Synopsis
Actor and writer Stephen Fry explores his passion for the world's most controversial composer, but can he salvage Richard Wagner's music from its dark associations with anti-Semitism and Hitler? Fry's quest begins in southern Germany where he is granted unique access to Bayreuth’s legendary annual Wagner festival. In Switzerland he discovers the origins of Wagner’s masterpiece "The Ring." In Bavaria he marvels at the fairytale castle inspired by Wagner’s music, and in St Petersburg learns why Wagner fascinated Russian audiences. But Fry also confronts the composer's dark side. In Nuremberg he investigates how Hitler appropriated Wagner’s music, and in London meets a cellist who played in the prisoners' orchestra at Auschwitz - where some of Fry's relatives died. What will she think of his passion for Hitler’s favorite artist?s.
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Movie Details
Germany Releases: | June 21st, 2012 (Wide) |
Video Release: | April 30th, 2013 by First Run Home |
MPAA Rating: | Not Rated |
Running Time: | 89 minutes |
Keywords: | Jewish, Classical Music, Nazis, Bigotry, Holocaust, Revolution, Political, Biography, Composer, Intertitle |
Source: | Based on Real Life Events |
Genre: | Documentary |
Production Method: | Live Action |
Creative Type: | Factual |
Production/Financing Companies: | Wavelength Films, BBC Films |
Production Countries: | United States |
Languages: | English |