Immortal Beloved

1994

Immortal Beloved

Critics Consensus

No consensus yet.

55%

TOMATOMETER

Total Count: 55

87%

Audience Score

User Ratings: 20,715

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Movie Info

This biography of Ludwig von Beethoven (played here by Gary Oldman) builds its narrative around an actual letter found after his death, addressed only to the composer's "immortal beloved." The responsibility of discovering this mysterious person's identity falls to Beethoven's friend and secretary (Jeroen Krabbé), who sets out on an investigation that soon becomes an exploration of the composer's life. Through recollections and scattered hints, we receive glimpses of Beethoven's relationships with women, particularly his close interaction with a pair of very different Countesses. The film also pays prominent attention to the composer's oddly obsessive relationship with the young nephew whom he attempted to mold in his own image, and Beethoven's eventual hearing loss and descent into emotional instability.
  • Rating:
    R
  • Genre:
    Drama, Romance
  • Directed By:
    Bernard Rose
  • Written By:
    Bernard Rose
  • In Theaters:
     wide
  • On Disc/Streaming:
  • Runtime:
  • Studio:
    Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

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Cast

Gary Oldman
as Ludwig van Beethoven
Jeroen Krabbé
as Anton Felix Schindler
Isabella Rossellini
as Anna Marie Erdody
Johanna ter Steege
as Johanna Reiss
Marco Hofschneider
as Karl van Beethoven
Miriam Margolyes
as Nanette Streicher
Barry Humphries
as Clemens Metternich
Valeria Golino
as Giulietta Guicciardi
Liugi DiBerti
as Franz Josef Guicciardi
Matthew North
as Young Karl van Beethoven
Leo Faulkner
as Young Ludwig Van Beethoven
Gerard Horan
as Nikolaus Johann van Beethoven
Luigi Diberti
as Franz Josef Guicciardi
Christopher Fulford
as Casper Anton Karl Van Beethoven
Alexandra Pigg
as Therese Obermayer
Claudia Solti
as Theresa von Brunsvik
Michael Culkin
as Jakob Hotscevar
Donal Gibson
as Karl Holz
Tomás Hanák
as Jacob Raicz
Geno Lechner
as Josephine von Brunswick
Petr Pospichal
as Thin Man
Rory Edwards
as Wenzel Robert von Gallenberg
Hannes Flaschberger
as Joseph Deym
Fintan McKeown
as Johann Van Beethoven
Everton Nelson
as George Bridgtower
Sandra Voe
as Marie Frolich
Bernard Rose
as Elector Max Friedrich
Jindra Petrakova
as Lilo Braun
Marek Vasut
as Custody Policeman
Hugo Kaminsky
as Magistrate
Staislav Behal
as Ignaz Schuppanzigh
Arnostka Mohelska
as Suzanna Guicciardi
Stepan Hlatky
as Zoltan
Anna Lovitt
as Fritzi Erdody
Ruby Rose
as Mimi Erdody
Johan 'Josef' Kolinsky
as August Erdody
Jan Kuzelka
as Country Policeman
Barbora Srncova
as Erdody Servant
Bruce Davey
as Artillery Captain
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News & Interviews for Immortal Beloved

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Critic Reviews for Immortal Beloved

All Critics (55) | Top Critics (14)

View All Critic Reviews (55)

Audience Reviews for Immortal Beloved

  • Jan 29, 2012
    Gary Oldman is absolutely phenomenal here as Ludwig van Beethoven but the supporting cast is a bit overacted or sometimes wooden and fake. The film itself is a little confusing and slow but it's easy to forget that when you're wrapped up in the mystery, and when watching Oldman give a tour de force performance, and listening to the magnificent music of Beethoven.
    Raymond W Super Reviewer
  • Aug 19, 2011
    Immortal Beloved is an incredible biopic about one of the most famed composers who ever lived. Gary Oldman is the perfect choice to play composer Ludwig Van Beethoven. He brought such charisma to his performance that it's a shame he didn't win an Oscar. I thought he was excellent in the role. Immortal Beloved is a well crafted picture that focuses on the life of Beethoven, and with Gary Oldman's incredible performance, it adds so much to this already impressive film. Whenever a filmmaker decides to tells an artists story on film, it can be either bad or goo. But like Amadeus before it, Immortal Beloved has the distinction of being an incredible and memorable film about another famous composer. The film is different than Amadeus, but it still manages to be just as grand as that film was. Because after all, Beethoven wasn't a forgettable person. Director Bernard Rose did a fine job at bringing Beethoven's life to the screen, and with this cast; he's able to convey a near flawless piece of cinema to the screen. Immortal Beloved is a beautifully acted and told film that has a wonderful story. This is a film for people who admire Beethoven and for Classical music fans everywhere. As of yet, this is the best biopic on Beethoven's life that I have seen, and with Gary Oldman in the lead role, it will be very hard to find someone to outdo his performance. A truly engaging picture.
    Alex r Super Reviewer
  • Sep 24, 2010
    I liked Amadeus better, but Mozart was more of a character. Oldman, once again, did a hell of a job.
    Sean G Super Reviewer
  • Jan 06, 2009
    I enjoyed this one immensely Gary Oldman has such depth and range that he disappears into his characters. It doesn't matter if he's playing Count Dracula or Sid Vicious or Ludwig Van Beethoven, I'm never consciously aware that I'm watching an imitation. He's just that good.
    Randy T Super Reviewer
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