Immortal Beloved (Deluxe Edition)
|
List Price: Our Price: $8.49 You Save: $6.46 (43%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $5.94 (click here) Category: DVD See more DVD releases |
|---|
Buy this DVD movie at online store in your country
Canada
Canada
Movie Reviews of Immortal Beloved (Deluxe Edition)
Movie Review: Es müß sein.
Summary: 5 Stars
One longs for a movie that treats a great artist's life as something other than the ravings of a madman.
While the wait carries on, however, IMMORTAL BELOVED is delicious entertainment. The mysterious woman of Ludwig von Beethoven's scrawled final testament turns out to be his sister-in-law, the widow of a brother killed by consumption, and--in the end--the mother of the nephew Beethoven snatched from her. The boy himself was an unfortunate soul who in the end turns out to have been flesh of Ludwig's flesh.
If this sounds a bit like supermarket tabloid stuff, well, the difference lies in that Ludwig von Beethoven was no momentary celebrity whose life will flare out after its requisite fifteen minutes of fame. On the contrary, Beethoven was one of the West's and indeed humanity's great artistic geniuses. A conspiracy tale wraps so much more satisfyingly around a life like his. This is especially so when the story is accompanied by the man's own music, played with ominous solemnity the London Symphony Orchestra under Sir George Solti's baton.
I somehow missed this film when it was released in 1994. Other things were going on. A Memorial Day weekend spent with the DVD is a pleasure that more than requites the wait. Jeroen Krabbé's performance as Friend-of-Ludwig Anton Schindler deserves at least the merit that Gary Oldman as Beethoven and Isabella Rosselini earned for their arguably lesser performances.
Krabbé becomes the film's dramatic center as he vollies between historical personages in an attempt to piece together the contours of Beethoven's loves. His stolid weightiness makes him perfect for such an anchoring role.
The filming (Chekoslovakia) is gorgeous and there is, always, the music.
IMMORTAL BELOVED turns Beethoven's life and death into a tragedy. Although the historicity that makes this artistic decision plausible is debatable, it is arguable that only a man well acquainted with the tragic could have written such enduring, powerful, seductive music.
Vielleicht, dann, es mußte sein.
Movie Review: Powerful Influence of music on early 19th century ears.
Summary: 5 Stars
A previous reviewer wrote: "How would you feel if someone opened your mind to something in an entirely new light? You never saw it that way until they showed you." in relationship to music of this kind, I dare say that it was just short of true magic. That kind of music held an almost voodoo like power when herd. As I watched the reaction of some of the women in the movie reacting to this kind of music, I could get closer to the type of power, the godlike persuasion, if you will, that some composers had at the time. Have you ever see the old National geographic videos? that showed the reaction of native peoples to orchestral music? It was of great awe - god like and powerfully magical. And please don't remind me the upper crust society was used to it. Not by a long shot. This movie, lets you experience that quality. Yes, you can indulge over the point that the women in the movie "loved" the composer, But it is apparent, to some that they are in love with the sound that his music provided. The power of that music, if you had never herd that kind of music very much might very well let you interpret a deep awe.
Having seen Immortal Beloved, I have a much stronger respect for Beethoven, as well as his contribution to this world...his music.
In My Never To Be Humble personal opinion...a masterpiece. It affects me to such a degree every time I experience it, I always aware of a deep energy penetrating emotion on my face. How would you feel if someone opened your mind to something in an entirely new light? You never saw it that way until they showed you. This is what the film does for me. Rich cinematography, Some untouched primal awe was awakened in me as if we could hear that music the way they would have herd it back in Beethoven's day. A tragic love story in the best sense.
I personally feel these people are just missing out on a great film and great storytelling at its best. But you be the judge...see Immortal Beloved. I guarantee you'll never be able to listen to Beethoven's music quite the same way ever again.
