And the Band Played On

:

Season 1
  • Network: HBO
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 11, 1993
Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 15
  3. Negative: 2 out of 15

Critic Reviews

  1. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Matthew Gilbert
    Jun 17, 2015
    30
    A stiff, one-dimensional portrait of America's early plague years. Flattened by docudramatic techniques and good-versus-evil oversimplifications, the film is politically correct, easy to follow and emotionally empty. Rather than risking gritty personal drama and fully drawn characters, the filmmakers have fashioned a public-health mystery that surveys all the moral and political issues, but never hits harder than a Newsweek cover story. [10 Sept 1993, p.45]
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  2. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: Tom Shales
    Jun 17, 2015
    30
    Noble endeavor, bad movie...Has the unfortunate aura of something patched together by a committee, and when all is said and done, it seems less like a movie than a position paper on film.

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 4 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Compi24
    Oct 31, 2018
    8
    This may be a TV movie, sure. But don't let the format fool you -- as far as exhaustive, blow-by-blow docudramas are concerned, this isThis may be a TV movie, sure. But don't let the format fool you -- as far as exhaustive, blow-by-blow docudramas are concerned, this is amongst the better margin. And as far as docudramas concerning the origin, discovery, and discussion surrounding AIDS are concerned, there really isn't any other that comes to mind that's as emotionally resonant as it is journalistically adept. It's simply a must-watch for anyone with questions or skepticism regarding any element of the AIDS epidemic, and a compelling film altogether.… Full Review »
  2. alwaysme
    May 15, 2017
    8
    A great docudrama, especially because of the year it was made, soon after the period in which the AIDS epidemic stroke. The accurate portraitA great docudrama, especially because of the year it was made, soon after the period in which the AIDS epidemic stroke. The accurate portrait of the scientific diatribe between French and Gallo are shameful to watch. The political and social contests are well represented and arise questions and observations I haven't thought about before, and I'm a med student. So much of all of this isn't known to the general audience but it should be, because the shame that accompanied the HIV crisis is still affecting us today in our daily life.… Full Review »
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