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And the Band Played On

Play trailer Poster for And the Band Played On TV-PG 1993 2h 20m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 12 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
In 1981, epidemiologist Don Francis (Matthew Modine) learns of an increased rate of death among gay men in urban areas. The startling information leads him to begin investigating the outbreak, which is ultimately identified as AIDS. His journey finds mostly opposition from politicians and doctors, but several join him in his cause. As it becomes apparent that people have personal reasons to turn the other cheek, Francis persists. Meanwhile, the number of deaths continues to grow.
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And the Band Played On

Critics Reviews

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Tony Scott Variety 10/17/2018
As a TV movie about a highly sensitive subject, overall it's a moving experience. Go to Full Review Howard Rosenberg Los Angeles Times 01/25/2018
And the Band Played On adds its own snare-drum resonance to the AIDS catastrophe, beating elements of Randy Shilts' journalism into a passionate, incisive condemnation of the government's public health policy regarding this epidemic. Go to Full Review Sheila Johnston Independent (UK) 11/14/2017
I enjoyed seeing A-list actors in the sort of small supporting role they would never otherwise accept. And they got the film made. Go to Full Review Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault 08/31/2022
B
The movie is long on virtue, but it’s naturally compelling — a cosmic murder mystery. Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/14/2005
3/5
Sarah Chauncey Reel.com 06/06/2004
4/5
No production could accurately reproduce Randy Shilts' chilling account of the early days of AIDS, but this comes close. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Mikey B Jul 4 Story of the Aids crisis has an all star cast and a great story to tell. The sense of frustration with these times is palpable. Will definitely stay with you. See more PridePosterStudios 09/20/2023 Stronger films about AIDS are out there. See more Mr. Goodbytes J @TheRealAckervold 08/02/2023 A well-done investigative drama. Its impressively veteran cast provides a well thought-out, realistic television film, and its screenplay doesn't hold back in telling the truth about its controversial situation. Mr. Modine's Dr. Francis is the embodiment of common sense in the film-- the voice of reason and soundness. His character, of course, did exist and was an actual scientist, and did actual things in the film. However, the filmmakers also use Dr. Francis as a bridge between us, the audience, and the scientists trying to discover and develop a cost-effective method of treating the virus. One refreshing element of the film is the constant use of archive footage from news in the 1980s. It helps anchor the movie in the aesthetic of the time. See more 11/06/2021 I have watched it on & off over the years I am glad HBO never got rid of it See more 04/28/2020 One of the most moving I have ever seen. See more 03/31/2020 A story telling masterpiece. Set between the early 1970's and through parts of the 1980s, it follows the researchers who did ground breaking research on HIV. This made for TV movie is undoubtedly one of the best. See more Read all reviews
And the Band Played On

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Cast & Crew

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Roger Spottiswoode

Director

Matthew Modine

Dr. Don Francis

Alan Alda

Dr. Robert Gallo

Lily Tomlin

Dr. Selma Dritz

Richard Gere

The Choreographer

Steve Martin

The Brother

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And the Band Played On

And the Band Played On (1993) And the Band Played On (1993) And the Band Played On (1993) And the Band Played On (1993) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis In 1981, epidemiologist Don Francis (Matthew Modine) learns of an increased rate of death among gay men in urban areas. The startling information leads him to begin investigating the outbreak, which is ultimately identified as AIDS. His journey finds mostly opposition from politicians and doctors, but several join him in his cause. As it becomes apparent that people have personal reasons to turn the other cheek, Francis persists. Meanwhile, the number of deaths continues to grow.
Director
Roger Spottiswoode
Production Co
HBO Films
Rating
TV-PG, PG-13
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 1, 2016
Runtime
2h 20m
Sound Mix
Stereo
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