Movie Review: A Splendid Intro To Beethoven, A Great Film
Summary: 5 Stars
As Amadeus was a great introduction to Mozart's music, Immortal Beloved is an incredible introduction to Beethoven's music, besides being quality drama. In much the same way, it also serves as a fine historic insight on Beethoven's life and career in music. Although there has to be alterations of the truth, for the most part, Beethoven's long-suffering life and genius are masterfully portrayed. The focus of the movie, embellished by Beethoven's greatest instrumental works, is the secret identity of the "Immortal Beloved", an enigmatic woman for whom Beethoven wrote incredibly passionate letters. It is up to the viewer to decide which of the three women Beethoven was involved with is his Immortal Beloved, each woman striking in her own character, especially the Countess, played by Isabella Rossalini.The score is all Beethoven an appropriate for the scenes. The film is lush and visually stimulating, Vienna ballrooms and palaces, the wide boulevards, the secluded gardens in a villa, the concert halls and Beethoven's music studio. The opening music, as Beethoven's funeral is under progress, is his Kyrie from Missa Solemnis, a profoundly moving choral work. The Moonlight Sonata is played when Beethoven buries his head over his piano and broods in sadness, the Kreutzer Sonata is played as Beethoven's coach speeds on a highway in the middle of a rainstorm, Beethoven's 3rd symphony as Beethoven talks about his music to his brother's sister, Beethoven's 9th symphony, with the thrilling chorus "Ode To Joy" as Beethoven reminisces about his hard-knock life as a boy and must deal with his deafness, and finally, the Fifth Piano Concerto, called the "Emperor concerto" as the final credits roll.
Quality film, striking cinema, fine performances by Gary Oldman and Isabella Rossalini, and the most beautiful music ever to grace the screen. Five stars. Check this excellent DVD out and the soundtrack which is also available at Amazon.com. It is without a question a great intro to Beethoven.
Movie Review: Immortally beautiful film
Summary: 5 Stars
I have seen this film countless times. After my first viewing in January 1995 at the theatre I felt that gary oldman deserved to get an oscar for his performance as Beethoven and the film should have easily received the osacr for best movie. however, the film was very quietly received by the public at large; on the other hand, it has generated an almost cult following among Beethoven fans. The story is based on the biographical account of Schindler and offers one of sevarl possible versions of beethoven's private life. Quite apart from any inaccuracies the film is wonderfully shot and one of the final scenes that mixes excerpts of Beethoven's childhood, his father and the first performance of the 9th simphony is amazingf.. Critics complained that the music, performed by Georg Solti - who makes a camei appearnce as the conductor of the 9th, was performed according to 20th centurt standards and instruments, rather than the less evolved varieties of Beethoven's day. i found that to be completely irrelevant. The point is that the music written almost 200 years ago played on whatever instrument will osund u equivocally beautiful. The film is very romantic but never sirupy or oinctuos. Immortal Beloved is Amadeus ' equal in beauty and effect. The soundtrack of course speaks for itself. as a side note those familiar with Tolstoy's short story 'The Kreutzer Sonata' will find some familiar material. The fact that Bernard Rose directed the film version of Anna Karenina only 2 years later -- with a beautiful soundtrack of Rachmaninov, tchaikovsky and other Greats -- does not surprise me and suggests that Mr. Rose has excellent taste in music, literature and loves beauty in general. I look forward to his next work
Movie Review: Wonderful film
Summary: 5 Stars
Unfortunately, period films are few and far between these days. On the bright side, there are some gems, such as this one here. It grabbed my attention because of two things: not only was it a period film, it was another film about one of my very favorite composers (the other, of course, being "Amadeus"). This film uses somewhat the same technique used in "Amadeus"; that is, it is told entirely in flashback and the composer (in this case, Beethoven) provides the basis for the plot. Again as in the other film, the composer's music also plays an important role. The director chose to use different pieces to illustrate the action, and it comes out quite beautifully. The plot is intriguing as well. At the beginning, Beethoven dies and leaves a mysterious letter to his "Immortal Beloved". His last will states that all of his music and property shall go to this woman. His friend and former secretary, Schindler, takes it upon himself to interview three women who were most involved romantically with Beethoven to try and determine which of them is the unknown Beloved.
The film is based partly on fact. The ending, of course, is based on speculation. I liked the way they handled Beethoven's character. They made several points throughout showing how his deafness could have affected him. Seeing that made me feel a lot for him. One of the best scenes HAS to be where he plays the "Moonlight" Sonata--even though it's a movie, I think it's through this scene that you can realize how talented Beethoven was.