And the Band Played On (TV 1993)

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

Director:

Roger Spottiswoode

Writers:

Randy Shilts (book), Arnold Schulman (teleplay)

Stars:

Matthew Modine, Alan Alda, Patrick Bauchau

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

This is the story of the first years of the AIDS epidemic in the United States and focuses on three key elements. Dr. Don Francis, an immunologist with experience in eradicating smallpox and containing the Ebola virus, joins the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to try and understand just what this disease is. They also have deal with bureaucracy and a government that doesn't seem to care. The gay community in San Francisco is divided on the nature of the disease but also what should be done about it. Finally, the film deals with the rivalry between Dr. Robert Gallo, the American virologist who previously discovered the first retrovirus and his French counterpart at the Pasteur Institute, Dr. Luc Montagnier, that led to disputed claims about who was first to identify the AIDS virus.

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Plot Keywords:

disease | epidemic | virus | gay | center for disease control | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English French Danish

Release Date:

11 September 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

...und das Leben geht weiter

Filming Locations:

San Francisco, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Home Box Office (HBO), Spelling Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

141 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Produced despite heavy misgivings in the film industry. When film star Richard Gere accepted a small role, he broke the taboos - at grave risk to his career - about both the subject and major film stars taking small parts in TV productions. Subsequently Steve Martin, Alan Alda, Phil Collins and Anjelica Huston were willing to appear.

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Goofs

This movie is set early 1980s, but there is a box of Wheatables from the early 1990s on the coffee table.

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Quotes

Dr. Mary Guinan: In your file it says that you're gay.
Gaetan Dugas: And also a homosexual.

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Connections

Features A Room with a View (1985)

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Soundtracks

"Play the Game"
by Freddie Mercury

User Reviews

Excellent as was the book it's taken from

I decided to watch this movie again tonight for the first time in several years. I lived in San Francisco when the epidemic began and had a first hand view of the fear, paranoia, and grief.

The movie brings back memories of worrying about my gay child and many of my friends. We attended more than a few memorial services. My son, praise be, is fine.

The best thing about watching it so many years later is to realize how far we've come since then. AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was. The book and the film did a great deal to raise public awareness. HBO was courageous, the actors were all first class and I believe it was realistic in its portrayal of the heroes, the villains, and the public ignorance and apathy of the time.