And the Band Played On (1993)
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100% of critics liked it
(8 reviews) -
82% of users liked it
(7,165 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,… 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
- Directed By
- Roger Spottiswoode
- Written By
- Randy Shilts, Arnold Schulman
- Genres
- Drama, Television
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- Sep 11, 1993 Wide
- Studio
- HBO Video
Critic Reviews
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Sarah Chauncey, Reel.com
No production could accurately reproduce Randy Shilts' chilling account of the early days of AIDS, but this comes close.
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Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Pretty powerful TV film about the AIDS epidemic and government inaction.
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Nell Minow, Movie Mom at Yahoo! Movies
Earnest but still moving. Gere and Headly are great.
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Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
An all-star ensemble works wonders in this heart-breaking adaptation.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Walter Addison
as Blood Bank Executive
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Alan Barry
as Hemophiliac Patient
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Patrick Bauchau
as Dr. Luc Montagnier
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Nathalie Baye
as Dr. Francoise Barre
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Reg E. Cathey
as Staff Doctor #2
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Christian Clemenson
as Dr. Dale Lawrence
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David Clennon
as Mr. Johnstone
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Clyde Kusatsu
as Blood Bank Executive
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Alex Courtney
as Dr. Mika Popovic
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John Del Regno
as Man in Grand Central
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David Dukes
as Dr. Mervyn Silverman
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John Durbin
as 6th Man
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Carey Eidel
as Tennis Player
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Richard Fancy
as Dr. Michael Gottlieb
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Christopher John Fields
as Lawyer
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Dave Florek
as Doughnut Shop Counterman
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Richard Gere
as Choreographer
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David Marshall Grant
as Dennis Seeley
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Ronald Guttman
as Dr. Jean-Claude Chermann
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Glenne Headly
as Dr. Mary Guinan
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Anjelica Huston
as Dr. Betsy Reisz
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Richard Jenkins
as Dr. Marc Conant
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Tcheky Karyo
as Dr. Willy Rozenbaum
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Michael Kearns
as Cleve
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Thomas Kopache
as Blood Bank Executive
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Swoosie Kurtz
as Mrs. Johnstone
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Rob La Belle
as Gay Rights Activist
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Jack Laufer
as Brian McDonough
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Neal Lerner
as 1st Man
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Donal Logue
as Bobbi Campbell
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Richard Masur
as William W. Darrow Ph.D
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Dakin Matthews
as Congressman Phil Burton
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Ian McKellen
as Bill Kraus
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Peter McRobbie
as Dr. Max Essex
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Matthew Modine
as Dr. Don Francis
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Lawrence Monoson
as Chip
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Jeffrey Nordling
as Gaetan Dugas
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Angela Paton
as Woman in Denver
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Sierra Pecheur
as Female Reporter
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Saul Rubinek
as Dr. Curran
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Tom Schanley
as Waiter
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Stephen Spinella
as Brandy Alexander
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B.D. Wong
as Kico Govantes
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Alan Alda
as Dr. Robert Gallo
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Phil Collins
as Eddie Papasano
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Bud Cort
as Antique Shop Owner
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Ken Jenkins
as Dr. Dennis Donohue
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Steve Martin
as Brother
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Charles Martin Smith
as Dr. Harold Jaffe
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Lily Tomlin
as Dr. Selma Dritz
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Raymond Martin
as 4th Man
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Mogens Eckert
as Chief Executive (Copenhagen)
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Patrick Gorman
as Charles Dauget
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Rosemarie Murphy
as Blood Bank Executive
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Miguel Pérez
as Reporter
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Valeri Ross
as Jim's Secretary
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Rene Levant
as Blood Bank Executive
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William Wintersole
as Dr. Paul Florino
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Jill Andre
as Red Cross Spokesperson
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Christopher Carroll
as Dr. Aaron Kellner
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Laura Innes
as Hemophiliac Representative
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Jack Kenny
as San Francisco Activist
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Michael Winters
as Middle-aged Man
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James Greene
as Dr. Alvin Freedman-Kien
