Playing for Time
Playing for Time

Playing for Time

1980Movie150 minEnglish

When a Jewish songstress is plucked from the stage and sent to Auschwitz, she and other musicians find themselves assigned to a terrible task—using their talents to soothe fellow prisoners who are sentenced to die in the gas chambers.

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Insights

IMDb7.7/10
Director: Joseph SargentGenres: Drama, War, Music

Plot Summary

The film centers on Fania Fenelon, a musician who is a member of the women's orchestra at Auschwitz, a Nazi concentration camp during World War II. She is forced to play music for the SS guards and fellow prisoners, often at the expense of her own life and the lives of others. The narrative explores the complex moral dilemmas faced by the musicians, their struggle for survival, and the power of music in the face of unimaginable horror.

Critical Reception

Playing for Time was highly acclaimed by critics for its powerful performances, particularly Vanessa Redgrave's, and its unflinching portrayal of the Holocaust. The film was praised for its sensitive handling of a difficult subject matter, balancing the brutality of the concentration camp with moments of humanity and resilience.

What Reviewers Say

  • Vanessa Redgrave delivers a commanding and emotionally resonant performance.
  • The film bravely confronts the horrors of the Holocaust through the lens of music and survival.
  • A thought-provoking and deeply moving drama that highlights the resilience of the human spirit.

Google audience: Audience reviews often praise the film's historical significance and the powerful acting, with particular acclaim for Vanessa Redgrave's portrayal. Many viewers found the story to be emotionally impactful and a significant reminder of the atrocities of the Holocaust.

Awards & Accolades

Vanessa Redgrave won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Special. The film also received multiple Emmy nominations, including Outstanding Drama or Comedy Special.

Fun Fact

The film is based on the memoir of Fania Fenelon, a French-Jewish singer and pianist who survived Auschwitz and other concentration camps.

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