Copying Beethoven (2006)

Copying Beethoven (2006)

2006-09-10 Germany, Hungary, United Kingdom, United States of America 104 Min. PG-13
6.4 167 votes

Overview

A fictionalised exploration of Beethoven's life in his final days working on his Ninth Symphony. It is 1824. Beethoven is racing to finish his new symphony. However, it has been years since his last success and he is plagued by deafness, loneliness and personal trauma. A copyist is urgently needed to help the composer. A fictional character is introduced in the form of a young conservatory student and aspiring composer named Anna Holtz. The mercurial Beethoven is skeptical that a woman might become involved in his masterpiece but slowly comes to trust in Anna's assistance and in the end becomes quite fond of her. By the time the piece is performed, her presence in his life is an absolute necessity. Her deep understanding of his work is such that she even corrects mistakes he has made, while her passionate personality opens a door into his private world.

Cast

Ed Harris is Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Diane Kruger is Anna Holtz
Anna Holtz
Matthew Goode is Martin Bauer
Martin Bauer
Phyllida Law is Mother Canisius
Mother Canisius
Ralph Riach is Wenzel Schlemmer
Wenzel Schlemmer
Angus Barnett is Krenski
Matyelok Gibbs is Old Woman
Karl Johnson is Stefan Holtz
Stefan Holtz
Joe Anderson is Karl van Beethoven
Karl van Beethoven