And the Band Played On (1993) (TV)

User Rating:

7.6/10   

Director:

Roger Spottiswoode

Writers (WGA):

Randy Shilts (book)
Arnold Schulman (teleplay)

Release Date:

11 September 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A threat no one dared face. A word no one wanted to speak. A fight for many, fought by few.

Plot:

The story of the discovery of the AIDS epidemic and the political infighting of the scientific community hampering the early fight with it.

Plot Keywords:

AIDS | Virus | Epidemic | Gay | Political

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 9 wins & 19 nominations

Cast

Matthew Modine	...	Dr. Don Francis
Alan Alda	...	Dr. Robert Gallo
Patrick Bauchau	...	Dr. Luc Montagnier
Nathalie Baye	...	Dr. Françoise Barre
Christian Clemenson	...	Dr. Dale Lawrence
David Clennon	...	Mr. Johnstone
Phil Collins	...	Eddie Papasano
Bud Cort	...	Antique shop owner
Alex Courtney	...	Dr. Mika Popovic
David Dukes	...	Dr. Mervyn Silverman
Richard Gere	...	The Choreographer
David Marshall Grant	...	Dennis Seeley
Ronald Guttman	...	Dr. Jean-Claude Chermann
Glenne Headly	...	Dr. Mary Guinan
Anjelica Huston	...	Dr. Betsy Reisz

Runtime:

141 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | French | Danish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:PG (Ontario) | South Korea:15 | Australia:M (DVD rating) | Argentina:13 | France:U | Iceland:L | Portugal:M/12 | Singapore:PG | Spain:13 | Sweden:11 | UK:12 | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company:

Home Box Office (HBO)

Trivia:

Mary Guinan, the role played by Glenne Headly, was Nevada's State Health Officer in the early 2000s. She has since retired.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: One scene opens in New York City, in January 1985. The shot is a fly-by of the Statue of Liberty. But in 1985, the Statue was surrounded by scaffolding.

Quotes:

The Choreographer: The party's over.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Chicago Hope: ...And the Hand Played On (#4.5)" (1997)

Soundtrack:

The Last Song

Excellent cast in a landmark tv film adaptation

AND THE BAND PLAYED ON (MADE FOR CABLE TV/HBO-1993) ***1/2 Matthew Modine, Alan Alda, Lily Tomlin, Charles Martin Smith, Richard Masur, Saul Rubinek, Richard Gere, Ian McKellen, Anjelica Huston, Swoosie Kurtz, Steve Martin, Phil Collins. Engrossing adaptation of Randy Shilts' landmark prize-winning document on the onset of AIDS and the fevered manhunt to find the cause and cure of the HIV virus. Compelling storytelling and a remarkable performance by Modine as the head for the Centers for Disease Control facing impossible odds and heartbreaking frustrations. Hallmark for cameo appearances and political correctness it may be but stirring and revelatory nonetheless. Dare not to be moved during Elton John's "The Last Song" as images and names of the disease's victims roll during the closing credits. Directed by Roger Spottiswoode for HBO.