Taking Sides

Set in Germany in 1946, Taking Sides tells the story of the investigation of Wilhelm Furtwängler (Stellan Skarsgård), the renowned conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic and Vienna Philharmonic orchestras, by the American occupying army. Major Steve Arnold (Harvey Keitel) has been told by his ...more

István Szabó's Taking Sides is that increasingly rare movie, a serious drama addressing moral and philosophical issues that were not only deeply relevant to their particular story and time (over 60 years ago), but are critical today as well. Surprisingly, given its 1946 setting and context, the movie doesn't demand too much in the way of prior knowledge from the viewer; all of the necessary information for the audience is conveyed smoothly in the unfolding of the action within the first several ...more