The Harmonists

Even though I have been addicted to the Comedian Harmonists ever since I nicked one of their records from my grandma's collection when I was an innocent little kid (which consequently caused me a great deal of social suffering, because my peers were into Kiss or Van Halen at a time when I was humming "Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus"), I found it hard to sit through this movie. Vilsmaier is very adept at spotting interesting movie material (such as Stalingrad or Marlene Dietrich), at financing and marketing his productions, and signing up A - list actors; but his directing is wooden and painting - by - numbers, the movies themselves are tripe. If you are interested in the Comedian Harmonists I recommend you watch the 1976 documentary instead.

Since it happens in Germany, and starts around 1927, you are certain to have some misgivings about the course of events. Yes, you are justified in those misgivings, because Joseph Vilsmayer brings it all out into the open, from the first racial harassments of the partly Jewish group, (three of them were Jews, wholly or partly, and the pianist had a Jewish wife,) to the direct political persecutions, forcing the most loved and successful singing group of Europe at that time to split and break up, as they were forbidden to perform in Germany. They were six, but one of them was only a pianist, and three of them were tenors, the other two being a baritone and bass. Yet they all six played more or less the lead in every song they presented, the pianist being vital for accompaniment, rhythm and direction, the first tenor crowning every performance with his very characteristic brilliance, the bass always entering with very efficient solos, and so on - they were six musicians in an entity constituting a perfect musical unity, all indispensable and extremely musical - they're practically all vocal virtuosos. The story is gripping, and the more so for being true, and there are some scenes you will never forget, some party scenes, especially the Jewish wedding, the hilarious American tour, perhaps the peak of their success - and after the split-up three of them returned to America to try a fresh career over there, but once they had split they never found each other again, and their special musical magic was lost forever. Fortunately most of their recordings are still available, and Joseph Vilsmayer, who also shot the German "Stalingrad", has made a miraculous job of quality in restoring the epoch, the magic, the irresistible good humour and the musical transcendence of this immortal and nowadays legendary group.

Throughout the 30s and 40s, everyone in Germany loved the Comedian Harmonists when they came over the radio, although it must have been the follow-up group rather than the original one. It is interesting and moving to see that original group and hear their songs again; and it illuminates once more the idiocy of the Nazis to silence and drive away such worthwhile people who felt as, and wanted to be, good Germans.

However, their confrontation with the Storm Troopers as shown in the movie, and presumably taking place in 1933, is an unfortunate exaggeration, because window smashing and physical abuse did not occur that early during the Nazi regime. Also, railway stations were not adorned with giant swastika flags - they would have turned black quickly from the soot of the steam engines. There was no need by the producers to deviate on these points from the historical accuracy - a deviation that throws a somewhat questionable light on the rest of the story.

Yet these producers did manage to find five men who sing beautifully, with the same perfection and tonal range of the Comedian Harmonists, which makes this film eminently enjoyable after all.

One of the finest German films I've had the pleasure of seeing, 'Comedian Harmonists' tells the true story of a sextet of male singers who form a very famous group in Berlin when Hitler's Socialist party is just starting to get powerful. Of the six, three of them happen to be Jewish, which puts a dampener on their future when it's decreed that only Aryan entertainers will be allowed to perform in Germany. With a love triangle thrown in the mix, as well as the confusion of this almost sudden racial division, the members struggle to really come to terms with their future together. There are some chilling moments involving the hypocritical Nazis, indulging in some ironic entertainment care of the Comedian Harmonists, as well as some great musical segments. With some great performances from the entire cast - the stand outs are Ulrich Noethen as Harry Frommermann and Meret Becker as Erna - the film is a joy to watch, especially the wonderful musical sections, which at first I found to be tedious but then seemed to lift the film. Go figure. Joseph Vilsmaier, director of the excellent 'Stalingrad', has crafted a very entertaining film in this at times funny, joyous and very moving picture. (Watch for the ending - sentimental it may be, but it's very sad, IMO.) Recommended.

The story of the group "Comedian Harmonists" must take its place among the best films of the 1990's, no matter from what country. The story is told in a loving and respectful way and generates genuine interest in the characters and their music- the true brotherhood of men who love to sing. I'm sure the filmmakers forgot that until 1948 the U.S. military was segregated - and also about the American flag having only 48 stars. But, who cares? Some things from the 1930s no longer exist (especially the USS Saratoga - lost in the Bikini A-bomb tests of 1946) and are impossible to recreate; but this does not detract from the period realism of the film or the wondrous performances of the entire cast. A true 10 out of 10!