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39 of 41 found the following review helpful:
 Interesting historical subjectOct 12, 2003
By Adi Adler
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).
32 of 33 found the following review helpful:
 AWESOME MOVIE FOR TEACHING WWIIMar 01, 2005
By Mckenna Faith, teacher
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.
20 of 20 found the following review helpful:
Excellent film of swing and moral struggleDec 24, 2003
By Nate Jacobson
"grublet"
Anyone who has stepped on to the dance floor with a live swing band playing knows just how well Swing Kids captures the electricity of a night of swing. Anyone who has strapped on their best duds an hour earlier knows the romance and anticipation captured perfectly as Peter Muller (Robert Sean Leonard) dresses for his last night of swing. This movie was in no small measure part of the impetus for the swing revival in the mid 90's, and I personally get "in the mood" for a night of cuttin' rug with Janis Siegel's incredible rendition of "Bei Mir Bist Du Schon" from the film.
But what makes this film truly superlative is its honest dealings with ordinary Germans' motivations for complacency towards or participation in Nazism. In Nazi Germany it was in everybody's best interest (save the Jews) to play along. From Peter's mother who just wants her children to live happily and avoid the terrible fate of their father to Thomas Berger (Christian Bale) who finds acceptance and encouragement for the first time, they do so for the reasons that would tempt each of us sorely. The horrible truth of the Holocaust is that, like the Germans, very few of us possess the selflessness and moral courage it would have required to oppose the evil tide of Nazism. Swing Kids is almost alone in its portrayal of this chilling truth among Holocaust and World War II films. Robert Sean Leonard's portrayal of this moral struggle for understanding and courage is very moving. (Of course, there's noone better at playing angst-ridden. c.f. Dead Poet's Society.)
As he dances his last dance, with the weight of the world on his shoulders, the world spinning around him, he finds a rare kind of release that is perhaps found only on the dance floor. And yes, his brother's cries, "Swing Heil! Swing Heil!", in the final scene give me a lump in the throat every time. For all these reasons and more, Swing Kids is an excellent film. Shame that there are no extras on the DVD.
14 of 15 found the following review helpful:
Swing Heil With StyleJan 12, 2000
By J. H. Minde
"Everything I need is right here"
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.
10 of 10 found the following review helpful:
Must-have for anyone seriously interested in movies.Apr 21, 2002
By viagrafalls
"Peter Schmitz"
I came across Swing Kids purely by accident when I was zapping away one night. The movie intrigued me; Rebel kids in a WW2 setting of Nazi Germany, dancing at government-banned parties, and listening to banned (swing) records. One of them gets forced to join the Hitler-jugend, and since then gets despised by most of his friends, except for his best friend, who actually joins as well, as to offer his support. They end up on opposite sides; one gets indoctrinated by the Nazis, while the other still strongly opposes the whole concept. I am NOT going to spoil the plot any further, but ever since I saw this very movie (about two years ago or so) I have been trying to add it to my collection. This movie would be one of my top-3 in my (already huge (approaching 200 now)) collection, following up Lord of the Rings and Pulp fiction. The cast is awesome, their action is extraordinary, the music is excellent (anyone know any dancing schools in Holland that teach Swing-Dancing?), and the story is just great.
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