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Beethoven

Play trailer Beethoven 1936 1h 56m Biography Play Trailer Watchlist
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83% Tomatometer 6 Reviews 75% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Helmed by ambitious French filmmaker Abel Gance, this biographical drama depicts the life of legendary German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (Harry Baur). While the movie touches on Beethoven's numerous love interests, it also focuses on various other personal struggles, particularly with the creative process and, most notably, his progressive hearing loss. Filmed in the 1930s during the advent of sound in cinema, Gance's biopic is especially notable for its intriguing use of music.

Critics Reviews

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Frank S. Nugent New York Times 07/08/2006
2.5/5
t upsets me just the same to see the musical cart hitched before the cinema horse and then be constrained to admit it was probably for the best. Go to Full Review TV Guide 11/15/2007
3.5/4
Abel Gance's film biography of one of the world's greatest composers focuses on what Gance saw to be his only true loves -- music and Holt. Go to Full Review Fernando F. Croce CinePassion 11/15/2007
Easily the best of Gance's talkies, the film's creative lan scarcely wavers even at its most leadenly dramatic. Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 04/28/2006
B+
Fascinating biopic on the 19th-century Ludwig van Beethoven. Go to Full Review Ken Hanke Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC) 09/08/2005
4/5
By turns clunky, corny and downright brilliant, Abel Gance's 1936 biopic on Ludwig Van Beethoven is never less than fascinating Go to Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 07/01/2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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07/23/2009 The music is there. Love the way each music is presented. Everything else seems too weak for one to enjoy it too much. See more 10/25/2007 Ground-breaking filmmaking documenting the agony of genius and the trials of creativity. Shame about the music though! See more 07/16/2007 This movie by Abel Gance has obvious imperfections, but that doesn't stop it from being an epic journey. Harry Baur makes for an unconvential lead, but that only adds to the allure. See more Read all reviews
Beethoven

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Cast & Crew

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Abel Gance

Director

Harry Baur

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Annie Ducaux

Therese of Brunswick

Jany Holt

Juliette Guicciardi

Pauley

Schuppanzigh

Jean Debucourt

Count Robert Gallenberg
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Beethoven

Beethoven (1936) Beethoven (1936) Beethoven (1936) Beethoven (1936) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Helmed by ambitious French filmmaker Abel Gance, this biographical drama depicts the life of legendary German composer Ludwig van Beethoven (Harry Baur). While the movie touches on Beethoven's numerous love interests, it also focuses on various other personal struggles, particularly with the creative process and, most notably, his progressive hearing loss. Filmed in the 1930s during the advent of sound in cinema, Gance's biopic is especially notable for its intriguing use of music.
Director
Abel Gance
Producer
Abel Gance
Genre
Biography
Original Language
Canadian French
Runtime
1h 56m