Copying Beethoven (2006)

  • PG-13
  • 11/08/2006 (US)
  • Drama
  • 1h 44m

Overview

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.

Agnieszka Holland

Director

Christopher Wilkinson

Screenplay

Stephen J. Rivele

Screenplay

Cast

Ed Harris's headshot

Ed Harris

Ludwig van Beethoven
Diane Kruger's headshot

Diane Kruger

Anna Holtz
Matthew Goode's headshot

Matthew Goode

Martin Bauer
Phyllida Law's headshot

Phyllida Law

Mother Canisius
Ralph Riach's headshot

Ralph Riach

Wenzel Schlemmer
Bill Stewart's headshot

Bill Stewart

Rudy
Angus Barnett's headshot

Angus Barnett

Krenski
Viktoria Dihen's headshot

Viktoria Dihen

Magda

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