This grim but compelling true-life story of a woman's orchestra in Auschwitz, whose members played literally to keep themselves alive, was scripted by famous author Arthur Miller, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his fine play Death of a Salesman. Despite all the controversy which surrounded the selection of Vanessa Redgrave to play the central character, Jewish cabaret singer Fania Fenelon on whose memoirs the film is based, there was no dispute that her performance was a remarkable one. And Jane Alexander's account of the orchestra's leader, a niece of the great composer Mahler, also attracted much praise. In a generally admirable cast, there is a forceful performance, too, from Shirley Knight as the Nazi in charge of the women. There is little doubt that Playing for Time emerged as one of the most striking and important TV movies of its year.


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