Although it has taken me 5 years of continuous re-watchings, I doubt I can write any review that could possibly give this film the justice it deserves. Roger Spottiswoode's HBO televised movie "And the Band Played On" is possibly the best, and certainly the most important, thing I have ever seen come out of television. This is the story of the discovery of  the AIDS virus, the ensuing epidemic, the political infighting of the scientific community, and their hampering of the initial fight against it. Let me preface my comments with some facts:

Back in 1992 - "And the Band Played On" was produced despite heavy fears in the film industry until Richard Gere accepted a small role, which effectively broke the taboo also risking impeding his skyrocketing career... subsequently Steve Martin , Alan Alda, Phil Collins and Anjelica Houston were also willing to appear. I read somewhere that Aaron Spelling (best known for producing popular sit-com and soapy prime-time dramatic series) said in his autobiography that the production that he was most proud of in his career was this made-for-television film "And the Band Played On".

Folks, although the term is easily throw around, THIS is something that everyone inhabiting our planet should witness. It documents, not only the existence and discovery of the 'modern day plague', it makes us socially aware of how relevant egocentric behavior can become in our own downfall as a species. This is one of the best films I have ever seen. out of