Copying Beethoven
Copying Beethoven (2006)

Starring Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Matthew Goode
Directed by Agnieszka Holland
A fictionalised exploration of Beethoven's life in his final days working on his Ninth Symphony. It is 1824. Beethoven is racing to finish his new symphony. However, it has been years since his last success and he is plagued by deafness, loneliness and personal trauma. A copyist is urgently needed to help the composer. A fictional character is introduced in the form of a young conservatory student and aspiring composer named Anna Holtz. The mercurial Beethoven is skeptical that a woman might become involved in his masterpiece but slowly comes to trust in Anna's assistance and in the end becomes quite fond of her. By the time the piece is performed, her presence in his life is an absolute necessity. Her deep understanding of his work is such that she even corrects mistakes he has made, while her passionate personality opens a door into his private world.

Runtime: 104 min.     Rating: 6.4     DVD
Languages: Deutsch,English
Countries: Germany,United States of America
Genres: Drama
Keywords: composer,classical music,woman director,fictional biography,19th century
Cast
   Ludwig van Beethoven
   Anna Holtz
   Martin Bauer
   Mother Canisius
   Wenzel Schlemmer
   Rudy
   Krenski
   Magda
   Old Woman
   Stefan Holtz