The Devil's Violinist

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The Devil's Violinist

R

2015

2h 2m

Drama

History

Biography

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

31%

Tomatometer

13 Reviews

45%

Popcornmeter

250+ Ratings

In 1830 London, famous Italian violinist, composer and womanizer Niccolò Paganini (David Garrett) woos his host's daughter, thereby angering the man (Jared Harris) who succeeded in bringing him to England.

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Simon Abrams

RogerEbert.com

Beautiful and thoughtful.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 30, 2015

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Sheri Linden

Los Angeles Times

Though his dramatic performance is somewhat too mild, classical-pop violinist David Garrett brings an electrifying musical authenticity to the lead role in "The Devil's Violinist."

Jan 29, 2015

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Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

Even if, like me, you're a sucker for men with tossable hair and precision eyeliner, you can't help noticing that "The Devil's Violinist" is hysterical - and possibly historical - hooey.

Jan 29, 2015

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Joe Bendel

Epoch Times

Violin prodigy and classical crossover artist David Garrett can certainly play. Acting is a little iffier.

Rated: 3/5

May 22, 2016

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John Noonan

FILMINK (Australia)

Potentially there is a portrait of the artist in crisis buried beneath all the histrionics and parables. As it is, The Devil's Violinist is simply tone deaf.

May 22, 2015

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Frank Swietek

One Guy's Opinion

Florid, hysterical (though far from historical) pseudo-biographical movie about the famous violinist [Paganini].

Rated: D+

Feb 8, 2015

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Benjamin E

I really enjoyed this movie. I’m into history and After hearing niccolò paganini background story on YouTube and him supposedly “selling his soul to the devil” made it thrilling and kinda scary. Makes me wonder a lot about the music industry. Overall it was a good movie and I would definitely watch it again.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

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Audience Member

I liked it, its a fun movie that represents well how Paganini was a 19th century rockstar. Of course its not completly accurate but who cares? It never claimed to be. But I will say that it leaves a bittersweet feeling after.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/19/24

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D W

If you are watching for the virtuoso playing of David Garrett. You will be entertained. If you are expecting a well executed movie... You will be disappointed. Garrett's acting is rough, but the story telling and directing are the real letdowns. There isn't any real development of the characters. There's no transparency of why he suddenly falls for the chambermaid. Its a shame that there wasn't more of an attempt to track Paganini's life rather than just capture his final few years.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/09/23

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Audience Member

Ludicrous enough to regret it's a movie, and therefore is "performed" on the screens: Better just listen to the amazing music scores! Above all is better Mr. Garret gets back to the theatres' stages to play his violins...

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Message: classical artists were just like rock stars. Only Amadeus made this point with more intrigue, curiosity and complexity than this movie could even imagine. The devil motif is somehow both too veiled and too blunt, wasting an unmotivated Jared Harris, who all but twirls his own mustache. The musical performances are quite cool, but far too rare; if you're gonna hire a real violinist, maybe ask him to do more playing and less dramatic emoting.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

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Audience Member

spellbinding, very charismatic David Garrett played the part of Paganini from his soul.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

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Bernard Rose

Director

David Garrett

Niccolò Paganini

Jared Harris

Urbani

Joely Richardson

Ethel Langham

Christian McKay

John Watson

Veronica Ferres

Elizabeth Wells

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Synopsis

In 1830 London, famous Italian violinist, composer and womanizer Niccolò Paganini (David Garrett) woos his host's daughter, thereby angering the man (Jared Harris) who succeeded in bringing him to England.

Director: Bernard Rose
Producer: Christian Angermayer, Gabriela Bacher, Veronica Ferres, Rosilyn Heller
Screenwriter: Bernard Rose
Distributor: Freestyle Releasing
Production Co: Dor Film Produktionsgesellschaft GmbH, Construction Film, Summerstorm Entertainment
Rating: R (Some Strong Sexuality/Nudity|Drug Use)
Genre: Drama, History, Biography
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jan 30, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 26, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $8.0K
Runtime: 2h 2m

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