And the Band Played On (1993)

100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews)
82% of users liked it
(6,926 ratings)

The late journalist Randy Shilts' best-selling book on the burgeoning AIDS crisis was adapted for cable TV by Arnold Schulman. In 1981, researchers begin discerning a mysterious new disease that apparently affects only homosexual males (or so they thought at that time). Working independently, and… More The late journalist Randy Shilts' best-selling book on the burgeoning AIDS crisis was adapted for cable TV by Arnold Schulman. In 1981, researchers begin discerning a mysterious new disease that apparently affects only homosexual males (or so they thought at that time). Working independently, and with marked hostility toward one another, an American and a French research team manage to identify and name the dreaded HIV virus. The long-range effects of AIDS is experienced through the first- and secondhand experiences of several unfortunates, including a choreographer (Richard Gere) whose character is said to be based on Michael Bennett. The all-star cast (most of whom eschewed their usual high salaries) includes Lily Tomlin as San Francisco health official Selma Dritz, Matthew Modine as Centers for Disease Control researcher Don Francis, Alan Alda as NIH official Robert Gallo (who emerges as the villain of the piece), Ian McKellan as gay activist Bill Kraus, and Glenne Headley, Steve Martin and Anjelica Huston in cameo roles. And the Band Played On debuted September 11, 1993, on HBO. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 2 hr. 20 min.
Directed By: Roger Spottiswoode
Written By: Randy Shilts, Arnold Schulman
Genres: Drama, Television

In Theaters: Sep 11, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jun 5, 2001
Studio: HBO Video

Critic Reviews

Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
No production could accurately reproduce Randy Shilts' chilling account of the early days of AIDS, but this comes close.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Pretty powerful TV film about the AIDS epidemic and government inaction.
Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Earnest but still moving. Gere and Headly are great.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
An all-star ensemble works wonders in this heart-breaking adaptation.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

A wonderful film. HBO never lets me down.
Keysha H

This film chronicles the history of HIV and AIDS. Everyone should watch this moving film!
Andreia C

so sad, but so true
Sunil J

A bit dated mainly because of the actors. I was impressed but the emotional part of the story kinda veers of course and the movie starts focusing more on who gets credit for the antivirus, which wasn't as interesting to me. Some interesting information that I'd never heard… More
A bit dated mainly because of the actors. I was impressed but the emotional part of the story kinda veers of course and the movie starts focusing more on who gets credit for the antivirus, which wasn't as interesting to me. Some interesting information that I'd never heard though and I would recommend it.
Leo L

A great film.
Nate H

Not bad, although it was more a Lifetime movie than an actual film. Still, holds up surprisingly well.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Walter Addison as Blood Bank Executive

            Alan Barry as Hemophiliac Patient

            Patrick Bauchau as Dr. Luc Montagnier

            Nathalie Baye as Dr. Francoise Barre

            Reg E. Cathey as Staff Doctor #2

            Christian Clemenson as Dr. Dale Lawrence

            David Clennon as Mr. Johnstone

            Clyde Kusatsu as Blood Bank Executive

            Alex Courtney as Dr. Mika Popovic

            John Del Regno as Man in Grand Central

            David Dukes as Dr. Mervyn Silverman

            John Durbin as 6th Man

            Carey Eidel as Tennis Player

            Richard Fancy as Dr. Michael Gottlieb

            Christopher John Fields as Lawyer

            Dave Florek as Doughnut Shop Counterman

            Richard Gere as Choreographer

            David Marshall Grant as Dennis Seeley

            Ronald Guttman as Dr. Jean-Claude Chermann

            Glenne Headly as Dr. Mary Guinan

            Anjelica Huston as Dr. Betsy Reisz

            Richard Jenkins as Dr. Marc Conant

            Tcheky Karyo as Dr. Willy Rozenbaum

            Michael Kearns as Cleve

            Thomas Kopache as Blood Bank Executive

            Swoosie Kurtz as Mrs. Johnstone

            Rob La Belle as Gay Rights Activist

            Jack Laufer as Brian McDonough

            Neal Lerner as 1st Man

            Donal Logue as Bobbi Campbell

            Richard Masur as William W. Darrow Ph.D

            Dakin Matthews as Congressman Phil Burton

            Ian McKellen as Bill Kraus

            Peter McRobbie as Dr. Max Essex

            Matthew Modine as Dr. Don Francis

            Lawrence Monoson as Chip

            Jeffrey Nordling as Gaetan Dugas

            Angela Paton as Woman in Denver

            Sierra Pecheur as Female Reporter

            Saul Rubinek as Dr. Curran

            Tom Schanley as Waiter

            Stephen Spinella as Brandy Alexander

            B.D. Wong as Kico Govantes

            Alan Alda as Dr. Robert Gallo

            Phil Collins as Eddie Papasano

            Bud Cort as Antique Shop Owner

            Ken Jenkins as Dr. Dennis Donohue

            Steve Martin as Brother

            Charles Martin Smith as Dr. Harold Jaffe

            Lily Tomlin as Dr. Selma Dritz

            Raymond Martin as 4th Man

            Mogens Eckert as Chief Executive (Copenhagen)

            Patrick Gorman as Charles Dauget

            Rosemarie Murphy as Blood Bank Executive

            Miguel Pérez as Reporter

            Valeri Ross as Jim's Secretary

            Rene Levant as Blood Bank Executive

            William Wintersole as Dr. Paul Florino

            Jill Andre as Red Cross Spokesperson

            Christopher Carroll as Dr. Aaron Kellner

            Laura Innes as Hemophiliac Representative

            Jack Kenny as San Francisco Activist

            Michael Winters as Middle-aged Man

            James Greene as Dr. Alvin Freedman-Kien
See full cast