Beethoven

1936

1h 56m

Biography

List

71%

Tomatometer

7 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.

Frank S. Nugent

New York Times

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.

Rated: 2.5/5

Jul 8, 2006

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TV Guide

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.

Rated: 3.5/4

Nov 15, 2007

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Fernando F. Croce

CinePassion

Easily the best of Gance's talkies, the film's creative lan scarcely wavers even at its most leadenly dramatic.

Nov 15, 2007

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

Fascinating biopic on the 19th-century Ludwig van Beethoven.

Rated: B+

Apr 28, 2006

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Michael Szymanski

International Press Academy

Rated: 2/5

Oct 6, 2005

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Ken Hanke

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

By turns clunky, corny and downright brilliant, Abel Gance's 1936 biopic on Ludwig Van Beethoven is never less than fascinating

Rated: 4/5

Sep 8, 2005

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Audience Member

The music is there. Love the way each music is presented. Everything else seems too weak for one to enjoy it too much.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

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Audience Member

Ground-breaking filmmaking documenting the agony of genius and the trials of creativity. Shame about the music though!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/12/23

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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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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