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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.

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.

Does Down by Law have end credit scenes?

No!

Down by Law does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of Down by Law

Explore the complete cast of Down by Law, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for Down by Law

See how Down by Law is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where Down by Law stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

75

Metascore

7.4

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

88%

TOMATOMETER

review

93%

User Score

IMDb

7.6 /10

IMDb Rating

TMDB

73

%

User Score

Take the Ultimate Down by Law Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of Down by Law with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


Down by Law Quiz: Test your knowledge about the gritty crime thriller 'Down by Law' and its intriguing characters.

Who is the main character, a disillusioned radio DJ?

Awards & Nominations for Down by Law

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Discover all the awards and nominations received by Down by Law, from Oscars to film festival honors. Learn how Down by Law and its cast and crew have been recognized by critics and the industry alike.


2nd Independent Spirit Awards 1987

Nomination

Best Feature

Jim Jarmusch
Nomination

Best Director

Jim Jarmusch
Roberto Benigni
Nomination

Best Male Lead

Roberto Benigni
Nomination

Best Cinematography

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for Down by Law

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Read the complete plot summary of Down by Law, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


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.

Meanwhile, we catch a glimpse of Jack, a local pimp, as he attempts to broker a deal with a high-profile client known for his numerous enemies. The tension escalates when Jack receives a call from one of his adversaries, warning him about a girl interested in “working for him.” When Jack arrives at the hotel, he is shocked to discover that the girl is merely a child, revealing that it’s all part of a police sting operation aimed at taking him down.

As the narrative unfolds, we see Zack behind bars, where he meets Jack the pimp. Furthermore, they encounter Roberto, an Italian man serving time for manslaughter. After spending several months in prison, Roberto devises a plan for the trio to escape.

The bulk of the movie follows their thrilling attempts to evade the law, highlighting the dynamics between these three men as they navigate through chaos and desperation, ultimately revealing their fates and the choices they must confront amidst their run from justice.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

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Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for Down by Law

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Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from Down by Law. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Down by Law (1986) ORIGINAL TRAILER [HD 1080p]

DOWN BY LAW Official Trailer [1986] 4K

Three Reasons: Down by Law

Cars Featured in Down by Law

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Explore all cars featured in Down by Law, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


Autocar

DC-100

Cadillac

1965

Funeral Coach

Cadillac

1965

Sedan DeVille

Ford

1983

LTD Crown Victoria

Jaguar

1986

XJ6 Series III

Mercury

1977

Cougar

Down by Law Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


swamppimpescape from prisonlanguage barrierdisc jockeyindependent filmreference to walt whitmanreference to robert frostthe road not takenchantrabbitcooking a rabbitrowing a boatsinking boatfalse accusationlouisianaescapepolicedead body in a car trunkserendipityhiccupsmale bondingfemale nudityprostituteculture clashnew orleans louisianaitalian man in the united statesfemale full frontal nudityreference to mark twainprisonerradio djnudityset upitalian abroadpulled over by the policeroasting rabbit on a spiton the runfalse arrestlouisiana bayouscene before opening creditsunlawful confinementlong takegambling with cigarettesquirky comedyfairytalefistfightmurderjailjail celljail fight

Down by Law Other Names and Titles

Explore the various alternative titles, translations, and other names used for Down by Law across different regions and languages. Understand how the film is marketed and recognized worldwide.


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 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

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