Taking Sides

After Hitler took over power in 1933, many Jewish artists were forced to leave Germany. Wilhelm Furtwangler (Stellan Skarsgard) chose to stay, serving as one of the Nazi's foremost cultural assets. Though never a member of the Party, Furtwangler was the recipient of government honors and appointments associated with party members. However, the conductor often used his position and contacts to save hundreds of Jewish musicians from the concentration camps.

When Major Steve Arnold (Harvey Keitel) is given the task of carrying out pre-trial investigations against Furtwangler, his aim is to prove that the conductor's artistic genius contributed to the Nazi propaganda machine and their destructive ideology. Conversely, Furtzwangler insists he chose to stay to bring comfort to the German people with his music.

Movie Details

Cast: Harvey Keitel, Stellan Skarsgard, Moritz Bleibtreu, Birgit Minichmayr, Oleg Tabakov, Ulrich Tukur, Hanns Zischler, August Zirner,
Running time: 105

International rating:

Europe: 15
Australia: M

VHS International release dates:
North America: Apr 27, 04