Opiniones de usuarios

The true story of one of the greatest singing groups ever to hit the scene during the World Depression Era is effective in showing Berlin during imminent Nazi take-over, but seems to focus mainly on the issue of religion. Other than debating who's Jewish and who isn't, there is a preoccupation with the services of prostitutes, and marrying the same once successful.

The group member with the initial idea to "do something" is shown eating bird seed, implying he can not even afford groceries. Once gathered, the ensemble rehearses for months without pay, for the sheer chance at eventual success. Of course they do make it big; too big for the liking of certain political party sympathisers.

For fans of the original music (including the FDR Presidential Campaign song "Happy Days Are Here Again") this film delivers. Many of the legendary tunes are worked into the plot. The "naughty" suggestions in "Veronika, der Lenz ist da" are accepted by even respectable upper class theater guests, paving the way for recording contracts and world stardom of the newly discovered "Comedian Harmonists".

This German/Austrian co-production filmed in German has high production values. The setting reminds of "Cabaret", however the story (although based on true events) is rather thin. The overuse of some of the above mentioned situations becomes unnecessary and boring. As a viewer with a background extremely partial to this story I looked for detail and could see several obvious embellishments for the sake of drama. There must have been more than wine, women and song to tell about. The final minutes somewhat redeem the earlier shortcomings, delivering a tear-jerking love story along with sad good-byes amidst still-cheering audiences

Taken at face value, one would think that a film about a singing group called the "Comedian Harmonists" in the Berlin of the nineteen twenties, would be dull indeed. Not so.At two and a half hours, not once did my attention wander.The director, Joseph Vilsmaier, does such a magnificent job of telling the story of this very popular, German singing group, that I would have liked to have been there to hear them in person.The hedonism of Berlin in the twenties. The rise of the 'Brown Shirts', the vilification of the Jews, Vilsmaier captures it perfectly, without stooping to mawkish sentiment.Of course, this film is more than just a film about a very popular singing group. It's also about the evils of national-socialism, allowing men like Streicher (one of Hitler's most vicious jew-baiters - even the top Nazis didn't like the man), to grow and flourish. The look of the period is excellent. Each character is deftly drawn, while still not losing sight that primarily,it was a group. There's a wonderful scene towards the end where the 'Harmonists' sing in front of thousands of sailors. Tremendously stirring! One quibble: the Algonquin Hotel in New York, where the Harmonists stay, was not, as far as I know, located down near the Brooklyn Bridge.But that shouldn't detract anybody from going to see this wonderful film.

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.

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.

Excellent example of how politics should stay out of art (e.g. Shostakovich in Stalin's time and blacklisting of artists in US in McCarthy era). This movie draws the viewer in - what will happen to the members of the group? Will they survive Hitler's Germany? Realistic portrayals of both squabbling and camaraderie that exists inside creative groups. Well-photographed in proper time period fashions and decor, music pleasing to the ear. A real treat!

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.

Comedian Harmonists

The Comedian Harmonists was a wonderful film that I would recommend to anyone who doesn't mind watching a foreign film. This is a true story about a German musical group of six men. They are a comical group that based their style on a popular American group, the Revelers. The Comedian Harmonists gained their fame and popularity during the time when Hitler came into power. These men were loved by all even the Nazi soldiers, but ironically three of the six men happened to be Jewish. And just like the rest of the Jewish of people during Hitler's rule, they were not able to continue to lead their normal lives, celebrities or not. You see spectacular scenes in this film were the group performs and you get good examples of the harsh treatment of the Jews by the Nazi. There is a love triangle with in the group that brings out a steady stream of character development. This with the racial segregation makes all of the character come to term with their futures. There was a wonderful performance by the entire cast; I could not imagine any other actors or actress for the roles. The lighting and sound of the movie was good, with great shots to go with them. Overall this is a wonderful film.

The film, Comedian Harmonists, give us a different and evolving look at the effects of the racist policies of national socialism. It showed, better than I've seen, the slow, subtle changes in behavior and attitudes of both the oppressor and the oppressed --- the denial, then realization, that this could and is happening. This evolution made even more believable because this a true story about six very talented people, three of which who are Jewish, who form a musical group in 1927 in Berlin. As national socialism cements its hold on Germany, external pressure is brought on the group for containing Jewish members resulting in internal pressures within the group. The interpersonal relationships made for a compelling story. Add to this a great love story, good acting, fantastic musical score, and interesting people you come to care for, and you have a great movie. Since the film "finishes" in 1934, I particularly enjoyed the follow up at the end telling what happened to each of them. For a fascinating look at anecdotal history, I highly recommend that you see this film. Three and a half stars!!!

This beautiful set movie shows the interesting and problematic situation of (musical) artists in Germany and later on of most European states between the world wars. Best actors (Heino Ferch, Ben Becker, Kai Wiesinger and premiere of Ulrich Noethen) guarantee fun between the songs. The actresses (Katja Riemann, Meret Becker (sister of Ben, here lover) and Dana Vavrova (director's wife)) could show more of their capabilitis if the movie would have been longer. The True history makes it very interesting and the director Joseph Vilsmaier is on same level as the other germans: W. Petersen and R. Emmerich.

The music cannot be better: It is the original (technically repaired).

