'Round Midnight (1986)

Director:

Bertrand Tavernier

Writers:

David Rayfiel (screenplay) and
Bertrand Tavernier (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

3 October 1986 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Music

Tagline:

The music and the magic come together...

Plot:

In 'Round Midnight, real-life jazz legend Dexter Gordon brilliantly portrays the fictional tenor sax player Dale Turner...

Plot Keywords:

Musician | Jazz | Paris France | New York City | Time In Title

Awards:

Won Oscar. Another 8 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

Dexter Gordon	...	Dale Turner
François Cluzet	...	Francis Borler
Gabrielle Haker	...	Berangere
Sandra Reaves-Phillips	...	Buttercup
Lonette McKee	...	Darcey Leigh
Christine Pascal	...	Sylvie
Herbie Hancock	...	Eddie Wayne
Bobby Hutcherson	...	Ace
Pierre Trabaud	...	Francis's Father
Frédérique Meininger	...	Francis's Mother
Hart Leroy Bibbs	...	Hershell
Liliane Rovère	...	Madame Queen
Ged Marlon	...	Beau
Benoît Régent	...	Psychiatrist
Victoria Gabrielle Platt	...	Chan Turner

Also Known As:

Autour de minuit (France)

Runtime:

133 min

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:M | Argentina:Atp | Finland:S | Norway:12 | UK:15 | USA:R | West Germany:12 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Lyon, Rhône, Rhône-Alpes, France

Company:

Little Bear

Trivia:

The character of Francis Borler is based on real-life person Francis Paudras who died in 1997. The character of Dale Turner played by actual jazz musician Dexter Gordon is based on a combination of real-life jazzmen Bud Powell and Lester Young. The real-life friendship between Paudras and Bud Powell has been the subject of several books.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: The drum hardware and cymbal stands are 80s vintage, i.e. heavy tubing, whereas the proper period stands would be much lighter and smaller.

Quotes:

Dale: They're always paying all the wrong people in this world.

Movie Connections:

References SOS Pacific (1959)

Soundtrack:

Autumn in New York

A film that captures the soul of jazz

The one thing I remember about this film is Dexter Gordon's voice. Weary, sad, and wry. It's a voice that has played a lot of sad songs and smoked a lot of cigarettes, and it's a beautiful instrument in its own way. Gordon plays Dale Turner, an expatriate jazz musician in Paris and a recovering heroin addict. This film is the story of his time in Paris and his eventual return to New York City. This film slightly parallels Gordon's own life - he too was a former heroin addict who spent much of his career in Paris, eventually returning home to New York City. A very touching and lovely ode to the beauty of jazz music, and a film that gave Dexter Gordon a deserved career comeback late in his life. Not to be missed.