Rating: R
Genre:
Drama
Release Date: 06/05/2001
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/Espanol
Sound: 5.1/1
Run Time: 140 min
Flags: Suitable for Children
Distributor/Studio: HBO Home Video
The late journalist
Randy Shilts' best-selling book on the burgeoning AIDS crisis was adapted for cable TV by
Arnold Schulman. In 1981, researchers begin discerning a mysterious new disease that apparently affects only homosexual males (or so they thought at that time). Working independently, and with marked hostility toward one another, an American and a French research team manage to identify and name the dreaded HIV virus. The long-range effects of AIDS is experienced through the first- and secondhand experiences of several unfortunates, including a choreographer (
Richard Gere) whose character is said to be based on
Michael Bennett. The all-star cast (most of whom eschewed their usual high salaries) includes
Lily Tomlin as San Francisco health official
Selma Dritz,
Matthew Modine as Centers for Disease Control researcher
Don Francis,
Alan Alda as NIH official
Robert Gallo (who emerges as the villain of the piece),
Ian McKellan as gay activist
Bill Kraus, and
Glenne Headley,
Steve Martin and
Anjelica Huston in cameo roles.
And the Band Played On debuted September 11, 1993, on
HBO.
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
;)