"If we hadn't had to separate, we were more famous than the Beatles today." So says Roman Cycowski, the last survivor of the Comedian Harmonists. Joseph Vilsmayer's movie is the story of the first boy-group of the world. "Veronika, der Lenz ist da" and "Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus" are just two of the unforgettable songs sung by this sextet. Founded 1927 in Berlin, Germany, the Harmonists get quickly very popular in whole Europe. But with the upcoming national-socialism the three Jewish members of the Comedian Harmonists felt compelled to flee into the exile. Vilsmayer succeeds a magnificient movie about a German legend - a movie, which stands out good against the customary German comedy-monotony of the last years.

Joseph Vilsmaier is Germany's Steven Spielberg. He is the routinier. He can make a film about anything, and you won't notice that it's his movie. Still, everybody knows Vilsmaier because there are only few movies he made and all of them were made a lot of fuss about because they were supposed to be great epic tomes that costed a lot of money. This movie about the famous a-cappella-band Comedian Harmonists is just the same. It's long and it tells a true story; nothing special.

Vilsmaier tried to combine six biographies, which could only go wrong. The musical scenes are the only pleasant change in this movie. But even they show that the money spent for the production was not invested in quality: we hear the original voices of the Comedian Harmonists through the mouthes of the actors – but we don't believe in a second that it's the actors who sing.

Comedian Harmonists is truly a masterpiece! It shows that many Germans suffered under Hitler and the nazi regime too! But I can't understand why this great movie is rated R in US? The German rating is 6(!)! In my opinion especially young children should watch "Comedian Harmonists" to learn more about humanity and the hard life in hard times.

What a wonderful surprise to learn about German vocalists from the past! And their music and vocal talent were absolutely superb. Very well acted, especially from Ulrich Noethen, the guy who played Harry Frommermann...he had such wide range of emotions he deserves to win acting awards. Don't miss this! You don't see American films like this!

Wonderfully moving film about so many things: music, friendships, dignity, denial, cruelty, hopelessness, hope and love. Can't wait to buy the soundtrack and dvd.

Comedian Harmonists is in my opinion one of the best Austrian/German productions. The actors are great, thanks to this film, I've become interested in Heino Ferch and Kai Wiesinger which gave me the opportunity to appreciate even more German films!!!!! Comedian Harmonists is one of those German films who needn't hide and could easily challenge a lot of American productions!

Excellent movie with no false sentiments (well maybe one or two) Objective movie for not taking stands, (political nor religious) just showing the facts as it happened (of course dramatized). Superb actors; great scenery and last but not least the MUSIC (notice, music with capitals) For everyone who didn't see, i voted 10/10, and recommend it to everybody. Sally...

I love this movie, it is a wonderful movie. I cried when the Comedian Harmonists had to make their last show and they sang "Auf Wiedersehen, my dear". A fantastic movie with many beautiful songs, "Mein kleiner grüner Kaktus" or "Irgendwo auf der Welt", just to mention two. See this movie!!!!

Although they appear to have been remembered (vaguely) in Europe where they achieved genuine stardom, the Comedian Harmonists were essentially unknown in the United States before this excellent film. Their closest contemporary analogue may be the Kings Singers, a group which has actually recorded many of the Comedian Harmonists songs and, like the German group, sings in close harmony, blending their voices so that none stands out until it's required. The effectiveness of the film is immeasurably enhanced by the use of actual recordings, with the on-screen ensemble lip-syncing the words. The Comedian Harmonists came to the fore during the late twenties and were extinguished when the Nazis came to power because they sang many songs by Jewish composers and three of the six members were Jewish. Although certain liberties have been taken with the biographies of the individual singers, their story comes alive on the screen with faithful attention to period detail. The focus is more on two of the six musicians (and their girlfriend-in-common) than on the other four. Nevertheless, each of the six is realized as an individual. It's a splendid film, available on Netflix, and I found it sufficiently entertaining that I will search out their recordings. But, beyond being entertaining, it tells a moving story about the impact that the rise of Hitler had on the lives of individuals who were essentially apolitical beings with no agenda other than to entertain and to succeed.

The film moves along well, with very enjoyable music. The film does not sink into exploitation, and is surprisingly upbeat for its era (Germany 1930's). I recommend it. The only less-strong area is in the romantic triangle...hard to tell what he/they see in her and vice versa.

That piece has to be one of my favorite movies of all time. It isn`t that much of a documentary but it`s a fine music film about an astonishing band and more than that, it shows the fearful end of friendship and art the nazis caused with their ways. Everybody should see it, even if you don`t know the group, they do represent the heights of German culture, right before the anti-culturals rose to power. And Germany never recovered...

Not a holocaust movie! More importantly than the incredible cruelty violence and unthinkably vile holocaust are the reasons behind it. I often think that I and my family and friends are much like the middle class in German pre Hitler. The black minority would have you believe America is made up of brown shirt para governmental thugs reigning havoc on them. In my circle most think my opinion of the Obama governmental thug like actions are hysterical. Many in Europe never wised up even as they saw there clothing being sorted and piled high before entering the "showers" so they wouldn't louse up the camp.

Even as a non Jew member of the group fought between his love of his family and group members. The Nazi's knew how to control their people. Remember the "A chicken in every pot" is a Hitler quote! Free stuff and falling into line are rewarded under these totalitarian regimes. If you are getting the analogy, thank God, if you aren't then you never will.

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!