Andre Previn: The Kindness Of Strangers

Andre Previn has stood center stage in the world of music for the last fifty years, earning him honorary knighthood for his contributions.Tony Palmer's ninety-minute documentary, filmed around the world, tells how and why Previn has gone from Berlin refugee to multi-Oscar-winning film score composer (Fair Lady, Irma La Douce, Porgy and Bess, Gigi), renowned jazz pianist and chief conductor of both the London Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestras.

Previn's remarkable career reached a climax in September 1998 with the premiere of his first opera, A Streetcar Named Desire.This film tells the story of the making of the opera, based on Tennessee Williams' controversial stage play, and follows the backstage trials and tribulations from first rehearsals through opening night.Previn talks candidly about the experience and relates it to his international life and career.