Synopsis
The story of a close-knit group of young kids in Nazi Germany who listen to banned swing music from the US. Soon dancing and fun leads to more difficult choices as the Nazi's begin tightening the grip on Germany. Each member of the group is forced to face some tough choices about right, wrong, and survival.
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Cast
- Robert Sean LeonardPeter Müller
- Christian BaleThomas Berger
- Frank WhaleyArvid
- Barbara HersheyFrau Müller
- Tushka BergenEvey
- David TomWilli Müller
- Mary FogartyMama Klara Müller
- Kenneth BranaghHerr Knopp, Gestapo
- Noah WyleEmil Lutz
- Martin ClunesBannführer
Recommendations
- 70
Chicago Reader
A corny but sincere weeper written by Jonathan Marc Feldman, directed by Thomas Carter, and shot mainly in Prague. - 67
Entertainment Weekly
The movie is a somber, smoothly crafted drama about a wily adolescent who senses there's something rotten going on in his country but can't quite put a finger on it. - 63
TV Guide Magazine
Despite energetic dance sequences and appealing leads, the film falls prey to pat psychologizing and some stunningly puerile notions of history. - 60
Empire
For its historical detail and recognition that teenagers were around long before James Dean sparked up a Marlboro, this film deserves some credit. - 50
Austin Chronicle
The script is all too often downright clunky though it's saved by vigorous direction (especially in the dance sequences) and performances. - 50
Christian Science Monitor
This well-meaning drama was made with obvious passion. - 50
ReelViews
Swing Kids has a multitude of problems, the most glaring of which is its loose treatment of history and the Nazis. - 50
The New York Times
Swing Kids looks good and moves quickly at first; later on, mired in familiar-feeling moments, it flounders
