Gene's Boychoir Movies
NOTE: The sole purpose of this page is to promote good movies. If you as a studio, company, or producer-- do not want your movie or video promoted, E-Mail Me and I will be happy to remove your production! Some of these video files badly need updating-- If you use Real Player, take advantage of the X2 option to make the images larger. DOWNLOAD OPTIONS are available for most of the files below. Just click on the picture for each movie or video and then read the instructions which follow! Even though it may take a while to download the file, you will have non-interrupted, good quality play. The following videos and movies make positive statements about boys SINGING and are very entertaining to view at home.
This is an outstanding movie-- about the positive effects that one devoted teacher can have on a large group of boys. In 2004 it was the #1 movie at French box offices, with more than 8.6 million admissions. Many good reviews are available for "Les Choristes", so I will not attempt to relate the plots or tell about all of the characters.Having been an elementary school teacher myself, I admired and appreciated the concern, talent and restraint of Clément Mathieu, the character played so well by Gérard Jugnot. As do all teachers, he had to adapt and compromise with difficult students and sometimes exasperating administration. His goal was always to do what was best to help the boys learn and grow emotionally. "Action-- Reaction" can sometimes be too quick and unfair.
Even with a heart-warming ending, the film did leave me with a few questions-- one being "When did little Pépinot first become a performing member of the choir?" (He sings with the choir in the video clip-- Click on the above picture to view.) For the role of Pierre Morhange (Jean-Baptiste Maunier), the filmmakers chose to hire an actual boys choir soloist. Jean-Baptiste was a soloist of Petits Chanteurs de Saint-Marc, the choir that also sang the songs in the film.
Filmed in France at Château de Ravel, Puy-de-Dôme, "Les Choristes", would make an excellent movie for boychoir camps, were it not for some explicit language. It might not bother European audiences, but it could send American parents running for a lawyer. - Length: 96 minutes.
The setting for this Disney production is 1959 South Carolina at Blanton Boys Academy. What is special about this school? Are you sitting down? CHOIR is considered to be as important as any other school activity!Bigots will not appreciate this film, because it shows how the love for each other's music-- brings together two boys of different race-- during the dark days of racial prejudice.
The academy boys do a great job of singing the classics. To really enjoy this film, you must try your best to forget Peter Scolari's role in "Newhart" and even more important-- forget the character of the boy in "Married With Children" which I rate as quite possibly the worst TV show ever produced in this country, and most certainly the worst show ever exported to other countries as an example of U.S. culture! - Length: 93 minutes.
Finding U.S. Standard (NTSC) video of European boy choirs has been almost impossible until now-- but here is a NTSC Release of the famous TOELZER KNABENCHOR of Germany!
This delightful video was taped in Munich and has HI-FI Stereo sound. There are eight selections and each one has the boys performing in a different 'formation' with colorful religious paintings in the background.The native costumes worn by the boys are unique. You will also find their manner of singing different, in that on some selections, the boys turn and smile at each other while singing-- as if they were around a campfire. Some short solos are featured, and one piece features a duet with a second-camera shot of the featured boys being superimposed above-left of the other singers.
The selections are Christmas-- HOWEVER, since they are traditional European songs (instead of "Deck the Halls With Rudolph's Shiny Nose", and are sung in German, I believe U.S. viewers will enjoy them during any season! This video is available from the German Language Video Center . You may order on-line. Just ask for Item Number XM 88. Price is $19.95 plus $4 for Priority Mail Shipping. - Length: 25 minutes.
Disney filmed this one entirely in Austria and used a mix of young actors and boys who were actual members of the Vienna Boys Choir at the time.Tony, a young boy who loves music and singing, auditions for the choir in spite of his father's objections. Not only is he accepted, but his talents soon make choir boy leader Peter become concerned about his standing in the choir being threatened. They begin as rivals but become best of friends after Tony ignores several chances to get Peter into well-deserved trouble for his boyish pranks.
The scenery is breathtaking; the music is splendid; and most of what you see inside the Augarten Palace-- remains today just like it was during filming.
This movie is in the "Disney Vault" and copies are extremely difficult to find. - Length: 93 minutes.
"L'Or des Anges"
Director Philippe Reypens says of his production, "This film traces the history of the most celebrated choirs of the Western (Europe) tradition along with the personal development of the singers' individual careers."Choirs featured are the Worcester Cathedral Choir, Knabenchor Hannover, Wiener Sangerknaben (Vienna Choir Boys), Les Petits Chanteurs a la Croix de Bois, and two young soloists from Polskie Slowiki, a 150-voice Polish choir.
Music in the flim includes "Nunc Dimittis" (Parsons), "An die Musik" (Schubert), "Balualow" (A Ceremony of Carols by Britten), "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (Bach), "Bastien und Bastienne" (Mozart), "Le Duo des chats" (Rossini), "Brundibar" (Krasa), and "Pie Jesu" (Requiem by Faure). There are also excerpts from music by Pergolesi, Bach, Allegri, and Tchaikovski.
Clicking on the picture at right (above) should allow you to view (from the German server) a delightful clip of Knabenchor Hannover boys doing their auditions! The clip will look quite familiar to everyone who has been present when boys make that 'big step' toward the fun and rewards of singing with other boys and men. The website of King's Group is closed until October, 2003. It will be re-opened in order to give information about the release of the DVD on the trilogy of " L'Or des Anges ". The selling of " L'Or des Anges " in VHS is now closed. CLICK HERE for additional information! - Length: 2:03
