Deseret News | Movie review: Swing Kids

Reader comments
Swing Kids

Jennifer | 1:11 p.m. Jan. 5, 1999

I loved the movie. I own it and the soundtrack. Anyone
who did any research on this movie would see that the
reason why the story is the way it is goes back to
history. While the people portrayed never existed, Swing
Kids did. This was based on what really happened in
Germany. I did an entire project in history on it. I
reasearched and researched and everything I found proved
Swing Kids to be true.

April E | 3:15 p.m. Jan. 19, 1999

If you saw this movie, and you didn't like, I will be forced to think that there is something wacked in your head! this movie is GREAT! it has a cast full of yummie guys that can act! ( did i mention that i plan to marry Robert Sean Leonard? OK not really. but if you're female admit to me that it would be nice! i give this movie...two thumbs, two toes and an eyebrow! Plus the 5 stars. :)

Joyce | 4:38 p.m. Jan. 21, 1999

This movie had great swing music, dancing, and story. It
was sad, but most everything in Germany during WW2 was sad.
I own the CD swing kids, and listen to it nearly every day.
I also have taken swing moves from the movie, and preformed
them. I don't think that the reviews gave this movie enough
credit.

Comments continue below

Kyle Campbell | 3:22 p.m. Feb. 3, 1999

I think that Swing Kids is one of the best movies I have
ever seen. I would be willing to watch it, say, 5 times a
day. I watch all of the dance scenes in slow-mo so I can
be sure to get the moves down. It's so fun! Try it some
time, you'll get hooked on swing dancing!

Sarah | 4:22 p.m. Feb. 3, 1999

I absolutely adore this movie. I saw it for the first time
when it very firts came out on video (after throwing fits in
the video store because I wanted some Disney movie) and have
been a Swing Kids fan ever since! I'm also doing a research
paper on youth resistance in Germany during WWII so if
anyone has ANY information I would be forever indebted to
you. Sunshine and keep swinging, Bit

Mr. Blain | 9:57 p.m. Feb. 9, 1999

You Suck Mr. Hicks!! Swing Kids is one of the best movies
I've seen in a long time. A movie with alittle depth is
good you know. Work on doing a review on the entertainment
of the movie and not "Choppy editing" and "un-realistic
dancing." Try thinking if it is entertaining to a viewer
not the director's choice of editor!

Todd DeKruyter | 6:52 p.m. Feb. 17, 1999

This movie was very good. The plot is excellent. I admit
the plot was not as you say"happy-go-lucky" but neither
is life and niether should all the movies. It shows the
truth about what happened in a realistic light. The dance
scenes are hot and if you're not a hepcat maybe you should
just stay away fromt the swing scene.

not telling | 3:17 p.m. March 7, 1999

Swing Kids is my favorite movie in the whole world! I must
have seen it 50 times, no joke! The story was so moving
and the message so important, (and yet the dance scenes
make it fun to watch!). Everyone should be aware of what
happened during the Nazis' rule. Peter is a perfect role-
model: he's so decent, moral, and strong! And Thomas,
Arvid, and Willie are all incredibly realistic and
wonderful characters. Please watch it, I'm possitive that
you will love it!

Dottie | 3:53 p.m. March 11, 1999

This movie was REALLY good. Of course any movie that can
get me that involved with the characters so that it makes
me cry has to be good. You can relate and feel for every
one of those boys. All I want to know is was there really
a group of Swing Kids in Germany during WWII? I haven't
been able to find anything on them.

Guess | 10:56 p.m. March 18, 1999

This is a definitely one of the best movies I've watched in
my entire life!! I watched it on TV somewhere and I was
totally glued on the screen!! Man, I can really feel how it
was like to be in Peter, or even Thomas's shoes!! It's a
really darn good show that I believe everyone should
watch!!!

Mary Along | 4:41 p.m. March 19, 1999

You either march to one tune or dance to another.SWING HEIL!
The best movie I've ever watched..

roxanne ramirez | 11:17 a.m. June 11, 1999

This movie is the best movie ever!!!!! I have watched it so
many times I cant even keep track. I know the movie word
for word. Its my all time favorite!! It had a good plot and
gave a good idea of how Nazis can really brainwash someone.
it is a great story about friendship and loyalty and I
have learned lots from it [and not just dancing moves]!!!!

moneybaby | 10:23 p.m. June 21, 1999

when i found out that Robert Sean Leonard was in this film
i ran to the theater with my boyfriend and bought tickets
right away. you see, he was, and still is, my favourite
actor!(oh...well....besides Vince Vaughn. he comes first.
He definately comes first!)it was the best five dollars i
had ever spent. Actually the best fifteen dollars i'd ever
spent since i went to the theater three times to see it.
then there's the additional twenty dollars i spent renting
it when it came out on video. my boyfriend just bought it
for my 18th birthday. it was the best gift i've ever
gotten. i don't know how he's gonna top that for my 19th
birthday!?!
*remember*
IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF IT AIN'T GOT THAT SWING!!!!!!

Megan Garcia | 12:44 a.m. July 20, 1999

I loved Swing Kids. I think that although the actors may
not have had the entire german accent down, it was
wonderful. I think that it fulfills what I wanted to see.
Although we might think it looks fake, how are we to know
what it was truly like then and there at that time in
history?

