Copying Beethoven

It is somewhat surprising that most reviewers have chosen to focus on the character played by Ed Harris, while even the movie title already tells us that this is primarily about the copyist. While Ed Harris does well in the relatively easy role of a creative and nasty man, Diane Kruger definitely shines with her rich, subtle expressions, and her understated feminine dominance in most situations. While she has not been fully recognized in her career achievements because she is not a Hollywood product, Kruger has consistently been an actress of great quality. She has shown enviable versatility in films as diverse as Inglorious Basterds, Unknown, A Perfect Plan and The Operative, among others. In this movie plot, she basically conducts the Ninth Symphony because of Beethoven’s deafness. The scenes showing portions of the symphony are an entire poem about the relationship between the two, especially at the moment when she closes her eyes while entranced by the power of the music, and Beethoven seems then lost and bewildered.Not so much in the commercial line of the Amadeus product, this movie requires the ability to appreciate and enjoy subtleties. A musician myself, I find the story compelling, especially for non-musicians, and the acting outstanding by the female character.

Beethoven did use copyists for his symphonies, as did all other composers then. Today, you can compose a symphony on your computer and then have the software separate and print the individual parts. In 1824, when most of this movie takes place, each part had to be written out by hand after the overall score was finished. That part of this movie, then, is true. In fact, during Beethoven’s later years, he used two men, one of whom incidentally was named Holtz. In this movie they are combined and undergo a sex change into a young woman called Anna Holtz, played extremely well by Diane Kruger.So, does it work? Musically, the film is quite sophisticated, the Ninth fragments performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and the LSO Chorus (of which I was a member many years ago). The story? Well, the theme, which is the difficulty of devoting your life to music (for Anna but for Beethoven too), will resonate in the memories of those of us who chose other routes to earning a living and wonder whether the trade-offs were worth it. Beethoven knew, without any question, that his music would be played everywhere and forever, but at the same time he lived a lonely, financially precarious life, and died at the age of 57. He never married, though he wanted to, and had no children of his own. Worth it? Even Beethoven couldn’t know, for he never lived any alternative life. That’s the same situation I, who went on to law school, am in when it comes to music – I have no way of knowing what that life would have been. Would my symphonies be played by the LSO? Would I have three musicals running on Broadway and the London West End? Or would I, as my father warned, have had to buy a hand organ and a monkey? No way to know, and this film, as I say, brings all these thoughts to mind. Five stars, for sure.

I had never heard of this foreign produced film, but ordered same based on the story line, music, and acting. The two leads, Ed Harris and Diane Kruger are brilliant in the roles of Beethoven and his copyist, Anna, sent from a distant music school to copy the score of The Ninth Symphony several days prior to its premier. The story line is ficticious, but nonetheless captivating and believable. The interplay between the now deaf Beethoven and his composer wannabe Anna is an acting tour de force. The climax is the premier itself where Anna positioned herself within the orchestra and conducted from the score, her actions mimiced by Beethoven on the podium. To be blunt, it must been witnessed to be believed. I could go on, but the headline above says it all.

Total Rip-Off. No English anywhere ... all Polish (or some other language). Would not play on my Dell Desk Top but did play on my BruRay player on my TV. No English anywhere ... supplier deny's my comments. "EnglishVersion" nonsense. I took every option offered before playing on my TV .

I should think everyone would enjoy this film. I believe any artist who watches it also will see its genius. It gave great insight into the spirits of both the male and female lead characters in the story, and illustrated the pain and joy of being an artist. AbstractCowboy

This film is not only an exceptional work of art on all levels, it is a Work of pure Genius,capturing the Soul of Beethoven. Ed Harris is perfect, as is Diane Kruger, and the director,A Holland, is absolutely outstanding.

Note: " This "Copying Beethoven" DVD Will NOT PLAY in USA due to "REGION ERROR". This error message cannot be bypassed or hacked, and is true of all DVRs manufactured outside of USA, "Caveat Emptor". Let the Buyer beware. Shame on you Limeys in England for selling this to unaware Americans... Hope you had a good laugh and enjoyed my $13...

The opening scene is sad but overall the film is excellent. Great acting and actors. I recommend this movie, you will be delighted.

A reasonably diverting “what if?” fantasy concerning a young woman who becomes Beethoven's copyist and ends up assisting the composer with his work in his final years.Set in 1824, this is - historically - complete fiction, but is otherwise an entertaining film; the period detail is quite well observed, and Diane Kruger gives an impressive performance as Anna Holz, the budding composition student sent to the maestro as the best copyist available. She is the central character, even though Ed Harris is vigorously promoted by the sales blurb for his portrayal of Beethoven.The cinematography is beautifully shot and there is some quite dynamic imagery and cross-cutting, but the overall storyline is rather weak and derivative; there are a number of direct lifts from “Amadeus” - the most obvious being the dictation scene when Beethoven is lying ill in bed – actually entirely improbable, given his particular working methods. The most effective episode is the concert premiere of the 9th Symphony; inspiring, if not entirely truthful.It isn't a bad film, but it isn't historical fact and is a long way behind “Immortal Beloved” as a serious biographical treatment of the composer.Approach it as a piece of lightweight, historical fiction and it will entertain; otherwise its just another piece of cinematic fluff based on a famous artist most people other than fans know little about beyond a few tunes and clichéd caricatures.The DVD release has no subtitles and has only a 9 minute making of documentary and a trailer by way of extras.3 ½ stars.

So disappointing. Being a great admirer of Ed Harris and Beethoven, and looking forward to this, it was worse than one of those dreadful ‘made for tv’ films. So amateurish and badly-thought out. What was the great Ed Harris thinking of? Ghastly inappropriate American accents and dialogue including ‘he mooned me’. If anyone is interested in this period of Beethoven’s life, I can highly recommend Gary Oldman and Isabella Rossellini in Immortal Beloved, a very classy film with superb acting

Good product and prompt delivery

Brilliant. Sensitively done, beautiful music and images.

PERFECT