How Do I
Movies about Musicians
This list includes movies old and new and musicians famous and unknown.
Amadeus (1984)
Adapted from Peter Shaffer's play, Amadeus presents the life of Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a mediocre 18th century Viennese composer obsessed with and jealous of the musical genius of the age, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Adapted from Peter Shaffer's play, Amadeus presents the life of Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), a mediocre 18th century Viennese composer obsessed with and jealous of the musical genius of the age, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
La Bamba (1987)
The life of rock and roll legend Richie Valens bursts across the screen in this celebrated, music-filled movie with star-making performances. Depicts the 17-year-old Mexican-American's rocket rise to fame from field laborer to rock star. Available as a downloadable video.
The life of rock and roll legend Richie Valens bursts across the screen in this celebrated, music-filled movie with star-making performances. Depicts the 17-year-old Mexican-American's rocket rise to fame from field laborer to rock star. Available as a downloadable video.
The Glenn Miller Story (1953)
This tribute to the Big Band leader Glenn Miller charts his rise from obscurity and poverty to fame and wealth in the early 1940's. Stars James Stewart and June Allyson with appearances by Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa.
This tribute to the Big Band leader Glenn Miller charts his rise from obscurity and poverty to fame and wealth in the early 1940's. Stars James Stewart and June Allyson with appearances by Louis Armstrong and Gene Krupa.
Intermezzo (1936)
Captivated by a beautiful and talented young pianist (Ingrid Bergman), his daughter's piano teacher, a renowned violinist leaves his family and pursues his true passion in this famous love story that introduced Ingrid Bergman to American audiences for the first time.
Captivated by a beautiful and talented young pianist (Ingrid Bergman), his daughter's piano teacher, a renowned violinist leaves his family and pursues his true passion in this famous love story that introduced Ingrid Bergman to American audiences for the first time.
The Pianist (2002)
Based on the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew, who was a brilliant pianist. He watched as his family was shipped off to Nazi labor camps. He managed to escape and lived for years in the ruins of Warsaw, hiding from the Nazis. Based on the book Smierc Miasta by Wladyslaw Szpilman.
Based on the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman, a Polish Jew, who was a brilliant pianist. He watched as his family was shipped off to Nazi labor camps. He managed to escape and lived for years in the ruins of Warsaw, hiding from the Nazis. Based on the book Smierc Miasta by Wladyslaw Szpilman.
Mambo Kings
Musician brothers, Cesar and Nestor, leave Cuba for America in the 1950s, with the hopes of making it to the top of the Latin music scene. Cesar is the older brother who serves as the business manager and is a consumate ladies' man. Nestor is the brooding songwriter, who cannot forget the woman in Cuba who broke his heart. Based on the novel The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos.
Musician brothers, Cesar and Nestor, leave Cuba for America in the 1950s, with the hopes of making it to the top of the Latin music scene. Cesar is the older brother who serves as the business manager and is a consumate ladies' man. Nestor is the brooding songwriter, who cannot forget the woman in Cuba who broke his heart. Based on the novel The Mambo Kings Play Songs of Love by Oscar Hijuelos.
The Piano (1992)
A young mute woman and her child travel to New Zealand in the 1800s for an arranged marriage to a farmer. After the marriage she meets another man, and the competition for her love begins. Just one of the men realizes that her affections can only be won through her beloved piano.
A young mute woman and her child travel to New Zealand in the 1800s for an arranged marriage to a farmer. After the marriage she meets another man, and the competition for her love begins. Just one of the men realizes that her affections can only be won through her beloved piano.
Ray (2004)
Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven. Inspired by his mother who insisted he make his own way, he found his calling at the keyboard. 'Ray' follows as he overcomes drug addiction while becoming one of the country's most beloved performers.
Ray Charles went blind at the age of seven. Inspired by his mother who insisted he make his own way, he found his calling at the keyboard. 'Ray' follows as he overcomes drug addiction while becoming one of the country's most beloved performers.
The Red Violin (1998)
Upon unearthing a one-of-a-kind, blood red violin, appraiser Charles Morritz uncovers the spectacular journey of the long-lost masterpiece -- how it changed hands and the lives of all who touched it. The music is by John Corigliano and the violin is played by Joshua Bell.
Upon unearthing a one-of-a-kind, blood red violin, appraiser Charles Morritz uncovers the spectacular journey of the long-lost masterpiece -- how it changed hands and the lives of all who touched it. The music is by John Corigliano and the violin is played by Joshua Bell.
Shine (1996)
Presents the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott. He experiences a nervous breakdown and is hospitalized, but later returns to the concert hall. Geoffrey Rush won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1996 for his portrayal of David Helfgott.
Presents the true story of Australian pianist David Helfgott. He experiences a nervous breakdown and is hospitalized, but later returns to the concert hall. Geoffrey Rush won the Academy Award for Best Actor in 1996 for his portrayal of David Helfgott.
La Vie en Rose (2007)
La Môme (The Kid)
Edith Piaf (Marion Cotillard) was raised in a brothel, wrested from the only life she knew by her father so they could join the circus, Edith spent her teen years on the streets. She is finally "rescued" by a crime figure who gives her career a start, and, ultimately, her international success and final illness. She was always frail, sickly, malnourished, and wildly temperamental. She was often on drugs or alcohol, and she was always in search of true love. Middleweight boxer, Marcel Cerdan, captures her heart and gives her something to live for, besides her music--at least for a while. Marion Cotillard won an Oscar for her performance.
La Môme (The Kid)
Edith Piaf (Marion Cotillard) was raised in a brothel, wrested from the only life she knew by her father so they could join the circus, Edith spent her teen years on the streets. She is finally "rescued" by a crime figure who gives her career a start, and, ultimately, her international success and final illness. She was always frail, sickly, malnourished, and wildly temperamental. She was often on drugs or alcohol, and she was always in search of true love. Middleweight boxer, Marcel Cerdan, captures her heart and gives her something to live for, besides her music--at least for a while. Marion Cotillard won an Oscar for her performance.
Walk the Line (2005)
Traces Johnny Cash's childhood, including his distant father to his early attempts at a music career. At this point in his life he marries his girlfriend Vivian. During a tour with singer/musicians Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, he encounters singer June Carter, and his love for her, and her rejection of him through the years, spurs him into drugs, drinking, and depression. June is both a sassy spitfire singer whose charm breaks hearts and eventually becomes a sympathetic friend who tries to help Johnny get over her. A true love story of two country music stars.
Traces Johnny Cash's childhood, including his distant father to his early attempts at a music career. At this point in his life he marries his girlfriend Vivian. During a tour with singer/musicians Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis, he encounters singer June Carter, and his love for her, and her rejection of him through the years, spurs him into drugs, drinking, and depression. June is both a sassy spitfire singer whose charm breaks hearts and eventually becomes a sympathetic friend who tries to help Johnny get over her. A true love story of two country music stars.
Young Man with a Horn (1949)
A lonely little boy peeks into the window of a Skid Row dive. Mesmerized by the soaring magic played by a small jazz combo, he longs to create the same sounds. So with the guidance of a brilliant bluesman, the boy develops into a superb artist. Starring Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Doris Day, and Hoagy Carmichael.
A lonely little boy peeks into the window of a Skid Row dive. Mesmerized by the soaring magic played by a small jazz combo, he longs to create the same sounds. So with the guidance of a brilliant bluesman, the boy develops into a superb artist. Starring Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall, Doris Day, and Hoagy Carmichael.
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