Playing for Time
- TV Movie
- 1980
- 2h 30m
IMDb RATING
7.3/10
2.9K
YOUR RATING
Female prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp (Auschwitz) are spared from death in return for performing music for their captors.Female prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp (Auschwitz) are spared from death in return for performing music for their captors.Female prisoners in a Nazi concentration camp (Auschwitz) are spared from death in return for performing music for their captors.
- Won 4 Primetime Emmys
- 5 wins & 4 nominations total
Anna Thomson
- Michou
- (as Anna Kluger Levine)
- Directors
- Daniel Mann
- Joseph Sargent(uncredited)
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe real Fania Fenelon was upset over the casting of Vanessa Redgrave due to her support of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
- GoofsUpon joining the camp orchestra, Fania Fenelon (Vanessa Redgrave) is asked by the women's commandant for her shoe size. Fenelon replies with the American shoe size "9", whereas in reality she would have given the European equivalent size of 40.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 33rd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1981)
- SoundtracksJ'Attendrai
(Tornerai)
Music by Dino Olivieri
Italian lyrics by Nino Rastelli
French lyrics by Louis Poterat
Performed by Vanessa Redgrave
Featured review
One of the best movies I've ever seen about the struggle for humanity.
This is a wonderful, powerful and very moving picture. This is one of the best WWII films surrounding the victims of the Holocaust. The dialog and acting throughout is superb! I too am aware that the Jewish Defense League didn't want Vanessa Redgrave playing the main character for political reasons. There should be NO politics in acting, just the right actors for the right roles. Ms. Redgrave is definately the right person for the role. I don't know all about her personal politics and don't care when it comes to seeing a movie like this one. Her commitment to this role is absolutely mesmerizing. I even heard that in addition to shaving her head for the role, she used a safety pin to injure her lip instead of just letting the makeup people fake something. She bares her soul in a way that few actors can. Jane Alexander is also very worthy as the Director of the orchestra that Fania(Redgrave) is a part of. If you get a chance to see this on tv, don't miss it. I am fortunate to have taped it when it originally aired. Some video stores may also have a copy. Remembering the past is a way to make sure it is never repeated- if you see this movie, it will be one more vivid memory of why we should never forget.
helpful•293
- rondine
- Sep 6, 1999
Details
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- Also known as
- Das Mädchenorchester von Auschwitz
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
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