Female prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp (Auschwitz) are spared from death in return for performing music for their captors.Female prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp (Auschwitz) are spared from death in return for performing music for their captors.Female prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp (Auschwitz) are spared from death in return for performing music for their captors.
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- Won 4 Primetime Emmys
- 5 wins & 4 nominations total
Anna Thomson
- Michou
- (as Anna Kluger Levine)
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Featured reviews
The script pointedly shows many different perspectives of the victims of the German Nazi's holocaust: Communists, Zionists, homosexuals, artists, Germans, Poles, others - and how they perceive what is happening to them. Also the horror for these individuals to survive day after day while others are killed around them. And the struggle to retain a sense of being human. Wonderfully written. Hard to watch for sure. A must-see.
This moving human Drama is one of the most touching movies I have ever seen.
Vanessa Redgrave is superb and strong as Fania Fénelon, a jewish singer from
France ending up in Auschwitz, and makes the role of her life.
I would say it is as important and grand as 'Schindler's List' and 'The Pianist', about the horrors of the Holocaust.
So, why is this not available on video? I've been trying for years to get hold of a copy of this moving drama.. and nobody seems to know who's holding the
copyright... It's really a shame that this classic is not available on dvd!!
Vanessa Redgrave is superb and strong as Fania Fénelon, a jewish singer from
France ending up in Auschwitz, and makes the role of her life.
I would say it is as important and grand as 'Schindler's List' and 'The Pianist', about the horrors of the Holocaust.
So, why is this not available on video? I've been trying for years to get hold of a copy of this moving drama.. and nobody seems to know who's holding the
copyright... It's really a shame that this classic is not available on dvd!!
10dewey22
I was more impressed by Vanessa Redgrave's performance than any female performance , in any medium. As a musician prisoner in a Nazi death camp, she exceeded any of her other brilliant performances. Aside from Vanessa, the movie should not be missed and hopefully released again.
10rondine
This is a wonderful, powerful and very moving picture. This is one of the best WWII films surrounding the victims of the Holocaust. The dialog and acting throughout is superb! I too am aware that the Jewish Defense League didn't want Vanessa Redgrave playing the main character for political reasons. There should be NO politics in acting, just the right actors for the right roles. Ms. Redgrave is definately the right person for the role. I don't know all about her personal politics and don't care when it comes to seeing a movie like this one. Her commitment to this role is absolutely mesmerizing. I even heard that in addition to shaving her head for the role, she used a safety pin to injure her lip instead of just letting the makeup people fake something. She bares her soul in a way that few actors can. Jane Alexander is also very worthy as the Director of the orchestra that Fania(Redgrave) is a part of. If you get a chance to see this on tv, don't miss it. I am fortunate to have taped it when it originally aired. Some video stores may also have a copy. Remembering the past is a way to make sure it is never repeated- if you see this movie, it will be one more vivid memory of why we should never forget.
Firstly I have to say that this is not your usual stereotype Jewish holocaust movie: It goes much, much beyond any ideological rhetoric, to deal with Human condition.However, you have the Concentration Camp as a background for one of the best contemporary playwrights (arguably The best!) to create and develop his masterpiece .It is worthwhile to know that Arthur Miller persisted in his demand to put Venessa Redgrave in the the leading role, in spite of all the threats and protests of JDL.Here, she presents one of her most magnificent performances as an Artist trapped in the most dehumanizing conditions one could imagine.The dialogue is absolutely superb, and the actings are quite decent.A must see.
Did you know
- TriviaThe real Fania Fenelon was upset over the casting of Dame Vanessa Redgrave due to her support of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
- GoofsUpon joining the camp orchestra, Fania Fenelon (Vanessa Redgrave) is asked by the women's commandant for her shoe size. Fenelon replies with the American shoe size "9", whereas in reality she would have given the European equivalent size of 40.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1981)
- SoundtracksJ'Attendrai
(Tornerai)
Music by Dino Olivieri
Italian lyrics by Nino Rastelli
French lyrics by Louis Poterat
Performed by Vanessa Redgrave
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- Spiel um Zeit - Das Mädchenorchester in Auschwitz
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