Comedian Harmonists (1997)

User Rating:

7.2/10   

Director:

Joseph Vilsmaier

Writers:

Jürgen Büscher (story)
Klaus Richter (writer)

Release Date:

25 December 1997 (Germany)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline:

Eine Legende kehrt zurück.

Plot:

Comedian Harmonists tells the story of a famous, German male sextet, five vocals and piano, the "Comedian Harmonists"...

Plot Keywords:

Piano | Germany | Nazi | German | Jewish

Awards:

11 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Ben Becker	...	Robert Biberti
Heino Ferch	...	Roman Cycowski
Ulrich Noethen	...	Harry Frommermann
Heinrich Schafmeister	...	Erich A. Collin
Max Tidof	...	Ari Leschnikoff
Kai Wiesinger	...	Erwin Bootz
Meret Becker	...	Erna Eggstein
Katja Riemann	...	Mary Cycowski
Noemi Fischer	...	Chantal, Collin's Girlfriend
Dana Vávrová	...	Ursula Bootz
Otto Sander	...	Bruno Levy
Michaela Rosen	...	Ramona, the Madame
Günter Lamprecht	...	Eric Charell
Gérard Semaan	...	Roman's Father
Rolf Hoppe	...	Gauleiter Streicher

Also Known As:

The Harmonists (Canada: English title) (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for some nudity.

Runtime:

Germany:126 min | USA:115 min

Country:

Germany | Austria

Language:

German

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Finland:K-8 | France:U | Germany:6 (f) (bw) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bad Fischau, Lower Austria, Austria

Company:

Bavaria Film

Trivia:

With very few exceptions, all vocal performances heard during the movie were original recordings of the 1930's group. The old material was de-noised and digitally enhanced.

Goofs:

Factual errors: The USS Saratoga is actually the USS Intrepid.

Quotes:

[the group has just been informed that, effective after that night's show, they are banned from performing in Germany. Roman undoes his collar, refusing to go on]
Roman Cycowski: No power on Earth can force me to sing in this country again.
Harry Frommermann: Roman, please.
[the audience begins clapping for the group to come out on stage]
Harry Frommermann: Don't you hear that? Those are our fans. At least for tonight. Do you guys understand? Our fans.

Movie Connections:

References Die Büchse der Pandora (1929)

So much to offer

The film, Comedian Harmonists, give us a different and evolving look at the effects of the racist policies of national socialism. It showed, better than I've seen, the slow, subtle changes in behavior and attitudes of both the oppressor and the oppressed --- the denial, then realization, that this could and is happening. This evolution made even more believable because this a true story about six very talented people, three of which who are Jewish, who form a musical group in 1927 in Berlin. As national socialism cements its hold on Germany, external pressure is brought on the group for containing Jewish members resulting in internal pressures within the group. The interpersonal relationships made for a compelling story. Add to this a great love story, good acting, fantastic musical score, and interesting people you come to care for, and you have a great movie. Since the film "finishes" in 1934, I particularly enjoyed the follow up at the end telling what happened to each of them. For a fascinating look at anecdotal history, I highly recommend that you see this film. Three and a half stars!!!