Copying Beethoven
by Agnieszka Holland
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Diane Kruger, Ed Harris, Matthew Goode, Matyelok Gibbs, Ralph RiachDirector: Agnieszka Holland
Brand: Sony
Producer: Alex Lewis
Producer: Andreas Grosch
Producer: Andreas Schmid
Producer: Bruce Webb
Producer: Christopher Wilkinson
Writer: Christopher Wilkinson
Writer: Stephen J. Rivele
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed); Spanish (Dubbed), Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2007-04-03
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
Product features:
- COPYING BEETHOVEN
Movie Reviews of Copying Beethoven
Movie Review: A terrific film even for non-classical music folks (full-screen edition)
Summary: 5 Stars
This film truly defines quality melodrama (the promoters call it "drama")... the emotions of the principals herein are somewhat exaggerated and a superb soundtrack punctuates the action. The various scenes flow right along and are neither hokey, nor boring, nor lethargic.
Here we are transported to 1825 Vienna, Austria near the end of Beethoven's life. There is not much argument against Beethoven being the greatest classical music composer of all time and his groundbreaking Magnum opus, Symphony No. 9 ("Choral") serves as the focal point of the film. It's also significant to know that Beethoven was deaf, pretty much subsequent to the composition of his 5th Symphony.
A fact of which most casual Beethoven listeners are unaware is that the old maestro could be a brutal megalomaniac just short in increment of Richard Wagner's infamous personality. But at times Beethoven could also assert compassion, especially toward his closest relative, a ne'er-do-well nephew.
The story here is about a young music student, Anna Holz (superbly played by Diane Kruger), who is tasked to hurriedly copy the score of Beethoven's 9th Symphony, the première of which is slated for just a few days away. She "corrects" Beethoven's scrawl (Beethoven is played quite effectively by Ed Harris) in one critical spot and this incomprehensible but courageous act brings the two of them together into a "partnership" rather than as employer-employee.
Beethoven insists on conducting the 9th and, in a near panic, on the night of the concert he enlists Anna to conduct in the pit just below him so that he doesn't throw the orchestra off into chaos. One of the finest facets of the movie is the shrewdly abridged version of the 9th Symphony being conducted by Beethoven (and by Anna). The interaction between Anna and Beethoven presents a roller coaster ride that the viewer will not soon forget.
I'm not a huge fan of contemporary film -- rare exceptions include The Village (Widescreen Vista Series) and Gosford Park. But in this instance I have found yet another exception -- this is a terrifically entertaining film from start to finish. And of course the filmscore is spectacular as well, particularly for Beethoven fans. I do wish that I had viewed the movie in widescreen but this is the hazard of borrowing DVDs from the public library -- they tend to always be in full-screen.
The film is not entirely flawless in that it's hardly a work for the edification of prospective Beethoven scholars. For example, Beethoven at one point states his guess that Anna's favorite of all his works is the "Moonlight Sonata" (Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor "Quasi una fantasia", Op. 27, No. 2, composed in 1801.) This unfortunate comment is an anachronism as this renowned work wasn't dubbed the "Moonlight Sonata" until 1832, when music critic Ludwig Rellstab compared the first movement to moonlight shining upon Lake Lucerne. The point is that this nickname did not evolve until five years subsequent to Beethoven's death in 1827.
Still, I'm okay with the invocation of poetic license on the part of directors of biographical films as long as it's not something in gross conflict with the life of their selected subject. In this case, the movie was wonderfully directed by Agnieszka Holland.
Highly recommended!
Summary of Copying Beethoven
COPYING BEETHOVEN - DVD MovieA passionate, powerful drama based loosely on the final months of Ludwig van Beethoven's life, Copying Beethoven finds the maestro a haunted man, composing the most revolutionary yet unappreciated work of his lifetime; largely deaf; disappointed in his relationship with a wastrel nephew; and fascinated by a young, female composer, Anna Holtz (Diane Kruger), who goes to work for him transcribing music. Staying as a guest at a convent and engaged to a stolid engineer, Anna is drawn to Beethoven?s tempestuous genius. Half the time he's enchanted by her and seems to see straight through to her soul. The other half, he's shouting at her for her timidity or flattery. Hardly a mouse, Anna fights back. The more she does, the more Beethoven recognizes in her a kindred survivor, someone with whom he can reveal his vulnerability and the burden of his artistry. Ed Harris' Beethoven is wracked by pain but not overwhelmed by it; he looks like a man who understands his responsibility to nature too well to merely disintegrate. ("God whispers in most men's ears," Beethoven says. "He shouts in mine.") Director Agnieszka Holland (Olivier, Olivier) oversees a handsome, alternately tender and brutal drama, with several thrilling moments, including the stunned look of audience members hearing the world premiere of the glorious 9th Symphony. --Tom Keogh
Copying Beethoven Extras
 Watch Ed Harris speak about portraying Beethoven in this exclusive clip. |
Beyond Copying Beethoven
 Copying Beethoven Soundtrack |  Famous Composers: Ludwig Van Beethoven |  More From MGM |
Stills from Copying Beethoven
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