Main Cast: Alan Alda, Richard Gere, Anjelica Huston, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin
Release Year: 1993
Country: US
Run Time: 140 minutes
Plot
The late journalist Randy Shilts' best-selling book on the burgeoning AIDS crisis was adapted for cable TV by Arnold Schulman. In 1981, researchers begin discerning a mysterious new disease that apparently affects only homosexual males (or so they thought at that time). Working independently, and with marked hostility toward one another, an American and a French research team manage to identify and name the dreaded HIV virus. The long-range effects of AIDS is experienced through the first- and secondhand experiences of several unfortunates, including a choreographer (Richard Gere) whose character is said to be based on Michael Bennett. The all-star cast (most of whom eschewed their usual high salaries) includes Lily Tomlin as San Francisco health official Selma Dritz, Matthew Modine as Centers for Disease Control researcher Don Francis, Alan Alda as NIH official Robert Gallo (who emerges as the villain of the piece), Ian McKellan as gay activist Bill Kraus, and Glenne Headley, Steve Martin and Anjelica Huston in cameo roles. And the Band Played On debuted September 11, 1993, on HBO. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
Cast
Walter Addison - Blood Bank Executive; Alan Barry - Hemophiliac Patient; Patrick Bauchau - Dr. Luc Montagnier; Nathalie Baye - Dr. Francoise Barre; Reg E. Cathey - Staff Doctor #2; Christian Clemenson - Dr. Dale Lawrence; David Clennon - Mr. Johnstone; Clyde Kusatsu - Blood Bank Executive; Alex Courtney - Dr. Mika Popovic; John del Regno - Man in Grand Central; David Dukes - Dr. Mervyn Silverman; John Durbin - 6th Man; Carey Eidel - Tennis Player; Richard Fancy - Dr. Michael Gottlieb; Christopher John Fields - Lawyer; Dave Florek - Doughnut Shop Counterman; Richard Gere - Choreographer; David Marshall Grant - Dennis Seeley; Ronald Guttman - Dr. Jean-Claude Chermann; Glenne Headly - Dr. Mary Guinan; Anjelica Huston - Dr. Betsy Reisz; Richard Jenkins - Dr. Marc Conant; Tchéky Karyo - Dr. Willy Rozenbaum; Michael Kearns - Cleve; Thomas Kopache - Blood Bank Executive; Swoosie Kurtz - Mrs. Johnstone; Rob La Belle - Gay Rights Activist; Jack Laufer - Brian McDonough; Neal Lerner - 1st Man; Donal Logue - Bobbi Campbell; Richard Masur - William W. Darrow, Ph.D; Dakin Matthews - Congressman Phil Burton; Ian McKellen - Bill Kraus; Peter McRobbie - Dr. Max Essex; Matthew Modine - Dr. Don Francis; Lawrence Monoson - Chip; Jeffrey Nordling - Gaetan Dugas; Angela Paton - Woman in Denver; Sierra Pecheur - Female Reporter; Saul Rubinek - Dr. Curran; Tom Schanley - Waiter; Stephen Spinella - Brandy Alexander; B.D. Wong - Kico Govantes; Alan Alda - Dr. Robert Gallo; Phil Collins - Eddie Papasano; Bud Cort - Antique Shop Owner; Ken Jenkins - Dr. Dennis Donohue; Steve Martin - Brother; Charles Martin Smith - Dr. Harold Jaffe; Lily Tomlin - Dr. Selma Dritz; Martin Raymond - 4th Man; Mogens Eckert - Chief Executive (Copenhagen); Patrick Gorman - Charles Dauget; Rosemarie Murphy - Blood Bank Executive; Miguel Perez - Reporter; Valeri Ross - Jim's Secretary; Rene LeVant - Blood Bank Executive; William Wintersole - Dr. Paul Florino; Jill Andre - Red Cross Spokesperson; Christopher Carroll - Dr. Aaron Kellner; Laura Innes - Hemophiliac Representative; Jack Kenny - San Francisco Activist; Michael Winters - Middle-aged Man; James Greene - Dr. Alvin Freedman-Kien
Credit
Lee Mayman - Art Director, Albert M. Shapiro - Associate Producer, Arnold Schulman - Co-producer, Edward Teets - Co-producer, Patti Callicott - Costume Designer, Albert M. Shapiro - First Assistant Director, Roger Spottiswoode - Director, Lois Freeman-Fox - Editor, Aaron Spelling - Executive Producer, Carter Burwell - Composer (Music Score), Allan A. Apone - Makeup, Michael Spatola - Makeup, Chris Squires - Camera Operator, Victoria Paul - Production Designer, Paul Elliott - Cinematographer, Sarah Pillsbury - Producer, Midge Sanford - Producer, Arnold Schulman - Screenwriter, Randy Shilts - Book Author
