Perfect Harmony (TV 1991)

In a private school in the U.S. South, Mr. Sanders, a new choirmaster tries to reduce some of the prejudice and hostility of some of the students in his choir. Paul, a bully who feels he ... See full summary »

Director:

Will Mackenzie

Writer:

David Obst

Stars:

Peter Scolari, Darren McGavin, Catherine Mary Stewart

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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
Sky Berdahl	...	Marc (as Sky Ashley Berdahl)
Wallace K. Wilkinson	...	Mayor Macy
Dan Biggers	...	Doctor

Storyline

In a private school in the U.S. South, Mr. Sanders, a new choirmaster tries to reduce some of the prejudice and hostility of some of the students in his choir. Paul, a bully who feels he should be lead boy, is the worst offender. Taylor Bradshaw on the other hand is impressed by the music of Landy, a black boy, grandson of Zeke, the school caretaker. Zeke joins in some of the activities of the black community known as River Town. Sanders is also impressed by Landy's abilities and attempts to get him involved with the choir. A tragedy in the community brings the race issue to a head.

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Plot Keywords:

choir | prejudice | private school | southerner | south carolina | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Family | Music

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

31 March 1991 (USA)

Also Known As:

Armonía perfecta

Filming Locations:

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

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sea Breeze Productions Inc., Walt Disney Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

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.

User Reviews

One of my all time favorites

I was 10 when this movie came out and in a boychoir at the time. For someone in my position, the music sung by the Blanton boys was so relatable. I've done the solo of Laudate Dominum that Taylor does in the opening scene of the movie. Keeping with the theme of music, the film accurately shows the two ends of the spectrum from classical to blues as depicted by Taylor's world and Landy's world, respectively. The pieces are well chosen on both sides. The unchanged voices in the film provide a certain nostalgia for me since my days as a soprano are long gone. Some others on IMDb have questioned how or if boys can sing that high. Speaking from personal experience, yes unchanged boys voices sound exactly like they do in the movie. I myself could sing soprano until I was 12.

As for the other theme of the film, racial tension in the south during the 1950s, the film is also very realistic. I am black and although I don't speak from personal experience, my own studies of that period in American history combined with comments from my parents and grandparents that were present during that time paint a very similar picture. There was an almost palpable tension between blacks and whites especially in the deep south. I think the movie demonstrates that tension. It also demonstrates the movement of change that would culminate with the Civil Rights movement during the 1960s. The strong friendship Taylor and Landy develop stems from their mutual love of music. They show interest in what they've grown up hearing as well as the music of other cultures. To both of them, music in any form is beautiful. The ultimate lesson of the story centers around how music can act as bridge.

I would highly recommend this movie. It's a great film for the family to watch to open a dialogue regarding race. There are acts of violence along racial lines and KKK references, but the realism of the movie makes it worth watching.