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!

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.

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...

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!!!