Swing Kids (1993)

The story of a close-knit group of young kids in Nazi Germany who listen to banned swing music from the US. Soon dancing and fun lead to more difficult choices as the Nazis begin tightening... See full summary »

Director:

Thomas Carter

Writer:

Jonathan Marc Feldman

Stars:

Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Sean Leonard	...	Peter Müller
Christian Bale	...	Thomas Berger
Frank Whaley	...	Arvid
Barbara Hershey	...	Frau Müller
Tushka Bergen	...	Evey
David Tom	...	Willi Müller
Julia Stemberger	...	Frau Linge
Jayce Bartok	...	Otto
Noah Wyle	...	Emil Lutz
Johan Leysen	...	Herr Schumler
Douglas Roberts	...	Herr Hinz
Martin Clunes	...	Bannführer
Jessica Hynes	...	Helga (as Jessica Stevenson)
Carl Brincat	...	H.J. Thug
Mary Fogarty	...	Mama Klara Müller (as Mary Fogerty)

Storyline

The story of a close-knit group of young kids in Nazi Germany who listen to banned swing music from the US. Soon dancing and fun lead to more difficult choices as the Nazis begin tightening the grip on Germany. Each member of the group is forced to face some tough choices about right, wrong, and survival.

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Plot Keywords:

swing | nazi | germany | friendship between men | 1930s | 

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Taglines:

In a world on the brink of war. You either march to one tune or dance to another.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence and some language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

5 March 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Os Últimos Rebeldes

Filming Locations:

Prague, Czech Republic

Box Office

Gross:

$5,632,086 (USA)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hollywood Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

112 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Kenneth Branagh is reported to have refused any billing at all rather than be billed above Christian Bale and the other boys who he said were the stars of the film.

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Goofs

At the end of the film, when Willy is running after Peter and stops, there is clearly nothing at Willy's feet. Later, after being told "Swing Heil", he grabs an umbrella on a wet poster at his feet that clearly wasn't there before.

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Quotes

Peter: [turning down a cigarette] Can't, they smell your breath.
Arvid: Then we better not listen to this music, they may listen to your ears.

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Connections

Referenced in Mystery Science Theater 3000: Outlaw (1993)

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Soundtracks

LIFE GOES TO A PARTY
Written by Harry James and Benny Goodman

User Reviews

Connected with me on two levels: Swing and Judiasm

I have always been a very big fan of swing music and am a "Hollywood Jew". I.e., not very religious or observant of the ancient traditions, but still a Jew in humor and emotions. So this movie never fails to make my tear up. To imagine a time and place where not only your seeming friends turn on you, but you can't even listen to your kind of music is a special kind of hell on earth.

The dance and music sequences are wonderful and I can't see or hear them enough. Solid sounds, daddio! However, the film wisely preempts the reverie and jerks you back to the Nazi repression each time. It suggests how those poor "Swingkleine" must have felt. The sweet and sorrowful blend here.

Someone criticized this picture for not showing enough death. I think the boxes of human ashes and the random Brownshirt raids show enough of that! This picture isn't about the Holocaust -- it's about trying to survive when your society goes seriously wrong.

I will always think of "Swing Kids" when I hear the truism: "It don' mean a thing if it ain't got that SWING. Do-wah do-wha do-wah do-wah do-wha do-wha do-wha do-WHAAAAA".