Law grossed $1.5 million worldwide. $1.4 million came from the US and Canada and $93,531 (6%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$1.5M
- US & Canada
- $1.4M
- International
- $93.5K
Down by Law Awards & Nominations
Down by Law earned 4 award nominations, including Best Cinematography at the Spirit Awards 1987.
4 nominations1 ceremony
-
Spirit Awards 1987 4 nominations- Nominated Best Cinematography
- Nominated Best Director – Jim Jarmusch
- Nominated Best Feature
- Nominated Best Male Lead – Roberto Benigni
Down by Law Trailers & Videos
3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 featurette.
- Trailer DOWN BY LAW Official Trailer [1986] 4K
- Featurette Three Reasons: Down by Law
How Well Do You Know Down by Law?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the main character, a disillusioned radio DJ?
Cars in Down by Law
6 cars on screen, including the 1986 Jaguar XJ6 Series III and the 1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria.
-
1986 Jaguar XJ6 Series III Important role -
1983 Ford LTD Crown Victoria Minor role -
Autocar DC-100 Background role -
1965 Cadillac Funeral Coach Background role
Down by Law Also Known As
21 alternative titles, including “Down by Law - Alles im Griff” and “다운 바이 로”.
- Also known as
-
- Down by Law - Alles im Griff
- 다운 바이 로
- 다운 바이 로우
- Stin pagida tou nomou
- Вне закона
- Daunbailò
- 不法之徒
- Poza prawem
- Bajo el peso de la ley
- Mimo zákon
- Vencidos Pela Lei
- Törvénytől sújtva
+9 more Show fewer
- נרדפי החוק
- Поза законом
- İçerdekiler
- Daunbailó
- Στην Παγίδα Του Νόμου
- Извън закона
- ダウン・バイ・ロー, კანონგარეშე
- Sota el pes de la llei
- Už įstatymo ribų
Seen Down by Law?
Movies Like Down by Law
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Down Twisted, Lowdown Dirty Criminals and Law and Disorder.
Down by Law FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Down by Law, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Down by Law?
Down by Law runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Down by Law released?
Down by Law was released on September 20, 1986.
Who directed Down by Law?
Down by Law was directed by Jim Jarmusch.
More films by Jim Jarmusch Who is in the cast of Down by Law?
Down by Law stars Tom Waits, Roberto Benigni and Ellen Barkin, among 10 credited actors.
How much did Down by Law make at the box office?
Down by Law grossed $1.5 million worldwide ($1.4 million domestic, $93,531 international).
How is Down by Law rated?
Down by Law has 7.6/10 on IMDb, 88% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75 on Metacritic and 73% on TMDB.
Was Down by Law nominated for any awards?
Down by Law received 4 nominations across 1 ceremony.
Does Down by Law have a post-credit scene?
No. Down by Law has no extra scene during or after the credits.
Coming soon to your phone
The Plot Explained Movie Summary App
From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.
Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app
