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Swing Kids [VHS]
 
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Swing Kids [VHS] (1993)

Starring: Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale Director: Thomas Carter (II) Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested) Format: VHS Tape
4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (159 customer reviews)


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Product Details

  • Actors: Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley, Barbara Hershey, Tushka Bergen
  • Directors: Thomas Carter (II)
  • Format: Closed-captioned, Color, NTSC
  • Language: English
  • Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
  • Number of tapes: 1
  • Studio: Walt Disney Video
  • VHS Release Date: July 8, 1997
  • Run Time: 114 minutes
  • Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (159 customer reviews)
  • ASIN: 6302805392
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #12,188 in Video (See Bestsellers in Video)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
This strange movie with a niche subject--jazz-loving, dance-loving German kids persecuted by Hitler's men--almost works, thanks to a good cast who seem devoted to the unusual story line. Director Thomas Carter doesn't bring the necessary stylistic oomph to the musical sequences, something that might have pushed the whole production to another, more interesting level of Hollywood dream. Kenneth Branagh makes a particularly effective, wolf-in-sheep's-clothing Nazi official. --Tom Keogh

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Customer Reviews

159 Reviews
5 star:
 (104)
4 star:
 (35)
3 star:
 (12)
2 star:
 (5)
1 star:
 (3)
 
 
 
 
 
Average Customer Review
4.5 out of 5 stars (159 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

 
26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting historical subject, October 12, 2003
By Adi Adler (Atlanta, GA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   
This review is from: Swing Kids (DVD)
This movie gives a new angle on Pre - WW2 German society. The title's 'Swing Kids' are German youngsters who were interested in British and American slag & fashions. Since Germany's official policy towards America & Britain wasn't very sympathetic at the time (to say the least), Swing hangouts were routinely searched for by HJ's ("Hitler Junged" - Hilter's Youths), Swing Kids were targeted by them, and Swing music was hard to find.

The movie's three main characters are caught in the struggle between Swing music and the pressureto join the HJ's. Arvid, who is partially paralized, and is therefore 'unacceptable' by the Nazis, is a rabid Swing fan (which a large part of is a rebellion against the people who won't accept him). Peter is struggling with his father's 'disappearance' (he was taken by the Nazis a few years before the events of the movie). Thomas is just looking for acceptance, which he doesn't seem to get from his family or friends, so he willingly turns into a HJ - just to satisfy his need. The friends split up, turn against each other, and each goes towards his tragic end.

The story in itself is predictable, but since the performances of the actors are quite good, and the period and subject matter of the films are not your obvious WW2 movies, it is a very enjoyable one (even just for knowldge's sake).

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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME MOVIE FOR TEACHING WWII, March 1, 2005
This review is from: Swing Kids (DVD)
I teach 11th grade and when we reach WWII I have been looking for a movie which is good enough for the kids to see that doesn't just show blood and guts. Many of the kids can't fathom why an entire nation would just follow a man bent on the destruction of another race. This movie gives them a new viewpoint, a kid's viewpoint, that they can relate to. They can understand that not everyone wanted to go along, not everyone agreed but few were capable of standing up and sticking to their beliefs. The brainwashing techniques, the pressure from peers, family and fear made it easier for Hitler to gain and maintain control of Germany. I begin WWII with a brief explanation of the conditions existing in Europe when Hitler rose to power and then show this movie. My students always enjoy the movie and come away from viewing it with a better understanding of how Hitler got into power. I highly recommend this film for teaching and/or just enjoying.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Swing Heil With Style, January 11, 2000
By J. H. Minde "Can you keep up?" (Boca Raton, Florida and Brooklyn, New York) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   
SWING KIDS is an artful sleeper. The story of young friends addicted to forbidden big band music in 1939 Nazi Germany is told with humor, pathos, and sensitivity. At first all addicted to visiting Swing clubs, jitterbugging with pretty girls, and gathering for secret meetings of their fan club, the characters slowly and irrevocably drift apart as the unbearable pressures of conformity in Nazi Germany rob them of their innocence and youth.

This movie is relatively unknown, but excellent nonetheless. Keep an eye out for a young Noah Wyle ("Dr. Carter" on ER) as a Hitler Youth group leader. The music is splendid.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Swing Kids
This is one of the most moving and wonderful films I've seen. The acting is amazing, the story is breathtaking, and I would recommend it to anyone.
Published 5 days ago by Shane Brown

5.0 out of 5 stars An essential piece of political, social and musc history!
This was an excellent way to see history become real. This film is as important as Orwell's "1984," but looking back, instead of forward.
Published 20 days ago by Joseph T. Van Ness

5.0 out of 5 stars Got Dancin'
Excellent little movie.
Ups were the music and dancing.
Downs were the politics of the day and the tragedies that afflicted the Swing Kids.
Published 1 month ago by Earlie Work

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST SEE
I watch it over and over and never tire of it. It's an awesome story, the cast is perfect, and there is always something new to observe. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alisa Mckenzie

2.0 out of 5 stars Each to His Own
Some have expressed love for this movie. Great. It's wonderful to experience the high of a great movie. For me, this was a huge disappointment. Read more
Published 7 months ago by David Schweizer

5.0 out of 5 stars As good as I remember it, and slightly better now that I'm older and understand some of the references.
Swing Kids has always been a favorite movie of mine, since I first saw it in college. Seeing it again after having been in the music business for 8 years, many of the musical... Read more
Published 13 months ago by Miss Rizzy

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Movie
I bought this movie because I like swing dancing. It was a really good movie I really enjoyed it.
Published 13 months ago by R. Scott

5.0 out of 5 stars I'm not gonna lie... I LOVE this movie.
Yeah, the premise sounds weird. Nazi Germany + teens into swing music/culture = WTF? But, it's a tragic story of friends torn apart by an oppressive government. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Lauren

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorites!
Excellent film with some history, some fun dancing and some serious tear jerking...The music and dancing is amazing in this film but the story is really powerful too!
Published 16 months ago by Suzanna Eller

4.0 out of 5 stars A Swinging Good Time
This movie is amazing. Robert Sean Leonard and Christian Bale give amazing performances. The storyline is really powerful with messages that go beyond the WWII era. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Kara Chapman

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