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Jessica Lange, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Frederic Forrest, Donald Moffat, Lukas Haas ... see more see more... , Cheryl Lynn Bruce , Edward Blatchford , J.S. Block , Larry Brandenburg , Elzbieta Czyzewska , Toni Fleming , Ralph Foody , Sol Frieder , Nicholas J. Giangiulio , Michael C. Gwynne , Albert Hall , Gábor Koncz , Mitchell Litrofsky , Jane MacIver , Tom Mason , Elizabeth Owens , Dan Resin , Michael Rooker , Ned Schmidtke , Michael Shillo , Felix Shuman , Mari Töröcsik , Kevin White , Ellis Williams , Margo Winkler , Marta Sebestyen , Andy Avalos , Mimi Bensinger , Leonard E. Boswell , Nicholas Christianson , Richard D'Angelo , Gyorgy Emod , Agnes Gallwitz , Zoltan Gera , Tracy Grant , Donnez Harris , Erica MD Heit , Pauline Kaner , Tibor Kenderesi , Magda Szekely Marburg , Douglas Marcinek , Christiana Nicola , George Pusep , Owen Rice , Magda Sass , Tom Skilling , Mark Steggerda , Tom Stienke , Megan Warner , Mary Goldberg , George Carson , Anne Gartlan , Joe Guzaldo , Pam Dixon Mickelson

Jessica Lange plays an attorney whose affable Hungarian-immigrant father Armin Mueller-Stahl is arrested. He is threatened with deportation for lying about his activities during World War II; part of ... read more read more...the charge is that Mueller-Stahl was a Nazi collaborationist, guilty of wartime atrocities. Absolutely convinced that her father is being railroaded by a revenge-seeking Hungarian communist government, Lange handles Mueller-Stahl's defense, expertly blowing huge holes in prosecuting attorney Frederic Forrest's case. But in doing her own research, Lange discovers that her father has spent a lifetime paying off a blackmailer. Why? In contrast to the fervency of his earlier Z, Costa-Gavras refuses to make things easy by proselytizing in The Music Box (nor does screenwriter Joe Esterhas indulge in his usual right-between-the-eyes fervency). Everything in the film is offered on the same calm, collected level, making the ultimate horror of the story all the more effective. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Flixster Users

27% want to see it

2,714 ratings

Critics

69% liked it

13 critics

PG-13, 2 hr. 6 min.

Directed by: Costa-Gavras

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DVD Release Date: May 20, 2003

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Jessica Lang & Armin Müller-Stahl in Music Box Jessica Lang & Armin Müller-Stahl in Music Box Jessica Lange in Music Box Jessica Lang & Armin Müller-Stahl in Music Box Jessica Lang & Armin Müller-Stahl in Music Box Jessica Lange in Music Box Jessica Lange in Music Box Music Box
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Flixster Reviews (96)

  • bbcfloridabound
    May 31, 2009
    bbcfloridabound
    Not sure how I came across this movie to put on my list but I am glad I did/ Armin Muller-Stahl plays as usual an excellent part of a father who is accused of WWII war crimes. Living in the United Sates he is faced with being sent back to Hungary. Jessica Lange plays the daughter... read more who is a lawyer and has decided to defend her father. Why Jessica Lange is not listed in the cast on this page is beyond me, another Flixster goof? A twist at the end, that I will not give away, but that all can see coming after about the 1st hr. Even though Jessica was awarded a Oscar for her performance, I can't give more then 3 1/2 stars, that doesn't mean this film is not worth watching at least once. If your a WWII Buff you might rate it higher
  • RossCollinsUK
    August 1, 2008
    RossCollinsUK
    Yet another boring 80s courtroom drama with wooden acting, which fails to make me care about the characters or bring any suspense to the case.
  • jjnxn
    April 5, 2007
    jjnxn
    a little slow moving but fine acting and a good story make it worthwhile.
  • ileo
    December 25, 2007
    ileo
    Good movie.
  • imboop56
    June 13, 2007
    imboop56
    Was he, or wasn't he? Very suspenseful movie that definitely makes you aware of just how MONSTROUS Hitler & Co. really were. Chilling to the very end!
  • nanoqna
    January 16, 2007
    nanoqna
    this is a tough movie its a court drama and tehres no action. jessicalange is a good job as teh daughter of a war criminal but u dunno that. the other actors r good and someimes te plot is silly, but its good that its got good actiong. so 4 and a half stars.
  • flynnparadox
    September 14, 2006
    flynnparadox
    Good performances but the story is quite contrived for what appears to be a serious, realistic drama.

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Critic Reviews

Cole Smithey
July 17, 2009
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com

...a stand-alone example of a full-bodied courtroom drama. Full Review

Dennis Schwartz
June 5, 2006
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews

Failed to be affecting. Full Review

Steve Rhodes
January 1, 2000
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews

The script by Hollywood's controversial writer Joe Eszterhas is strictly edge of the seat material. Full Review

April 8, 2008
Variety

Click to read the article Full Review

Caryn James
August 30, 2004
Caryn James, New York Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Peter Travers
May 12, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

No review available.

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Click to read the article Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

Click to read the article Full Review

Eric Lurio
December 21, 2004
Eric Lurio, Greenwich Village Gazette

No review available.

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