I'm not a big fan of "TV Movies" those dreadful things that seem to fill 50% of the films shown on Sky; they all have dreadful titles like Baby Of The Bride, Not Without My Daughter, One Woman's Son or Cat In Dog's Pyjama's. In 1994 I saw something to change my views.
As the movie open's you are shown a group of padded up medical staff in an African town having just incinerated a whole village of Africans whom had all died of a mystery illness. Dr. Don Francis knows that this illness is going to be big; and is determined to keep it contained; however with no knowledge of how long since the illness had began it's best to assume that the disease has spread beyond the confines of the village.
In New York a member of American Airlines Cabin Crew is explaining to his Doctor about his fantastic life, jetting here there and everywhere. On top of his fabulous life he gets to spend time seducing whomever he pleases. Spending so much time travelling its highly unlikely he'll ever encounter these flings again.
But when hundreds of New York residents start to fall ill a connection is drawn between the Cabin Steward and the African town. As the disease rages out of control the infected residents go from their hundreds to there thousands; and on top of that its not just restricted to
New York; the illness is seen the world over in England, Italy, Australia, Mexico the list goes on. While Dr. Don Francis and his team struggle to find out what exactly has caused the illness and how to prevent it; the infected begin to die and the numbers reported worldwide are increasing daily.
But as we all know no true resolution has yet been found; for this is the story of the disease known as AIDS.
Cast
Matthew Modine .... Dr. Don Francis Alan Alda .... Dr. Robert Gallo David Clennon .... Mr. Johnstone Phil Collins .... Eddie Papasano Richard Gere .... The Choreographer David Marshall Grant .... Dennis Seeley Glenne Headly .... Dr. Mary Guinan Anjelica Huston .... Dr. Betsy Reisz Tchéky Karyo .... Dr. Willy Rozenbaum Swoosie Kurtz .... Mrs. Johnstone Steve Martin .... The Brother Richard Masur .... William W. Darrow, PhD Ian McKellen .... Bill Kraus Saul Rubinek .... Dr. Jim Curran Charles Martin Smith .... Dr. Harold Jaffe Lily Tomlin .... Dr. Selma Dritz B.D. Wong .... Kico Govantes Laura Innes .... Hemophiliac Representative Brad Davis .... Billy Hayes Denholm Elliott .... Himself Rock Hudson .... Himself Magic Johnson .... Himself Liberace .... Himself Freddie Mercury .... Himself Anthony Perkins .... Himself Princess Diana .... Herself Elizabeth Taylor .... Herself
You cannot help but look at the casting of this movie in awe, for these were the big stars of the time. Matthew Modine had just completed Fluke, Alan Alda has a career spanning over 40 years and is best know for his role in MASH, David Clennon a popular re-occurring character in the smash hit show Thirtysomething, Phil Collins had a successful music career. Then names that need no introduction Richard Gere, Anjelica Huston, Steve Martin, Ian McKellen, Lily Tomlin, the list goes on. Without a doubt this has to be one of the most impressive castings of the 1990's. And furthermore all the cast waived their fees diverting all payments to aids foundations.
Overview
The great thing about When The Band Played on is it immediately dispels all the myths. AIDS used to be called the Gay Plague but the movie points out in no uncertain terms that it was affecting the heterosexual community before it hit any other. It also clearly explains where the disease came from, although obviously being unable to explain what created it. The movie then goes on to explain how it hits the homosexual community; and this was through the bathing area's so popular with homosexuals during the 1980's. And in particular how one bathing parlour run by Eddie Papasano was the major key into its entry within the community. It graphically (although not visually) explains how the baths were used for massive gay orgies and that pretty much everyone who used the baths became infected.
But the movie address's the illness in a positive manner its given a level of respect showing that sex was not the only way to contract the disease. In fact the movie itself serves as a fantastic learning tool in my opinion for children who may be interested in this topic.
The story is phenomenally well structured; initially keeping the disease itself a secret, giving you time to guess what the illness is; however the DVD cover, press releases and now this review tell you anyway. I considered trying to cloak the illness but I felt it far too crucial especially from anyone considering this as a learning tool. The movie goes out of its way to express no prejudice. The Director Roger Spottiswoode spends as little time as he can focusing on the drawn out areas; he keeps the story moving along at a very vibrant pace.
I don't need to comment on the acting; we know that with this calibre of casting its bound to be good. Each major actor has some key input to the story. The only thing I can say against the film is that few of the characters that become infected are revisited, so you don't actually get to see the pain and torment they go through, I think in doing so they quash part of the message. You know the characters have died, you just don't know how. And to have illuminated this with just one character would have made the piece in my opinion far more powerful.
As TV movies go this is the best and most powerful I have ever seen, I would recommend it to anyone.
There are no special features, additional languages or subtitles.
And The Band Played On is available from Play.com for just £6.99 this includes free postage.
Pictures of And The Band Played On (DVD)
Principal Cast
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 1957 - Drama - Director: Leo McCarey - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Cathleen Nesbitt, Deborah Kerr, Cary Grant, Richard Denning, Neva Patterson, Fortunio Bonanova
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
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