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

Ben Becker and Meret Becker, who play lovers here, are in real life brother and sister.

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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

[the group has just been informed that, effective after that night's show, they are banned from performing in Germany. Roman undoes his collar, refusing to go on]
Roman Cycowski: No power on Earth can force me to sing in this country again.
Harry Frommermann: Roman, please.
[the audience begins clapping for the group to come out on stage]
Harry Frommermann: Don't you hear that? Those are our fans. At least for tonight. Do you guys understand? Our fans.

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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

Childhood memories of radio and politics

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.