'Round Midnight

1986
R
2h 13m

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

YOUR RATING

A troubled, but talented musician flees the US to escape his problems, finding refuge and support in Paris.

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Drama Music

A troubled, but talented musician flees the US to escape his problems, finding refuge and support in Paris.A troubled, but talented musician flees the US to escape his problems, finding refuge and support in Paris.A troubled, but talented musician flees the US to escape his problems, finding refuge and support in Paris.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.4/10

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Won 1 Oscar
- 11 wins & 13 nominations total

Trivia
The character of Francis Borler is based on Francis Paudras, who died in 1997. The character of Dale Turner is a combination of real-life jazzmen Bud Powell and Lester Young. The real-life friendship between Paudras and Bud Powell has been the subject of several books.

Goofs
Although the movie takes place in 1959, in one scene near the end where Francis and Dale are walking along the East River in New York, one can clearly see the twin World Trade Center towers in the background. These towers were not completed until the '70's.

Quotes
Dale: You know, Lady Francis, there's not enough kindness in the world.

Connections
Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Jumpin' Jack Flash/Tough Guys/Children of a Lesser God/'Round Midnight (1986)

Soundtracks
'Round Midnight
Written by Thelonious Monk - Cootie Williams and Bernard Hanighen (as Bernie Hanighen)
Performed by Bobby McFerrin

User reviews27

Review

Featured review

9/10

A film that captures the soul of jazz

The one thing I remember about this film is Dexter Gordon's voice. Weary, sad, and wry. It's a voice that has played a lot of sad songs and smoked a lot of cigarettes, and it's a beautiful instrument in its own way. Gordon plays Dale Turner, an expatriate jazz musician in Paris and a recovering heroin addict. This film is the story of his time in Paris and his eventual return to New York City. This film slightly parallels Gordon's own life - he too was a former heroin addict who spent much of his career in Paris, eventually returning home to New York City. A very touching and lovely ode to the beauty of jazz music, and a film that gave Dexter Gordon a deserved career comeback late in his life. Not to be missed.