And the Band Played On

Excellent movie concerning the United States initial reaction to the AIDs epidemic in the 1980s. I was very surprised at the number of well known actors (Alan Alda, Lilly Tomlin, Peter O' Toole) who starred in this film.

This is a great movie, very moving , also very informative, there are some hidden facts in recent history that are unmasked here.

I really enjoyed watching this movie. I could not believe that the movie was so closely related to the Randy Shilts "And the Band Played on". I was able to have a very clear visual with the movie which I could then translate back to the book. Very very powerful. The movie and the book has heighten my awarness about HIV/AIDS and how much of a real issue it was back then. This is an all around movie that us parents need to make our children aware of because HIV/AIDS is realistic and right now it is not going away. This movie put the epidemic at its's worst; however, it has also provided us with the real truth of how people of different sexual orientations were treated and how people were labeled for something and stigmatized which made it harder to get care and services. I would recommend for all to see and read the book.

The movie-"And the band played one" is excellant in cataloging the first few years of AIDS epidemic breakout. Even though it is not a book, the movie gives enough details to make people understand the events and stories that were taking place. Dr.Don Francis is the hero of the movie, when I first saw the movie I was awstruck by the efforts and his zeal to save the humanity against AIDS. But after watching it again, I do want to change my opinion on him. People who are in this type of GOVT service are mere facilitators who at best can bring out all the details of disease outbreak and coax and cajole people into right directions. Another point which makes Francis's character weak is his jumping the gun and wanting to close the bath houses,what for? I personally think that this was the group which was the most vulnerable(Gay men) and here they had this group readily available in the bath houses! shouldn't they have started with them, explaining about the dangers of multiple partners and to somehow excercise restraint till more could be understood about the disease. Later at the end of the movie,he quotes an exhorbitant amount for educating the public and then leaves when his budget is not approved.He didn't think of educating the population when they were scared most. The CDC's boss in fact comes across as a level head and balanced person. So I think that people who want to be in job like Dr.Francis must learn and act not to become like him, "A MADE MARTYR".

Maybe I'm getting more compassionate as the years add up, maybe I'm just realizing the frailty of what it means to be human. I recently bought the dvd, "And The Band Played On" from Amazon.com. It deals with the early years of the AIDS crisis and the fear that went with it. Having known several people who died from this horror, it is very hard for me to remember but harder not to.

It is a wonderful film and I cry every single time I watch it and if I were chancellor of a major university, I would make this film/DVD mandatory viewing for all sociology and social science majors. If "And The Band Played On" doesn't move an individual to fight the fight against AIDS and other immune diseases, YES I'll include Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, etc...then our claim in Heaven will be nothing more then an IOU slip from St Peter.

I remember those who died during those years..I will never forget them.

sent with love and compassion,

Mark Chase