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The Harmonists

Original title: Comedian Harmonists
  • 1997
  • R
  • 1h 55m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.5K
YOUR RATING
The Harmonists (1997)
BiographyDramaMusic

The film chronicles the rise and fall of Germany's most famous a capella group, the Comedian Harmonists, in 1930s Germany.The film chronicles the rise and fall of Germany's most famous a capella group, the Comedian Harmonists, in 1930s Germany.The film chronicles the rise and fall of Germany's most famous a capella group, the Comedian Harmonists, in 1930s Germany.

  • Director
    • Joseph Vilsmaier
  • Writers
    • Jürgen Büscher
    • Jürgen Egger
    • Klaus Richter
  • Stars
    • Ben Becker
    • Heino Ferch
    • Ulrich Noethen
  • See production, box office & company info
    • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    3.5K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Joseph Vilsmaier
    • Writers
      • Jürgen Büscher
      • Jürgen Egger
      • Klaus Richter
    • Stars
      • Ben Becker
      • Heino Ferch
      • Ulrich Noethen
    • 32User reviews
    • 34Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 13 wins & 3 nominations

    Photos15

    The Harmonists (1997)
    The Harmonists (1997)
    The Harmonists (1997)
    The Harmonists (1997)
    The Harmonists (1997)
    The Harmonists (1997)
    The Harmonists (1997)
    Ulrich Noethen in The Harmonists (1997)
    Max Tidof in The Harmonists (1997)
    Heinrich Schafmeister in The Harmonists (1997)
    Kai Wiesinger in The Harmonists (1997)
    Ben Becker in The Harmonists (1997)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Ben Becker
    Ben Becker
    • Robert Biberti
    Heino Ferch
    Heino Ferch
    • Roman Cycowski
    Ulrich Noethen
    Ulrich Noethen
    • Harry Frommermann
    Heinrich Schafmeister
    Heinrich Schafmeister
    • Erich A. Collin
    Max Tidof
    Max Tidof
    • Ari Leschnikoff
    Kai Wiesinger
    Kai Wiesinger
    • Erwin Bootz
    Meret Becker
    Meret Becker
    • Erna Eggstein
    Katja Riemann
    Katja Riemann
    • Mary Cycowski
    Noemi Fischer
    • Chantal, Collin's Girlfriend
    Dana Vávrová
    Dana Vávrová
    • Ursula Bootz
    Otto Sander
    Otto Sander
    • Bruno Levy
    Michaela Rosen
    • Ramona, the Madame
    Günter Lamprecht
    • Eric Charell
    Gérard Samaan
    • Roman's Father
    • (as Gérard Semaan)
    Rolf Hoppe
    Rolf Hoppe
    • Gauleiter Streicher
    Jürgen Schornagel
    Jürgen Schornagel
    • Reich Music Director
    Rudolf Wessely
    Rudolf Wessely
    • Herr Grunbaum
    Susi Nicoletti
    Susi Nicoletti
    • Frau Grunbaum
    • Director
      • Joseph Vilsmaier
    • Writers
      • Jürgen Büscher(story)
      • Jürgen Egger(uncredited)
      • Klaus Richter
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      With very few exceptions, all vocal performances heard during the movie were original recordings of the 1930's group. The old material was de-noised and digitally enhanced.
    • Goofs
      During the performance on the USS Saratoga, black sailors are shown on the vessel mixed with white sailors. The navy did not integrate until 1949.
    • 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.

    • Crazy credits
      After the movie, before the end credits, a photo of the real Comedian Harmonists is shown.
    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: True Crime/Ravenous/The King and I/Forces of Nature/The Harmonists (1999)
    • Soundtracks
      Tango Comedie
      Composed and arranged by Winfried Grabe

    User reviews32

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Great Music, Tedious Film
    Even though I have been addicted to the Comedian Harmonists ever since I nicked one of their records from my grandma's collection when I was an innocent little kid (which consequently caused me a great deal of social suffering, because my peers were into Kiss or Van Halen at a time when I was humming "Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus"), I found it hard to sit through this movie. Vilsmaier is very adept at spotting interesting movie material (such as Stalingrad or Marlene Dietrich), at financing and marketing his productions, and signing up A - list actors; but his directing is wooden and painting - by - numbers, the movies themselves are tripe. If you are interested in the Comedian Harmonists I recommend you watch the 1976 documentary instead.
    helpful•10
    8
    • Karl Self
    • Apr 21, 2001

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • December 25, 1997 (Germany)
    • Countries of origin
      • Germany
      • Austria
    • Official site
      • Official Release Site
    • Languages
      • German
      • English
      • French
      • Hebrew
    • Also known as
      • Comedian Harmonists
    • Filming locations
      • Bad Fischau, Lower Austria, Austria(public bath scenes)
    • Production companies
      • Bavaria Film
      • Beta Film
      • Parathon
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $244,861
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $25,141
      • Mar 14, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $244,861
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 55 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 2.35 : 1

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