Perfect Harmony (1991) (TV)

User Rating:

7.1/10   

Director:

Will Mackenzie

Writer (WGA):

David Obst (written by)

Release Date:

31 March 1991 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Family | Music

Tagline:

From Two Different Worlds... Music Brought Them Together!

Plot:

In a private school in the U.S. South, Mr. Sanders, a new choirmaster tries to reduce some of the prejudice...

Plot Keywords:

Choir | Prejudice | Private School | South Carolina | 1950s

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Peter Scolari	...	Derek Sanders
Darren McGavin	...	Mr. Hobbs
Catherine Mary Stewart	...	Miss Hobbs
Moses Gunn	...	Zeke, the Caretaker
Justin Whalin	...	Taylor Bradshaw
Eugene Byrd	...	Landy Allen
David Faustino	...	Paul
Casey Ellison	...	Orville
Richie Havens	...	Scrapper Johnson
Cleavon Little	...	Pastor Clarence Johnson
Jeff Cohen	...	Ward
Devin Ratray	...	Shelby
Wallace K. Wilkinson	...	Mayor Macy
Dan Biggers	...	Doctor
Sharlene Ross	...	Woman #1

Runtime:

USA:93 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Berry College - 2277 Martha Berry Highway, Rome, Georgia, USA

Company:

Sea Breeze Productions Inc.

Trivia:

When the music teacher covers for the boys who are out late, he tells the head of the school that it was a deer he saw in the bushes. The head then comments that there are herds of deer in that area. Berry College, where the movie was filmed, is in fact home to thousands of deer that wonder among the academic buildings and dormitories.

A very inspiring film

Perfect Harmony is one of those perfect films that you occasionally come across by accident.

As a former teacher and a lover of Chorale music, especially boys choirs, I watched the film basically because of the choir. I thought that the film would be very much like Disney's 1960's film Almost Angeles, spotlighting the Weinersangerknaben (Vienna Boys Choir), long on music but very short on story line.

I was very pleasantly surprised to find a very believable, moralistic story with a deep meaning to me. As a very conservative person, I have a very liberal streak when it comes to social issues. Especially race relations.

Justin Whalin was a standout, as were most of the other young actors. I was disappointed with Darin McGavin's performance as I feel that racist tendencies are very deep rooted. Darin just seem to be too shallow in his beliefs.

Overall I can honestly say that this was one of the movies that really stand out in my mind, especially as this post is being made in December 2004, several years after seeing the movie.