Swing Kids (film)

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This article is about the 1993 film. For the german jazz and Swing lovers of the 1930's, see Swing Kids.

For the San Diego hardcore punk band, see Swing Kids (band).

Swing Kids

Directed by	Thomas Carter
Written by	Jonathan Marc Feldman
Starring	Robert Sean Leonard Christian Bale Frank Whaley Barbara Hershey Kenneth Branagh
Release date(s)	1993
Running time	114 min.
Language	English
IMDb profile

Swing Kids is a film produced in 1993 and directed by Thomas Carter. The runtime is approximately 114 minutes and the main actors include Robert Sean Leonard as Peter Müller, Christian Bale as Thomas Berger, Frank Whaley as Arvid, Barbara Hershey as Frau Müller, Kenneth Branagh as Herr Knopp (uncredited), and Julia Stemberger as Frau Linge.

Spoiler warning: Plot and/or ending details follow.

[edit] Plot summary

In pre-World War II Germany, Swing music becomes the underground movement of young people. Two high school students attempt to be Swing Kids by night and Hitler Youth by day. The impact of this decision is felt acutely by their friends and families. A seemingly charming but intimidating Gestapo officer Herr Knopp (Kenneth Branagh in an uncredited role) complicates matters for one of the boys, whose father was taken away for defending his Jewish colleagues at the University. Soon dancing and fun leads to more difficult choices as the Nazis begin tightening the grip on Germany. Each member of the group is forced to face some tough choices about right, wrong, and survival. This is the story of one group of Swing Kids and how Nazi rule and persuasion tore them apart and set them against each other.

Spoilers end here.

[edit] Trivia

Keneth Branagh refused billing after being told he'd be billed above the younger stars, saying that the boys were the real stars of the film and it belonged to them only.