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In Search of Beethoven

Play trailer Poster for In Search of Beethoven 2009 2h 19m Documentary Play Trailer Watchlist
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93% Tomatometer 41 Reviews 80% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
The life story of Beethoven with live musical performances.

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In Search of Beethoven

In Search of Beethoven

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Critics Consensus

With a wealth of insightful talking heads and deft musical performances, In Search of Beethoven is a thorough, thoughtful examination of the great composer's life and times.

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Critics Reviews

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Jeremy Eichler Boston Globe Tells the story of its subject in a clear, accessible, and gimmick-free manner while still preserving, or perhaps even cultivating, a core sense of wonder at the creative monuments he bequeathed to us all. Rated: 3/4 Jan 7, 2010 Full Review Joshua Kosman San Francisco Chronicle In Search of Beethoven trudges through the composer's life and works, pausing along the way for the usual smorgasbord of talking heads and performance clips. The results are shapeless, drab and mostly predictable. Rated: 1/4 Dec 17, 2009 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times With In Search of Beethoven, documentarian Phil Grabsky has created a splendid work that will be a revelation to the uninitiated and a joy to music lovers. Oct 30, 2009 Full Review J.M. Suarez PopMatters Where In Search of Beethoven excels is in the details. For all the grandness of Beethoven's music, the documentary makes a real effort to present Beethoven the man as fairly and unsentimentally as possible. Rated: 6/10 Sep 23, 2020 Full Review Leigh Paatsch Herald Sun (Australia) Dispensing with all the cliched claptrap and generalisations that inevitably plague movies like this, Grabsky successfully reassesses and revitalises the imposing reputation of his subject. Rated: 4/5 Sep 23, 2020 Full Review Don Groves sbs.com.au Illuminating bio of musical genius hits a few flat notes. Rated: 3/5 Dec 31, 2010 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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TafferCharles It's great, I wish it had more scenery to it, to make it more immersive, but great regardless. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/07/23 Full Review Audience Member Beethoven, pianist, composer to highest degree. The dear Ludwig insisted on loving a female of aristocracy - but he was not a social aristocrat, no marriage was possible. He as musician was in the heavens. His social and financial situations were difficult and earthbound. Beethoven strived to excel his musician peers, and his assured success provided him intense loneliness. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review larry f Beautifully executed and fascinating insights into the composer. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Gadshill Illuminative did not need to be a hardcore musicologist to appreciate Beethoven’s life and achievements. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/22/19 Full Review Audience Member "In Search of Beethoven" is a comprehensive look at the famed composer that sets the events of his life within the context of his music and not vice versa. Since it focuses on the compositions of Beethoven, little time is spent examining his childhood. Although I wanted more of the younger years, it makes sense within the context of what the movie is trying to accomplish and I appreciate that film wasn't any longer! 2 hours and 18 minutes was the perfect amount of time to get in depth with the life and music of Beethoven, but any more would have begun to feel tiresome. With over 60 live performances, this film brings the music to life as if we were concertgoers in the early 19th century. While it takes time to interview historians about Beethoven's life, it also interviews expert performers like Emanuel Ax to give a perspective on what it is like to tackle a Beethoven piano concerto or violin sonata. While non-musicians might find this documentary to be a bit dry, it is perfect for performers and appreciators of classical music. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member This film enlightens. The factual recount brings the human genius that lived, struggled, and succeeded in an effort to produce lasting beauty despite suffering. The film does an extraordinary homage to Beethoven, and grants exposure to his oeuvre in absolutely perfect doses. The virtuosos that know his art most intimately give the most unexpected insights into the the two dimensional wild haired bust we meet in third grade classrooms. The film enlightens by revealing a new scientific illustration of the man, as it enlightens the burden of everyman's struggle to make significant contributions despite insurmountable odds. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Read all reviews
In Search of Beethoven

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis The life story of Beethoven with live musical performances.
Director
Phil Grabsky
Producer
Phil Grabsky
Production Co
Seventh Art Productions
Genre
Documentary
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 22, 2016
Runtime
2h 19m
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