Immortal Beloved (1994)
Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline: The genius behind the music. The madness behind the man. The untold love story of Ludwig von Beethoven.

A Man Of Genius.
Women of Passion.
And The Mystery Of A Lifetime.
The Untold Story of Ludwig van Beethoven.

Gary Oldman, Jeroen Krabbe, Isabella Rossellini and Valeria Golino star in Immortal Beloved, a mesmerizing mystery based on the tumultuous real life of Ludwig van Beethoven. Oldman gives a tour de force performance as the passionate, volatile genius who inspired love and hatred in equal measure. Whether seducing regal followers or criticizing the ruling class, Beethoven made many enemies. But he also had one true love - the unnamed "Immortal Beloved" mentioned in an enigmatic letter discovered upon his death. The thrilling search for the identity of this mystery woman leads us into Beethoven's dark past, his hidden passions and, ultimately, into the unparalleled genius of his music.


Storyline: The life and death of the legendary Ludwig van Beethoven. Beside all the work he is known for, the composer once wrote a famous love letter to a nameless beloved and the movie tries to find out who this beloved was. Not easy as Beethoven has had many women in his life. Written by Smoothhoney1265

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Ben Williams, August 5, 2007 -- Let's get this right out of the way: I love films about tortured musicians. Be it Beethoven or Mozart or even the forgotten film regarding Mahler, I can't get enough of the enigma of musical genius and how it plays out in one's personality. So naturally, Immortal Beloved is high on my list as one of the few films of this type that manages to capture this enigma perfectly.

Immortal Beloved follows a series of events that takes place after the death of Ludwig von Beethoven (Gary Oldman). The film is told in a series of flashbacks as Beethoven's close friend Anton Schindler (Jeoren Krabbe) attempts to track down the intended recipient of a letter Beethoven addressed simply to his "Immortal Beloved." It seems that Beethoven had a secret lover throughout his life, and as his remaining family try to collect his fortune, his last will was that this "Immortal Beloved" receive the entirety of his estate. As we follow the flashbacks through Beethoven's life, we are shown a profile of a very unlikable man who did more to alienate his few friends rather than inspire their devotion. Despite this, there is a cadre of women whose lives have been changed forever by their relationships with Beethoven. It is only through their eyes that we see the elements of his personality that inspired their affection.

This is a magnificent film of great performances and inspired storytelling. I'm sure it plays fast and loose with historical fact, but anyone who can appreciate Beethoven's genius can surely find a fondness for this story. Gary Oldman portrays Beethoven with an aloof complexity; he leaves the viewer spellbound with a hunger for more about Beethoven's life. The supporting cast is equally impressive, with outstanding performances from Valeria Golino, Isabella Rossellini and Jeoren Krabbe. I can find no fault with Immortal Beloved as it tells an engrossing story through masterful performances and an amazing attention to period detail. Of course, the music of Beethoven is also profoundly moving, especially within the context of the film. There is a scene near the end of the film where we eavesdrop on Beethoven's thoughts during the debut performance of his Ninth Symphony. What follows is a fantastical shot of a young Beethoven basking in a cool pond on a starry night that ranks, for me, as one of the most beautiful sequences ever put to film. Simply amazing.

I find it hard to contain my enthusiasm for the Blu-ray version of Immortal Beloved. I've been a huge fan of the film for years and am thrilled to be able to experience it in my home in such outstanding quality. Both the audio and video are remarkable and really convey the theatrical experience that makes Immortal Beloved such a fascinating film to explore. Immortal Beloved is a film to own and to enjoy on multiple occasions as it reveals new depth upon each viewing. It would be a crime if I didn't give this film my highest recommendation.

[CSW] -5- A not-to-be-missed movie. Gary Oldman portrays Beethoven with all the warts, near-madness, rage and passion intact. Unlovable almost, except for the sympathy and compassion engendered by his deafness which humanizes him and manages to convey the anguish of a man who never heard most of his greatest works due to deafness, the most cruel fate for a composer. I have a tendency to want to get answers plot questions quickly but the pacing, music, and sub-plot made me relax and wait for the answer. All-in-all it is one of the best movies that left me so satisfied that I didn't feel I needed to see it again. Like his music it just stays with you.
[V5.0-A5.0] MPEG-4 AVC

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