Copying Beethoven

Starring: Diane Kruger, Ralph Riach, Matyelok Gibbs, Ed Harris, Bill Stewart
Director: Agnieszka Holland
Studio: MGM (Video & DVD)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD-Video, Subtitled, Widescreen, NTSC
Running Time: 104 minutes
DVD Release: April 3rd 2007

Buy DVD:

DVD Review

A 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

User Reviews

A Travesty for the Gullible - Rating: 2/5

Great unappreciated artists of the world, drop your drawers! It works every time, judging from the cornucopia of gaga reviews given to this awful movie. (1) I found the distortion and speculation in this film insulting. (2) Mr. Harris's portrayal of Beethoven was embarrassing to say the least. (3) The musical examples performed on camera in the drama itself (as opposed to in the background soundtrack) often had never been played in that context historically. And one of the pieces heard in the drama only existed in manuscript during Beethoven's lifetime. One ought to honor great artists, not smother them in the mundane!

One of the best ever - Rating: 5/5

Simply wonderful! I couldn't wait to get in my car and blast the 9th symphony as I drove a mountain pass road. It brought new meaning to the wonderful 9th.

If Only for the Music - Rating: 5/5

Ed Harris as Beethoven was phenominal, as even knowing it was him, I was hard pressed to see the actor beneath the unusually realistic portrayal. The story line offered a new twist on an often told biography, but the musical performances on that DVD were better than any I have heard of the pieces represented. I would purchase the film if only to hear the music!

Copying Beethoven by Barek Street - Rating: 3/5

Copying Beethoven
It's hard to imagine what a composer's personality is like after a few hundred years so. Unless we look at his music, analyze it and assume that he wrote to portray his emotions. As far as the historical accuracy of this film I am not quite sure if it is accurate. The relationship between a copyist and the composer himself seems possible. I can just imagine how crazy Beethoven can get. There were some terms that were used that I didn't think they used in the 19th Century, some of them were crude. But if someone were to watch it and not have any knowledge of Beethoven they might find it a cute film with not a whole lot of entertainment value, in my opinion. The whole story seemed like it just wanted to show that women didn't have any rights with the men. I guess someone could see it as that type of film. There were some redeeming factors like when Beethoven destroyed the bridge, I laughed a bit.
When Beethoven had the opportunity to critique the copyist's piece, he was completely insensitive and mocked her work. He didn't realize it at the time but it really hurt her. But it was obvious how much he changed from their relationship, before her he would have not cared and let them run away. But once he realized what he did he ran back to her and promptly apologized. At this point I was wondering what was the actual plot line because It didn't seem to follow a single line. Just a lot of little plot lines.
Beethoven spoke of himself as Gods messenger and Anna was his mouthpiece. His music was as if God was speaking to the people, telling them of his love for them, the gifts he has given them, and giving them hope in a world that speaks of hopelessness. I think the writer was trying to put s spiritual message in here but missed the target by a bit.

Fascinating character study - Rating: 4/5

Ed Harris did a wonderful job portraying the character of Beethoven. I found the story line to be accurate as much as we know about the man today. It made him very real to me, as a spiritual being - an artist creating with sound, and his love of the effect of sound. The movie was interesting and inspiring, all the way through.

Though it was not thought provoking, the movie had a deeper spiritual aspect that cleared up misconceptions I had about Beethoven, allowing me to enjoy Beethoven's works with enriched understanding of the man himself.