The Harmonists
(1997)
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The Harmonists
(1997)
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| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Ben Becker | ... |
Robert Biberti
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| Heino Ferch | ... |
Roman Cycowski
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Ulrich Noethen | ... |
Harry Frommermann
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Heinrich Schafmeister | ... |
Erich A. Collin
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Max Tidof | ... |
Ari Leschnikoff
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Kai Wiesinger | ... |
Erwin Bootz
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Meret Becker | ... |
Erna Eggstein
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| Katja Riemann | ... |
Mary Cycowski
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Noemi Fischer | ... |
Chantal, Collin's Girlfriend
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Dana Vávrová | ... |
Ursula Bootz
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Otto Sander | ... |
Bruno Levy
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Michaela Rosen | ... |
Ramona, the Madame
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Günter Lamprecht | ... |
Eric Charell
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Gérard Semaan | ... |
Roman's Father
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Rolf Hoppe | ... |
Gauleiter Streicher
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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. Written by Markus Mühlbauer <muehlbauer@ubaclu.unibas.ch>
Throughout the 30s and 40s, everyone in Germany loved the Comedian Harmonists when they came over the radio, although it must have been the follow-up group rather than the original one. It is interesting and moving to see that original group and hear their songs again; and it illuminates once more the idiocy of the Nazis to silence and drive away such worthwhile people who felt as, and wanted to be, good Germans.
However, their confrontation with the Storm Troopers as shown in the movie, and presumably taking place in 1933, is an unfortunate exaggeration, because window smashing and physical abuse did not occur that early during the Nazi regime. Also, railway stations were not adorned with giant swastika flags - they would have turned black quickly from the soot of the steam engines. There was no need by the producers to deviate on these points from the historical accuracy - a deviation that throws a somewhat questionable light on the rest of the story.
Yet these producers did manage to find five men who sing beautifully, with the same perfection and tonal range of the Comedian Harmonists, which makes this film eminently enjoyable after all.