Copying Beethoven (2006)

A fictionalized account of the last year of Beethoven's life.

Director:

Agnieszka Holland

Writers:

Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson

Stars:

Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Matthew Goode

2 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Diane Kruger	...	Anna Holtz
Ralph Riach	...	Wenzel Schlemmer
Matyelok Gibbs	...	Old Woman
Ed Harris	...	Ludwig van Beethoven
Bill Stewart	...	Rudy
Angus Barnett	...	Krenski
Viktoria Dihen	...	Magda
Phyllida Law	...	Mother Canisius
Matthew Goode	...	Martin Bauer
Gábor Bohus	...	Schuppanzigh
Joe Anderson	...	Karl van Beethoven
David Kennedy	...	Neighbor
Nicholas Jones	...	Archduke Rudolph
László Áron	...	Judge
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Márta Hainfart	...	Soloist (Soprano)

Storyline

Vienna, 1824. In the days before the first performance of the Ninth Symphony, Beethoven needs help with copying out the charts, so a promising student of composition, Anna Holtz, 23, is sent to assist him. She not only aids the transcription of the notes, she provides guidance from the orchestra pit as Beethoven conducts the work's debut. During the next two years, the final ones of Beethoven's life, Anna provides assistance to the deaf, temperamental, ailing man. In return, he tutors her in composition and explains to her the ideas and principles of Romanticism. He tries to speak for God.

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Plot Keywords:

music student | music copyist | musical composition | symphony | student | 

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Taglines:

He was the greatest composer of his time. One last performance would define his genius.

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexual elements

Details

Official Sites:

Myriad Pictures

Country:

USA Germany Hungary

Language:

English

Release Date:

8 March 2007 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

L'élève de Beethoven

Filming Locations:

Budapest, Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$11,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$70,460, 12 November 2006, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$352,786, 31 December 2006

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sidney Kimmel Entertainment,Myriad Pictures,VIP 2 Medienfonds

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was originally written with Anthony Hopkins in mind, for the role of Ludwig van Beethoven.

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Goofs

The movie is set in 1824 during the composition of Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Throughout the movie Beethoven is shown to be hard of hearing but quite capable of understanding people who speak loudly. In reality, Beethoven had totally lost his hearing seven years earlier (1817). The 9th Symphony was composed while he was completely deaf.

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Quotes

Ludwig van Beethoven: The vibrations on the air are the breath of God speaking to man's soul. Music is the language of God. We musicians are as close to God as man can be. We hear his voice, we read his lips, we give birth to the children of God, who sing his praise. That's what musicians are.

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Soundtracks

Piano Sonata No. 5 in C minor Op. 10
Written by Ludwig van Beethoven
Performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy
Courtesy of Decca Music Group Limited, part of Universal Music Group International

User Reviews

I loved the film -- Read Maynard Solomon if you want historical accuracy

I enjoyed "Copying Beethoven" for different reasons than I enjoyed "Eroica" (the Ninth was the focus of practically every moment) and "Immortal Beloved" (the conflict between the composer's passion for creating music and his human need to be connected to others). For me, the focus of "Copying Beethoven" combined these two themes into a much more personal one, and dramatized the Maestro's need to communicate a comprehensive knowledge -- intellectual, emotional, spiritual -- of his art to this young copyist who was so intimate with his work. For if not her, than who?

While the musical performances were truncated out of necessity -- the success of the film, "Eroica", is due primarily to the performance of the Third Symphony in its entirety -- the actors' performances in "Copying Beethoven" reveal aspects of Beethoven not explored in the other two films. Beethoven is always portrayed as a "cranky genius", but Harris' Beethoven is so human -- impulsive and brutish, then reflective and apologetic, then insensitive and crude, then regretful and humble -- someone trying not to make the same mistakes over again. The relation he develops with the copyist realistically (and thankfully) does not influence his music, but it does cause his character to focus on his humanity, and I so enjoyed hearing this Beethoven talk about things like music, musicians, family, and God.

A word about the other performances. Kruger was radiant. The conflict between her respect for the artist and repulsion at his cruelty was wonderfully mixed with her character's own strengths, ambitions, and needs. The supporting characters were also splendid with hilarious and touching moments. The film is full of delightful words and gestures. Whether you have read volumes of history on Beethoven or are only passingly familiar with the Fifth, I recommend you see this lovely film about the humanity that lived within the genius who infused music with life.