Beethoven (2005) User Reviews

Why on earth did this series never catch on !!??

[steve_yates84 · 9/10 · 21 March 2007]

This series was made as a result of the BBC's hugely successful and popular series "The Genius of Mozart". Both series follow the same format, a cross between a drama and a documentary (docudrama), each series is made of three episodes of an hour each, and each is mixed with insightful pieces of narration by the popular conductor/composer/presenter Charles Hazlewood.

"The Genius of Mozart" was a big hit for the BBC, attracting masses of enthusiastic viewers of all walks of life. With this in mind you would think that a similar programme based on Beethoven would attract a similarly popular response. However this was not the case. This series was not viewed by a large audience, there have been no repeats or DVD releases and I was shocked to visit it's IMDb page to discover there were absolutely no user comments, (I write this now wondering if it will ever be read).

In brief, I remember watching this series and being absolutely blown away, It was so powerful I can still remember it in detail. In my opinion it is amongst the best work the BBC have ever produced and I am extremely saddened that very few people experienced the same joy I did from this series. I think "Beethoven" has become a lost gem and I will use the remainder of this user comment to argue my case.

The series was beautifully photographed and directed. The series was filled with a beautifully desaturated palette (with a prominent ochre for interior scenes) which gave a stark, imposing temperament. Along with this there were wonderful intersections with diffuses of aged yet colourful soft focus imagery, giving a romantic yet nostalgic feel, like a lost love. It was a breathtaking contrast of these romantic diffuses with desaturated scenes, to me it evoked Beethoven's isolation and difficulty to keep a grip on reality.

The story and dialogue was fantastically well written. It powerfully evoked the turmoil, isolation and despair of Beethoven. It was a highly accurate historical portrayal along with a caliber and sophistication of writing which seemed to transcend it's historical obligations giving a highly emotional, gritty and moving experience.

Along with the dramatised writing, the narration gave insightful knowledge and understanding which aided the enjoyment of the series.

The acting was fantastic. Primarily Paul Rhys as Beethoven, who gave a performance filled subtlety, sadness, passion and isolation.

I think overall this series was of allot better quality than "The Genius of Mozart". It was evocative, compelling and passionate. It saddens me to think this series will be lost and never remembered.

Great Beethoven Drama

[myreality_7 · 9/10 · 4 June 2007]

I personally was very moved by these Beethoven series and would love to get it on DVD with Dutch subtitles so that my parents and grandparents can watch it.

I saw the first two parts on television and missed the final 3rd part, which really bothered me. I'm glad I finally did find a way to see it, but would love to purchase it. I find it really amazing that such a good documentary with such good actors is not released on DVD while a lot of much lesser series and movies ARE released on DVD. If it ever does gets to be released, somebody please send me an email! Yes it's a very dramatic documentary indeed. But is this really surprising when you listen to Beethoven's work? I really think the makers and the actors did a wonderful job. Of course I don't know if Beethoven really was behaving like he does in the series, but I can very well imagine that he did behave like that when listening to his music and imagine what it must be like to go deaf being a musician. I think the emphasis on his frustrations in the series were totally justified in order to understand Beethoven as a person. When you understand him as a person, you might also understand his music better and why he composed the way he did. All these things are explained by Charles Hazelwood, so frankly, I don't understand how anybody could be disappointed by a great inside look into the live of the great Beethoven.

Could be better

[ofizerof · 8/10 · 7 July 2020]

I didn't understand that why the movie shows Beethoven as having leprosy. I think that even IMDB didn't understand the same thing and put only Karl's photos as photos of the movie. Beside that there was a lot of good comments about Beethoven's music at the movie.

Beautiful in every meaning of the word!

[TheLittleSongbird · 10/10 · 27 August 2009]

This series about the life of the extraordinary composer Ludwig Van Beethoven was just beautiful, not to mention informative. Charles Hazelwood taught me a lot about the composer, and consequently along with Eroica from two years previous, this was such a compelling watch. The series is exquisitely filmed, and a fantastic script helped enormously. The music featured was a joy, particularly the phenomenal Ode To Joy from the Choral Symphony. While long, The Choral Symphony is one of those works that draws you right in, from the sheer power of the orchestration alone. The dramatisations were very fine, but what made the series was Beethoven himself, brought to life by an outstanding Paul Rhys, who captured Beethoven's problems like his deafness and alcoholism to perfection. All in all, a truly wonderful series. 10/10 Bethany Cox

Wonderful Portrayal

[TudorLady · 10/10 · 20 January 2010]

As someone who is passionate about Beethoven's music, I really enjoyed this drama documentary about his turbulent life. I hope that the BBC will realise what a gem it is and repeat it. I thought that Paul Rhys portrayed the Maestro very well and it was very poignant to see Beethoven's frustration and near-despair at his increasing deafness. He could be a difficult man but also very warm and giving. There is so much feeling in Beethoven's music, his very self in fact. When you see the life he had, you understand why. I liked the way that the titles of the main pieces of music were displayed. I have a large Beethoven collection but it is by no means complete and some of the pieces were new to me. PLEASE BBC put this on again.

Excellent series!

[addiwei · 10/10 · 29 April 2007]

As the previous reviewer questioned.."Why did this series not catch on?" "Beethoven" or "Genius of Beethoven" is a very compelling account of Beethoven's life, legend, love, and most of all music. Probably the most accurate portrayal of the master's life, albeit Paul Rhys doesn't look exactly like Beethoven (according to most descriptions), but the acting was very good.

After watching the series, I've come to realize it's challenging to understand any piece completely, unless you understand the context in which it was written. This movie teaches and explains the awesome intricacies of each major piece of Beethoven's works and allows you to experience the music from the most accurate perspective.

Only small criticism I can point out is that there are some musical scenes that are too drawn out. e.g. if you really don't care about Beethoven's opera, the entire section that describes his opera in detail - I fell asleep during.

Beethoven's becoming a "lost gem", but probably just the entire genre of classical music being slowly forgotten by the Britney Spears & Justin Timberlake admiring public.

I will never listen to Beethoven the same after watching this series

[ddave1952-609-939427 · 10/10 · 18 September 2013]

I just watched the first 2 episodes of this wonderful series on Beethoven and am looking forward to watching the last episode. I have always loved Beethoven's music, especially his orchestral works. But this series makes me appreciate his music even more. The inner struggle he went through in life is portrayed in his music. The narrator, composer Charles Hazlewood, explains specific works in detail and how its essence was a reflection on his struggles during life. Paul Rhys, as Beethoven, portrays brilliantly the many moods of this musical genius. A fantastic acting performance. I do like that it's part documentary and part drama. I even like the mock interviews he does with the people involved in his life. The quality of this series make a compelling and must see for those who love classical music and especially Beethoven. After watching this series, I still haven't seen the 3rd installment yet, I will never hear a Beethoven composition without thinking what was going on in his life at that time. This documentary is a masterpiece.

Disappointing

[mcgreig · 4/10 · 7 April 2007]

I expected this to be really good due to the high rating given it by others. However, both my wife and I found this very disappointing. We felt the mix of drama and documentary didn't work very well. The drama was rarely believable and was so long-winded that it left very little time to discuss the music. How many times, and for how long do we need to see Beethoven looking grumpy or shouting? I also never found Paul Rhys believable. I've seen other Charles Hazelwood documentaries and they seemed to be much more informative. At the end, I felt that I had learnt very little.

Immortal Beloved may have been inaccurate, but it seemed to communicate the character and passion of Beethoven much better.