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Taking Sides

  • 20012001
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • IMDbPro
Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)
  • Drama
  • Music
  • War
After the end of World War II, a famous German conductor is accused of loyalty to the Nazi regime. He argues that art and politics are separate. An investigator thinks otherwise.After the end of World War II, a famous German conductor is accused of loyalty to the Nazi regime. He argues that art and politics are separate. An investigator thinks otherwise.After the end of World War II, a famous German conductor is accused of loyalty to the Nazi regime. He argues that art and politics are separate. An investigator thinks otherwise.
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • István Szabó
  • Writer
    • Ronald Harwood(play)
  • Stars
    • Harvey Keitel
    • Stellan Skarsgård
    • Moritz Bleibtreu
Top credits
  • Director
    • István Szabó
  • Writer
    • Ronald Harwood(play)
  • Stars
    • Harvey Keitel
    • Stellan Skarsgård
    • Moritz Bleibtreu
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 40User reviews
    • 38Critic reviews
    • 61Metascore
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 3 nominations

    Photos12

    Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)
    Harvey Keitel, Stellan Skarsgård, and Moritz Bleibtreu in Taking Sides (2001)
    Harvey Keitel and Ulrich Tukur in Taking Sides (2001)
    Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)
    Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)
    Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)
    Taking Sides (2001)
    Harvey Keitel in Taking Sides (2001)
    Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)
    Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)
    Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård in Taking Sides (2001)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Harvey Keitel
    Harvey Keitel
    • Major Steve Arnoldas Major Steve Arnold
    Stellan Skarsgård
    Stellan Skarsgård
    • Dr. Wilhelm Furtwängleras Dr. Wilhelm Furtwängler
    Moritz Bleibtreu
    Moritz Bleibtreu
    • Lt. David Willsas Lt. David Wills
    Birgit Minichmayr
    Birgit Minichmayr
    • Emmi Straubeas Emmi Straube
    Ulrich Tukur
    Ulrich Tukur
    • Helmut Alfred Rode, 2nd violinistas Helmut Alfred Rode, 2nd violinist
    Oleg Tabakov
    Oleg Tabakov
    • Colonel Dymshitzas Colonel Dymshitz
    Hanns Zischler
    Hanns Zischler
    • Rudolf Otto Werner, oboistas Rudolf Otto Werner, oboist
    Armin Rohde
    Armin Rohde
    • Schlee, timpanistas Schlee, timpanist
    R. Lee Ermey
    R. Lee Ermey
    • General Wallaceas General Wallace
    August Zirner
    August Zirner
    • Captain Ed Martinas Captain Ed Martin
    Daniel White
    • Sergeant Adamsas Sergeant Adams
    Thomas Thieme
    • Reichsministeras Reichsminister
    Jed Curtis
    Jed Curtis
    • Colonel Greenas Colonel Green
    Garrick Hagon
    Garrick Hagon
    • Major Richardsas Major Richards
    Robin Renucci
    Robin Renucci
    • Captain Vernayas Captain Vernay
    Markus Heinicke
    • Attendantas Attendant
    Aleksandar Tesla
    • Projectionistas Projectionist
    Jarreth J. Merz
    Jarreth J. Merz
    • US Soldieras US Soldier
    • Director
      • István Szabó
    • Writer
      • Ronald Harwood(play) (screenplay)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    A tale based on the life of Wilhelm Furtwangler, the controversial conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic whose tenure coincided with the controversial Nazi era. One of the most spectacular and renowned conductors of the 1930s, Furtwangler's reputation rivalled that of Toscanini's. After the war, he was investigated as part of the Allies' de-Nazification program. In the bombed-out Berlin of the immediate post-war period, the Allies slowly bring law and order, and justice, to bear in an occupied Germany. An American Major is given the Furtwangler file, and is told to find everything he can and to prosecute the man ruthlessly. Tough and hard-nosed, Major Steve Arnold sets out to investigate a world of which he knows nothing. Orchestra members vouch for Furtwangler's morality. He did what he could to protect Jewish players from his orchestra. To the Germans, deeply respectful of their musical heritage, Furtwangler was a demigod; to Major Arnold, he is just a lying, weak-willed Nazi. —Sujit R. Varma
    • bombed out building
    • courage
    • army
    • jitterbug
    • acquittal
    • 168 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Music
      • War
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide
      • Add content advisory

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      When Major Arnold is listening to the recording of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, the record finishes the first movement and carries straight on to the second. Long playing albums, which ran at 33 1/3 rpm, were introduced in 1948, but the record shown is a 78 rpm one. The performance of the 5th Symphony would have been on a set of five 78 rpm records, one movement each, split over the two sides. It should not be possible for the second movement to start without the record being changed.
    • Connections
      Edited into Taking Sides Again (2004)
    • Soundtracks
      1ST & 4TH MOVEMENTS
      (from SYMPHONY NO.5 C MINOR, OP.67)

      Music by Ludwig van Beethoven

    User reviews40

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    What side to take?
    I originally saw the stage play "Taking Sides" by Ronald Harwood on Broadway several years ago. This production starred Ed Harris as the interrogating officer Steve Arnold. The role of Dr. Wilhelm Furtwangler was played by a British actor who was magnificent and unfortunately I am unable to remember his name. The play was not a great success on Broadway for reasons I cannot explain.The entire drama was cast in the office of Captain Arnold.

    I personally thought the play was great and the film even better. The reason being that the film was able to portray scenes of Post-war Nuremburg and some vivid concentration camp scenes. (not for the weak of heart) to make its point. Nevertheless as in the stage production, the most vivid scenes still took place in the office of Captain Arnold between him and Dr. Furtwangler. The film roles being played by Harvey Keitel and Stellan Skarsgård. Was the relationship cruel to a point of excess by Capt. Arnold? How true were Dr. Furtwangler's version of life during the Nazi regime. ---??? I wish I could give an answer even to myself--Therefore, no spoiler is possible.

    The film raises disturbing questions about the relationship of arts and politics.

    As a conclusion, since this was a film with two intensely powerful actors, I would hope to see one or both up for a well deserved Oscar award.
    helpful•13
    1
    • Ell-4
    • Sep 10, 2003

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 7, 2002 (Germany)
    • Countries of origin
      • France
      • United Kingdom
      • Germany
      • Austria
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
      • French
      • German
    • Also known as
      • Taraf tutmak
    • Filming locations
      • Germany
    • Production companies
      • Paladin Production S.A.
      • Maecenas Film- und Fernseh GmbH
      • Studio Babelsberg
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $20,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $188,952
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $22,051
      • Sep 7, 2003
    • Gross worldwide
      • $422,832
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 48 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
      • DTS
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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