Rent 'Round Midnight (1986)
3.8 of 5 from 88 ratings
2h 6min
- General info
- Available formats
- Synopsis:
In 'Round Midnight, real-life jazz legend Dexter Gordon brilliantly portrays the fictional tenor sax player Dale Turner, a musician slowly losing the battle with alcoholism, estranged from his family, and hanging on by a thread in the 1950's New York jazz world. Dale gets an offer to play in Paris, where, like many other black American musicians at the time, he enjoys a respect for his humanity that is not based upon the colour of his skin. A Parisian man who is obsessed with Turner's music befriends him and attempts to save Turner from himself. Although for Dale the damage is already done, his poignant relationship with the man and his young daughter re-kindles his spirit and his music as the end draws near. - Actors:
- Dexter Gordon, François Cluzet, Gabrielle Haker, Sandra Reaves-Phillips, Lonette McKee, Christine Pascal, Herbie Hancock, Bobby Hutcherson, Pierre Trabaud, Frédérique Meininger, Hart Leroy Bibbs, Liliane Rovère, Ged Marlon, Benoît Régent, Victoria Gabrielle Platt, Arthur French, John Berry, Martin Scorsese, Philippe Noiret, Alain Sarde
- Directors:
- Bertrand Tavernier
- Producers:
- Irwin Winkler
- Writers:
- David Rayfiel, Bertrand Tavernier, Colo Tavernier
- Others:
- Herbie Hancock
- Aka:
- Round Midnight
- Studio:
- Warner
- Genres:
- Classics, Drama, Music & Musicals
- Collections:
- The Instant Expert's Guide, The Instant Expert's Guide to Martin Scorsese, The Instant Expert's Guide to Spike Lee
- Awards:
- BBFC:
- Release Date:
- 09/05/2022
- Run Time:
- 131 minutes
- Languages:
- English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0, French DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1
- Subtitles:
- English, English Hard of Hearing
- Formats:
- Pal
- Aspect Ratio:
- Widescreen 2.39:1
- Colour:
- Colour
- BLU-RAY Regions:
- B
- Bonus:
- New interview with jazz and cultural critic Gary Giddins
- New conversation with music producer Michael Cuscuna and author Maxine Gordon, widow of musician Dexter Gordon
- Before Midnight, a 1986 behind-the-scenes documentary by Jean Achache
- Panel discussion from 2014 featuring Cuscuna, Maxine Gordon, director Bertrand Tavernier, and jazz scholar John Szwed, moderated by jazz critic and broadcaster Mark Ruffin
- Performance from 1969 of "Fried Bananas" by Dexter Gordon, directed by Teit Jorgensen
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Reviews (4) of 'Round Midnight
Best jazz film ever - 'Round Midnight review by JW
If you are a fan of post-bop jazz and 1950s Paris, you're going to love this film. The story of an ageing saxophonist battling with addiction befriended by a French fan is based on a true story. Far from being grim, the characters on and offstage are full of life. The Oscar winning soundtrack is played live on set by luminaries of the jazz world. 1950s Paris is loving recreated on the screen. Dexter Gordon's portrayal of a jazz artist facing the end of his life while producing amazing music is riveting. This is far and away the best film about the life of a jazz musician, capturing its mixed realities and great music at the same time. I would love to step into the screen and live in the world portrayed.
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Long Tall Dexter - 'Round Midnight review by RhysH
If you are making a film about a great jazz musician why not get a great jazz musician to play the part? Difficult? Not if you get Dexter Gordon, whose playing and acting in this film is quite superb. As with his playing style, in his acting, he gives himself space, a beautifully measured performance.
In a discussion with other jazzmen for "Down Beat" Gordon talked about his move to Europe. "Since I've been over here I felt that I could breathe, and just be more or less a human being without being white or black."
On the cover of Gordon's album "One Flight Up" he stands tall, legs wide apart with his infectious big tooth grin. He looks a giant of a man, he was a giant of a player and a great actor
2 out of 2 members found this review helpful.
Jazz - nice - 'Round Midnight review by NJ
A very long winded story without too much drama, but hey, if you love jazz just listen to the music, there is a cast of brilliant players. Dexter Gordon takes a very laconic approach to playing the lead role, I'd never heard him speak before, he sounds half asleep, don't know if that's in character or just his own voice?
All in all though, I loved the music and enjoyed the film.
0 out of 0 members found this review helpful.