Hymn of the Nations
Synopsis
Commissioned by the U.S. Office of War Information, this short film features conductor Arturo Toscanini leading the NBC Symphony Orchestra, tenor Jan Peerce, and the Westminster Choir in Verdi’s Inno delle nazioni. Originally composed in the 1860s as a musical tribute to Europe, Toscanini expanded the score to include The Star-Spangled Banner and The Internationale in honor of the Allied struggle and Italian partisans. Filmed in NBC’s Studio 8H, the documentary interweaves performance with scenes of Toscanini at home, emphasizing his anti-fascist stance and celebrating the liberation of Italy. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2010.
Top Cast
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Release History & Theatrical Window
Jihlava Film Festival
Festival / Special Debut
February 1, 1944
Wide Cinema Exhibition
Key Information & Fast Facts
- Director
- Alexander Hammid
- Screenplay & Story
- Arrigo Boito, May Sarton
- Original Title
- Hymn of the Nations
- Country of Origin
- United States of America
- Spoken Languages
- English, Italian
- Runtime
- 31m
- Production Studios
- Office of War Information
Creative Leadership & Key Crew
Alexander Hammid
Arrigo Boito, May Sarton
Boris Kaufman
Irving Lerner
Irving Lerner
Department Leadership Roster
Irving Lerner
Editor
May Sarton
Writer
Irving Lerner
Producer
Alexander Hammid
Director
Boris Kaufman
Director of Photography
Production Stills & Gallery
Official cinematic photography and background stills for Hymn of the Nations.
Featured In Curated Collections
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War: World War II
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Frequently Asked Questions About Hymn of the Nations
Quick factual answers about cast, synopsis, director, box office, and release information.
What is Hymn of the Nations about?
Commissioned by the U.S. Office of War Information, this short film features conductor Arturo Toscanini leading the NBC Symphony Orchestra, tenor Jan Peerce, and the Westminster Choir in Verdi’s Inno delle nazioni. Originally composed in the 1860s as a musical tribute to Europe, Toscanini expanded the score to include The Star-Spangled Banner and The Internationale in honor of the Allied struggle and Italian partisans. Filmed in NBC’s Studio 8H, the documentary interweaves performance with scenes of Toscanini at home, emphasizing his anti-fascist stance and celebrating the liberation of Italy. Preserved by the Academy Film Archive in 2010.
Who directed Hymn of the Nations?
Hymn of the Nations was directed by Alexander Hammid.
Who stars in Hymn of the Nations?
The principal cast of Hymn of the Nations includes Arturo Toscanini, Jan Peerce, Burgess Meredith, Walfredo Toscanini, Knox Manning.
When was Hymn of the Nations released and how long is it?
Hymn of the Nations was released in 1944 with a total runtime of 31m.