The Harmonists (1997)
"Comedian Harmonists" (original title)

Comedian Harmonists tells the story of a famous, German male sextet, five vocals and piano, the "Comedian Harmonists", from the day they meet first in 1927 to the day in 1934, when they ... See full summary »

Director:

Joseph Vilsmaier

Writers:

Jürgen Büscher (story), Klaus Richter,

Stars:

Ben Becker, Heino Ferch, Ulrich Noethen

13 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ben Becker	...	Robert Biberti
Heino Ferch	...	Roman Cycowski
Ulrich Noethen	...	Harry Frommermann
Heinrich Schafmeister	...	Erich A. Collin
Max Tidof	...	Ari Leschnikoff
Kai Wiesinger	...	Erwin Bootz
Meret Becker	...	Erna Eggstein
Katja Riemann	...	Mary Cycowski
Noemi Fischer	...	Chantal, Collin's Girlfriend
Dana Vávrová	...	Ursula Bootz
Otto Sander	...	Bruno Levy
Michaela Rosen	...	Ramona, the Madame
Günter Lamprecht	...	Eric Charell
Gérard Semaan	...	Roman's Father
Rolf Hoppe	...	Gauleiter Streicher

Storyline

Comedian Harmonists tells the story of a famous, German male sextet, five vocals and piano, the "Comedian Harmonists", from the day they meet first in 1927 to the day in 1934, when they become banned by the upcoming Nazis, because three of them are Jewish.

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Plot Keywords:

comedian | comedian harmonists | singing | musician | nazi | 

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Taglines:

Eine Legende kehrt zurück.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some nudity

Details

Official Sites:

Official Release Site

Country:

Germany Austria

Language:

German English

Release Date:

25 December 1997 (Germany)

Also Known As:

The Harmonists

Filming Locations:

Bad Fischau, Lower Austria, Austria

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$25,141 (USA) (12 March 1999)

Gross:

$479,828 (USA) (7 May 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bavaria Film, Beta Film, Parathon

Technical Specs

Runtime:

126 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In this film, Heino Ferch and Ulrich Noethen play Jews who are persecuted by the Nazi Regime. In Downfall, Ferch played Albert Speer and Noethen played Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler.

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Goofs

The same building is shown as an exterior establishing shot for both a hotel in Paris and an apartment building in Berlin.

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Quotes

Harry Frommermann: [to Robert Biberti after a successful concert, where Harry made the audience laugh] Am I a donkey, cause I'm your friend or am I your friend because I'm a donkey?

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Crazy Credits

After the movie, before the end credits, a photo of the real Comedian Harmonists is showed.

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Connections

References Pandora's Box (1929)

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Soundtracks

"Bekinor, Benevel...Zamru Lo"
Performed by Giora Feidman

User Reviews

A beautiful film from Vilsmaier - one of the best modern German pictures.

One of the finest German films I've had the pleasure of seeing, 'Comedian Harmonists' tells the true story of a sextet of male singers who form a very famous group in Berlin when Hitler's Socialist party is just starting to get powerful. Of the six, three of them happen to be Jewish, which puts a dampener on their future when it's decreed that only Aryan entertainers will be allowed to perform in Germany. With a love triangle thrown in the mix, as well as the confusion of this almost sudden racial division, the members struggle to really come to terms with their future together. There are some chilling moments involving the hypocritical Nazis, indulging in some ironic entertainment care of the Comedian Harmonists, as well as some great musical segments. With some great performances from the entire cast - the stand outs are Ulrich Noethen as Harry Frommermann and Meret Becker as Erna - the film is a joy to watch, especially the wonderful musical sections, which at first I found to be tedious but then seemed to lift the film. Go figure. Joseph Vilsmaier, director of the excellent 'Stalingrad', has crafted a very entertaining film in this at times funny, joyous and very moving picture. (Watch for the ending - sentimental it may be, but it's very sad, IMO.) Recommended.