Mike | 9:31 p.m. Aug. 10, 1999

I throughly enjoyed this film. I have read three negative reviews of this movie and have failed to understand why there are so many positive posts about this film. I've come to the conclusion that if I do just the opposite of what the critics recommend, my money will be well spent.

Justin Skaggs | 6:40 a.m. Nov. 1, 1999

That is my favorite movie it makes me want to live
back in those days.

tanya | 9:58 a.m. Nov. 25, 1999

I am a swing dancer at my school. we just started a swing
club. We showed "swing Kids" at our first meet and we all
thought it was great! it showed us how swing started to
die..... But now its back!!!

ashley | 6:16 p.m. Jan. 3, 2000

i can't believe what the critics have said about this
movie. it is excellent and captured my heart entirely!
i'm even doing a report and speech on the swing kids now...
it is a movie that portrays youth standing up for what is
right and what they know in their heart they should do. i
would blame the movie's "unsuccess" on all the critics who
criticize it. SWING HEIL!

Erinne | 3:35 p.m. March 8, 2000

This was an awsome movie. It is my favorite. It encouraged
me to do a report on the swing kids, but now I can't find
any information. If anyone can help- Please.
*****

Capri | 11:40 p.m. April 17, 2000

I think that whoever has seen this movie and didn't like it
there is something seriously wrong with you!!!! This movie
is one of a kind and I can't get enough of it!! It teaches
us teenagers so much and I think all the critics are to
blame for it being "unsuccessful" because it's the best
movie I've ever seen! Let's bring swing back and teach
everyone a lesson!! SWING HEIL!!!!

jenny | 11:25 a.m. May 10, 2000

it was a good movie. you compare it to newies, because
newies is a musical, and swing kids is a drama. the actors
were great in it. they made the plot come alive. swing kids
is a good movie, and it should have had a better reveiw then
choppy editing

Barbara | 7:04 p.m. May 10, 2000

I think this movie was great. It gave us an idea on what was going on during the Holocaust. It also proved to us that not only adults have to make EXTREME decisions. It is a great video and it teaches people that they should only go by what they believe in and to keep their faith strong!

Candice Lovett | 12:27 a.m. May 26, 2000

I think Swing Kids is the BEST movie i have ever seen, it
has some of the best swing dancing and its a great movie
for anyone that loves swing and cute guys!!!

David Ness | 2:32 a.m. June 27, 2000

Swing Kids, unrealistic but at the same time interesting
focused to much on swing and needed to focus more on the
Hitler Youth movement

amy | 6:09 p.m. July 15, 2000

Swing Kids is a highly entertaining movie. One of my
favorites. The acting is supurb, the plot is wonderful,
and the music is fantastic. Anyone who says the plot is
slow moving or boring is obviously not a true Swing Kid at
heart.

Emalay | 7:31 p.m. July 6, 2001

I would give this movie 5 stars but 4 is the highest it
would let me pick. I don't own the movie but I have seen it
before. I was wondering if anyone would help me. How many
curse words does Swing Kids have in it? I know its more
than 5 and the F word is in it. But next time you watch it
listen close and count 1 by one please and tell me! Please
hurry! Thanks SO SO SO much!

Nicole | 9:13 p.m. Aug. 14, 2001

I personally think that Swing Kids is a very well thought
out movie to the core. I think it teaches the younger
audience about tolerance and what propanganda can really do
to someone. The characters Peter and Thomas are best
friends and are the rebels that like to cause trouble,and
then it displays the discipline that they need in order to
make up for their mistakes, in which their friendship is
torn apart by the propaganda which is instilled into the
weak-willed Thomas' head. Also, I think it shows that is
was majorly studied and looked into. I think it displays
lots of thought and effort that didn't get the acclaimed
fame it should have gotten in the theatres. Thank You
Nicole

Eric | 9:36 a.m. Sept. 21, 2006

This movie really sucked the music and the dance were
really cheesy

Lauren | 10:55 p.m. Oct. 25, 2006

Personally, i LOVED this movie. We had to watch it for
history class, and i rented it before we did, and it was
amazing. Funny, Exciting, well thought out, and sad at
some parts, this movie really gets you thinking about the
importance of family, friends, and acceptance.

BOB BARKER | 3:02 p.m. March 25, 2007

A W E S O M awesom awesom awesom awesom ME!!

Jessica | 12:25 a.m. Aug. 23, 2007

This movie, in my eyes, deserves a million stars. haha,
seriously, this has to be my favourite movie ever. I am
obsessed with WW2 and all that happened. I love Swing Kids,
and hate Nazis with a fiery passion. When I watch this
movie, it is soooo amazing seeing this unique group of kids
who stood up against what they KNEW was wrong. It is the
most inspiring thing ever, and I strive like a madman to be
just like them. :) Everyone in that movie did a wonderful
acting job. I HIGHLY recommend that anyone who has not seen
this movie SHOULD see it. I love it to death. :) <3

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Movie Info

Rated PG for violence, profanity, vulgarity, nude artwork.

Cast: Robert Sean Leonard, Christian Bale, Frank Whaley, Barbara Hershey, Kenneth Branagh.

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