And the Band Played On
And the Band Played On is a 1993 American television filmdocurama directed by Roger Spottiswoode and written by Arnold Schulman. It is based on the 1987 non-fiction book by Randy Shilts. The film boasts an extremely wide historical scope and an exceptionally sprawling cast. The film is a must-watch for fans of American history and music. While the film isn't a classic, its vast historical scope and sprawling cast make it one of the most compelling movies of the 1990s.
Randy Shilts
A 1987 book by a San Francisco Chronicle journalist, And the Band Played On chronicles the rise and fall of the legendary rock band. While the book focuses on the band's early days, the era's turbulent times also provided a backdrop for the story. Shilts's observations and analysis are a must-read for anyone interested in the history of rock music. His personal experiences with the band provide an entertaining, insightful read.
Before writing And the Band Played On
Before writing And the Band Played On, Shilts was a freelance journalist in the San Francisco Bay Area who focused on the queer community and the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. Shilts's first book, The Mayor of Castro Street: Harvey Milk and the Rise of the AIDS Epidemic (1982), examined the politics and social ramifications of the AIDS epidemic.
Ultimately, Shilts' book
Ultimately, Shilts' book has become a commercial success, spending five weeks on the New York Times bestseller list and nominated for a National Book Award. His book also made him a "celebrity" in the AIDS community, and Rolling Stone has compared him to the great American writers such as Thomas Paine during the American Revolution and David Halberstam during the Vietnam War.
Bill Kraus
The activist's story is widely known and has been immortalized in many popular works. He appears in the 1984 documentary "The Times of Harvey Milk" and is the main character of Randy Shilts' book And the Band Played On. In 1993, the book was adapted into a feature film, starring Ian McKellen as Kraus. In this article, we provide a brief biographical sketch of Kraus.
The Film
The film is based on the book by Randy Shilts. It is a dramatization of the first five years of AIDS in America. The movie's first-rate cast includes Matthew Modine, Richard Masur, and Don Francis. It also stars Alan Alda, who plays the real-life viral researcher Robert Gallo. Other stars include B.D. Wong, Glenne Headly, and Ian McKellen as Bill Kraus. It also stars Tcheky Karyo and Lily Tomlin.
While attending a candlelight parade
While attending a candlelight parade in San Francisco in November 1985, Kraus suddenly begins to cough and is unable to stand up. He looks like he has dementia and speaks gibberish. Don Francis arrives to help him and Kraus encourages him to continue his research and fight for the truth. A photo montage of AIDS activists and the song's title track is played to underscore the film's message.
