Hymn of the Nations poster

Hymn of the Nations

5.3(9)194431m1

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.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
English
  • short film

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Writers

May Sarton

Produced in

United States of America

Where to watch

All options

Availability for United States. Provided by JustWatch through the TMDB API.

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Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • Theatrical1 Feb 1944
  • CzechiaCZ

    • PremiereJihlava Film Festival27 Oct 2003

Frequently asked questions

Hymn of the Nations was released on 1 February 1944.

Audience reviews

1
  • C

    CinemaSerf

    3/27/2026

    6/10

    With the assistance of the NBC Symphony Orchestra, we watch accomplished maestro Arturo Toscanini present us with an adapted version of Verdi’s overture to “La Forza del Destino” so it incorporates elements of the national anthems of the UK, France and the USA. It is all to celebrate the collapse of the Italian part of the Axis triumvirate during the Second World War and to also celebrate the contributions of Italian…

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