Beethoven (1992)

A slobbering St. Bernard becomes the center of attention for a loving family, but must contend with a dog-napping veterinarian and his henchmen.

Director:

Brian Levant

Writers:

John Hughes (as Edmond Dantès), Amy Holden Jones

Stars:

Charles Grodin, Bonnie Hunt, Dean Jones

1 win & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charles Grodin	...	George Newton
Bonnie Hunt	...	Alice Newton
Dean Jones	...	Dr. Varnick
Nicholle Tom	...	Ryce
Christopher Castile	...	Ted
Sarah Rose Karr	...	Emily
Oliver Platt	...	Harvey
Stanley Tucci	...	Vernon
David Duchovny	...	Brad
Patricia Heaton	...	Brie
Laurel Cronin	...	Devonia Peet
O-Lan Jones	...	Biker Woman
Nancy Fish	...	Miss Grundel
Craig Pinkard	...	Homeless Man
Robi Davidson	...	Mark

Storyline

The Newton family live in their comfortable home, but there seems to something missing. This "hole" is filled by a small puppy, who walks into their home and their lives. Beethoven, as he is named, grows into a giant of a dog... a St Bernard. Doctor Varnick, the local vet has a secret and horrible sideline, which requires lots of dogs for experiments. Beethoven is on the bad doctor's list.

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Plot Keywords:

dog | animal | family relationships | dysfunctional family | animal actor | 

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Taglines:

He'll grow on you.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 April 1992 (USA)

Also Known As:

Ein Hund namens Beethoven

Filming Locations:

1405 Milan Avenue, South Pasadena, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$7,587,565, 5 April 1992, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$57,114,049

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$147,214,049

Company Credits

Production Co:

Universal Pictures, Northern Lights Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Writer Amy Holden Jones and Oliver Platt also worked together on Indecent Proposal (1993).

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Goofs

When George goes out to get the newspaper, the shadow of the house is only half-way across the lawn. But when he comes back seconds later, the shadow is all the way out on the sidewalk.

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Quotes

George Newton: We can't have a dog. We can't have a dog!
Alice Newton: Honey, you can't show a child a puppy and then take it away two minutes later.
George Newton: I didn't show a child a puppy. It's obviously lost. You occupy the kids, I'll run it down to the pound.
Alice Newton: Oh, no. No way. If the owner doesn't claim it, it'll be destroyed. I'm not going to live with that.
George Newton: If we keep it, the house will be destroyed!
Alice Newton: Honey, it's just a dog. Millions of people have dogs.
George Newton: Oh, no, not people like me! Dogs sniff, they lick, they chew, they drool, ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

As the end credits finish, a short scene plays of Beethoven standing on a rock, silhouetted against a sunset. He barks as the credits end.

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Connections

References A Clockwork Orange (1971)

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Soundtracks

Roll Over Beethoven
Performed by Paul Shaffer and The World's Most Dangerous Band
Written by Chuck Berry
Produced by Paul Shaffer

User Reviews

The Good & Bad Of 'Beethoven'

This was almost like an old-fashioned type of nice movie "the whole family will enjoy," as the stupid trailers used to always say. They aren't always right about that, but they are with this one.

BAD NEWS - The "bad news" was (a) the silly ending, (b) some silly-stupid scenes earlier in which what you saw could never really happen, and (c) the three kids were annoying and bossy at times.

GOOD NEWS - The "good news" is, of course, "Beethoven," the lovable Saint Bernard who is a lot of fun to watch, especially with all his facial expressions. Also, it's a very entertaining story and there is absolutely nothing offensive, language-wise, in here.

OVERALL - This was popular enough to spawn some sequels, none of which were close in caliber to this one. A good family film worth viewing, but mainly if you like big, lovable dogs.