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The Harmonists[Subtitle] - DVD

SKU: 4723525 | Release Date: 7/2/2002

Rating: R for Nudity, Adult Situations

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Rating: R for Nudity, Adult Situations
Format: DVD
Theatrical Release: 1998
Length: 115 minutes
Screen Formats: Enhanced Widescreen for 16x9 TV
Genre: General Dramas
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Synopsis

Joseph Vilsmaier (Stalingrad and Brother of Sleep) directed this fact-based German musical drama about a popular barbershop sextet in Nazi Germany of the '30s. In 1927, musician Harry Frommermann (Ulrich Noethen), attracted to music-shop assistant Erna (Meret Becker), joins ambitious vocalist Robert Biberti (Ben Becker) in forming a vocal group with arranger Erwin (Kai Wiesinger) and Bulgarian cafe-singer Ari (Max Tidof). As their fame increases, the authorities, who object to the Jews in the group, pressure them to perform National Socialist material. Traveling to New York, they eventually must decide whether to remain in the U.S. or return to Germany. The musical numbers use digitally remastered recordings by the real-life group, and computer graphics were employed to re-create a 1934 concert aboard an aircraft carrier in New York harbor. Barry Manilow's stage musical Harmony is based on this same music group. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Version Details

Languages/Sound

Ger/Fre

Screen Formats

Enhanced Widescreen for 16x9 TV

Subtitle Languages

Eng

Additional Features

cc Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound Original German-language track French-language track English subtitles Widescreen (2.35:1) enhanced for 16�9 televisions

Chapters

Side #1 --
1. Opening Credits: "A Very Good Impression" [9:51]
2. Assembling the Harmonists [7:47]
3. "The Asparagus Is Sprouting [6:11]
4. "One Month. No More, No Less" [8:25]
5. "The Comedian Harmonists" [5:07]
6. Fame and Fortune [5:49]
7. Men of Virtue? [6:31]
8. "Tastes Differ" [3:24]
9. Applauding Egos [7:20]
10. Threats From the Reich [10:04]
11. A Singular Performance [7:07]
12. "To America!" [6:28]
13. "Let's Go Home" [7:32]
14. "Sold Out" [2:21]
15. "Goodbye, Goodbye, Farewell" [1:46]
16. Leaving Germany [7:53]
17. End Credits [6:49]

Cast

G�nter Lamprecht - Eric Charell
Dana V�vrov� - Ursula Bootz
Max Tidof - Ari Leschnikoff
Otto Sander - Bruno Levy
Ulrich Noethen - Harry Frommermann
Michaela Rosen - Ramona
Gerard Samaan - Roman's Father
Noemi Fischer - Chantal
Meret Becker - Erna Eggstein
Heinrich Schafmeister - Erich A. Collin
Heino Ferch - Roman Cycowski
Ben Becker - Robert Biberti
Katja Riemann - Mary Cycowski
Rolf Hoppe - Streicher
Kai Wiesinger - Erwin Bootz

Crew

Composer (Music Score): Harald Kloser
Editor: Peter R. Adam
Second Unit Camera: Joerg Widmer
Director: Joseph Vilsmaier
Executive Producer: Joseph Vilsmaier
Cinematographer: Joseph Vilsmaier
Producer: Reinhard Klooss
Production Designer: Rolf Zehetbauer
Screenwriter: Klaus Richter
Casting: Barbara Voegel
Choreography: Regina Weber
Art Director: Bernhard Henrich
Costume Designer: Ute Hofinger
Producer: Danny Krausz
Sound/Sound Designer: Heinz Ebner
Second Unit Camera: Peter von Haller
Producer: Hanno Hugh ,Hanno Huth ,Daniel Krausz

The Harmonists: AMG Review
Buzz McClain , AMG

It's films such as this that make one wonder what other unknown masterpieces exist. Absolutely brilliant in every regard, The Harmonists is a stunning achievement. The film vividly renders its period setting, its casting is dead perfect, the performances are startlingly controlled, and the fact-based story touches and thrills without manipulation. Then there's the music: When was the last time an a cappella novelty song sung in German stuck in a viewer's head for three days? Ulrich Noethen is amazing as the poverty-stricken dreamer who puts together a vocal ensemble with a gimmick -- not only do the five singers perform without instrumentation (save for a bit of piano), but they take solos by mimicking wind instruments. It's a charming effect that summarizes the magic of the film overall. The Comedian Harmonists (as they are known to all of Europe) rise to the heights of fame, living in luxury when before they couldn't afford bread. In the last reel, when the Nazis begin to assert their nasty selves, the movie becomes a fragile study of character as the band members' friendship is tested to the straining point. There is heartbreak, but director Joseph Vilsmaier doesn't let the tragedy overwhelm the good spirits that have come before it. It's an amazing piece of work that won a shelf full of trophies overseas, but the film never got a chance in the States, playing on a handful of screens in painfully few cities. ~ Buzz McClain, All Movie Guide

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The Harmonists[Subtitle] - DVD

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The Harmonists[Subtitle] - DVD

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Need Help?

Synopsis

Version Details

Cast

Crew

Related Movies

Order Support

Legal

Product Support

Credit Cards

Reward Zone® Program

Get Connected

Corporate Info

More Best Buy Sites

Need help? We're available 24/7 at 1-888-BEST BUY (1-888-237-8289)