Comedian Harmonists (The Harmonists) (1998)
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81% of critics liked it
(36 reviews) -
83% of users liked it
(950 ratings)
Joseph Vilsmaier (Stalingrad and Brother of Sleep) directed this fact-based German musical drama about a popular barbershop sextet in Nazi Germany of the '30s. In 1927, musician Harry Frommermann (Ulrich Noethen), attracted to music-shop assistant Erna (Meret Becker), joins ambitious vocalist… More Joseph Vilsmaier (Stalingrad and Brother of Sleep) directed this fact-based German musical drama about a popular barbershop sextet in Nazi Germany of the '30s. In 1927, musician Harry Frommermann (Ulrich Noethen), attracted to music-shop assistant Erna (Meret Becker), joins ambitious vocalist Robert Biberti (Ben Becker) in forming a vocal group with arranger Erwin (Kai Wiesinger) and Bulgarian cafe-singer Ari (Max Tidof). As their fame increases, the authorities, who object to the Jews in the group, pressure them to perform National Socialist material. Traveling to New York, they eventually must decide whether to remain in the U.S. or return to Germany. The musical numbers use digitally remastered recordings by the real-life group, and computer graphics were employed to re-create a 1934 concert aboard an aircraft carrier in New York harbor. Barry Manilow's stage musical Harmony is based on this same music group. Shown at the 1998 Berlin Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi
- Directed By
- Joseph Vilsmaier
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
R,
- In Theaters
- Feb 13, 1999 Wide
- Studio
- Miramax Films
Critic Reviews
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Liam Lacey, Globe and Mail
The movie is history as kitsch, not quite on the Life is Beautiful level of manipulation, but clumsy.
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Susan Stark, Detroit News
A true story from the Nazi era, it deftly fuses politics and show business.
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Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
The Harmonists has a finale that will be appreciated by anyone who loved The Sound of Music. As they say, there won't be a dry eye in the house.
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Peter Rainer, New York Magazine
The story of the Comedian Harmonists, who brought to the waning days of Weimar a bubbly frivolity, is a rich one. Rich enough to keep you watching and wanting to know more.
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J. Hoberman, Village Voice
Performances aside, the movie is dull and perfunctory.
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Cast
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Ben Becker
as Robert Biberti
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Heino Ferch
as Roman Cycowski
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Ulrich Noethen
as Harry Frommermann
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Heinrich Schafmeister
as Erich A. Collin
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Max Tidof
as Ari Leschnikoff
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Kai Wiesinger
as Erwin Bootz
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Meret Becker
as Erna Eggstein
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Katja Riemann
as Mary Cycowski
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Dana Vávrová
as Ursula Bootz
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Noemi Fischer
as Chantal
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Otto Sander
as Bruno Levy
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Michaela Rosen
as Ramona
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Günter Lamprecht
as Eric Charell
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Gerard Samaan
as Roman's Father
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Rolf Hoppe
as Streicher
