Given that the film is set in period immediately proceeding WWII Nazi Germany, I think it probably shows how things were. People always wonder how a developed nation like Germany could fall into Nazi-ism. This film clearly shows how that could happen anywhere. All of the characters are well played. The dancing and music are almost worth watching the captivating film by themselves. Robert Sean Leonard (who I knew primarily from 'House'), Noah Wyle, and Christian Bale give strong performances. I would recommend this to any who want to understand history and what can happen if the people ignore the political direction of their leaders. The problem will not just go away!

"What are you rebelling against Johnny?......"Whatta ya got?…...The Wild One (1953)Youth, as implied above will most Likely Rebel against Anything because it's in Their Nature. But in the 1930's and 1940's Germany's Youth Really had Something to Oppose. Of course that was Hitler and Everything Repressive that National Socialism and the Nazi Party Stood for. They took Their Love for American Jazz and Swing and Adopted its Music, Clothes, Speech, and General Liberal Lifestyle and Flaunted in the Faces of the Tyrannical Establishment. This Infuriated the Police State. There was much Energy Employed to Eradicate this "Decadent" Behavior.This Underrated Sleeper is a Beautifully Shot Film about these Ugly Events and is a Fairly Accurate Account of the Kids and Their "Movement". It Showcases a rather Unknown Subculture in German History that was on the Fringe and in its Own Way did its Part to Oppose the Ever Increasing Evil that Exploded into a World War. This Movie Captures that Spirit and is an Excellent and Welcomed Look Back at an Underground Scene that is not well known. In doing so it Entertains with a Rhythm of Dance and Song that Compliments and Caresses the Cause.As Usual, the Kids were Right. Just like the Counter-Culture of the Vietnam Era and to a Lesser Extent the Early Rock n' Rollers of the 1950's. In the 1960's the Evil was The Nam, in the 1950's like the Biker in The Wild One, and of course James Dean, it was just The Establishment. There's going to be Youth Rebellion even Without a Cause, but in the 30's and 40's there Never was a Better One. Swing Heil...Rip it Up...For What it's Worth...God Save the Queen...To this Day the Beat Goes On.

Taking the biblical reference, in this story we have a Peter "The Rock" and a "Doubting" Thomas. It is 1930s Germany and the teenagers have latched onto banned music, "swing" music, much of it by Jewish-American musicians like Benny Goodman. But Germany also wants its young men to become members of Hitler's Jugen (HJ) as a way of preparing them to become Nazis when they grow up.The nominal lead character is Robert Sean Leonard as Peter Müller. But the best performance here is by Christian Bale as his close friend Thomas Berger. They are part of the larger group of "swing kids" who gather to play swing music and dance. A risky activity at this time.The core of the story centers upon Peter who recognizes the evil of the Nazi propaganda, and resists it, while Thomas resists at first but eventually is swayed. The two friends increasingly are at odds, culminating in a fight near the end.This is both an entertaining movie, even though it involves a very serious subject, and also a historically significant one, as it relates to the Nazi doctrine. I suppose, looking at it now, it was the severe viewpoints, the "supremacy of the race", that got more and more Germans to turn against it and resist. As well as most of the rest of the world.

I watched this movie for the first time last night. A History buff, I had never heard about the "swing kids" movement in Germany, but when my friend handed me the DVD at the library and I read the back, I instantly saw that this film could be right up my alley. I also must confess...I'm a big Robert Sean Leonard fan. I was introduced to him in House, and also love "Much Ado." I saw Dead Poet's society but was very disappointed in the ending, because I felt RSL's "suicide" ruined the whole story. Anyway.. I was not disappointed in this movie. I loved watching the dance scenes, I loved the slow development of Leonard's character.. I loved the struggles, the very human struggle between survival and standing up for what you believe in. I don't know what else to say, I just loved the story. It inspired me. The ending made me choke up. Beautiful, Inspirational story..