The life and death of the legendary Ludwig van Beethoven. Besides all the work he is known for, the composer once wrote a famous love letter to a nameless beloved, and the movie tries to ...
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Title: Immortal Beloved (1994)
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1 nomination.
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The life and death of the legendary Ludwig van Beethoven. Besides all the work he is known for, the composer once wrote a famous love letter to a nameless beloved, and the movie tries to find out who this beloved was--not easy, as Beethoven has had many women in his life. Written by Smoothhoney1265
Plot Keywords:
based on real person | biograph | choral | choral music | choral recitative |Taglines:
Although he was deaf, he made music the way he made love. See more »Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
Rated R for scenes of violence and sexuality | See all certifications »Parents Guide:
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Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Choeurs et Orchestre National de Lyon
Conducted by Serge Baudo
Courtesy of Harmonia Mundi
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Did You Know?
Trivia
The weather was so hot while filming the funeral scene that some extras fainted. See more »Goofs
When the Countess Erdödy's home is hit, during Napoleon's bombing of Vienna, her son is thrown by the blast before it actually hits. See more »Quotes
Ludwig van Beethoven: [completely deaf, he is watching musicians perform his "Kreutzer" violin sonata] I can't hear them, but I know that they are making a hash of it.See more »
Soundtracks
Christus am Ölberg, Oratorio, Op. 85Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Choeurs et Orchestre National de Lyon
Conducted by Serge Baudo
Courtesy of Harmonia Mundi
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Release Date:
27 January 1995 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Immortal Beloved See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$120,108, 18 December 1994Gross USA:
$9,914,409Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$9,914,409Company Credits
Production Co:
Icon Entertainment International, Icon Productions, Majestic Films International See more »
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Bernard Rose's superior film about the life of Ludwig van Beethoven takes as its central premise a mention in the composer's will of an 'immortal beloved', identity unknown. So far, so intriguing.
With the casting of versatile British actor Gary Oldman as Beethoven, there was potential for a lot of depth of character (which we get, as the passage of time convinces throughout as Beethoven moves from skirt-chasing youth to crabby and deaf old age).
Also impressive within the cast are Jeroen Krabbé as Schindler, Johanna ter Steege as Johanna Reiss, and Isabella Rossellini as Anna Marie Erdody. What could have been a stodgy film is buoyed up greatly by their presence, but it is the central performance of Oldman which counts (he really is a peerless performer of real-life characters - Sid Vicious, Joe Orton, Lee Harvey Oswald ...).
My only gripe would be that the music is sometimes given short shrift, but when it is there, it is wonderful. You get the emotional impact in the snatches of sonatas, symphonies and concertos you hear - but it would have been nice to acknowledge that the film was about a creative artist and musician and let us hear a bit more of his work!