And the Band Played On (film)

And the Band Played On is a 1993 American television filmdocudrama directed by Roger Spottiswoode from a teleplay by Arnold Schulman, adapted from Randy Shilts's 1987 non-fiction book of the same name. Chronicling the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States, the film follows CDCepidemiologistDon Francis as he investigates the emerging disease amid bureaucratic indifference, scientific rivalry, and resistance from the blood industry, alongside San Francisco activist Bill Kraus's efforts to protect the gay community. The film features a large ensemble cast including Matthew Modine, Alan Alda, Ian McKellen, Richard Gere, Anjelica Huston, Steve Martin, Lily Tomlin, Phil Collins, Glenne Headly, Swoosie Kurtz, Richard Masur, Saul Rubinek, Charles Martin Smith, Christian Clemenson, Jeffrey Nordling, Richard Jenkins, and BD Wong.

Produced by Spelling Entertainment for HBO Pictures, the film premiered at the Montreal World Film Festival on September 2, 1993, ahead of its television broadcast on HBO on September 11, 1993. It was later released theatrically in several countries and aired on NBC in 1994 with a parental discretion warning. The project had a lengthy and troubled development history, with Schulman rewriting the script over several years through multiple changes of director.

The film received generally positive reviews, with critics praising its ambition and emotional weight while noting that condensing Shilts's lengthy book led to uneven pacing. It holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on early reviews. At the 46th Primetime Emmy Awards, the film won three prizes (from fourteen nominations altogether), including the Outstanding Made for Television Movie, among numerous other award wins and nominations. Additionally, the film would go on to receive two Golden Globe Award nominations: Best Miniseries or Television Film and Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film (Matthew Modine).