MCM: Beethoven – Frock Flicks

Beethoven-Featured

On today’s installment of Man Candy Monday, we are looking at the various portrayals of German composer, Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827).

The Life of Beethoven (1927)

The Life of Beethoven (1927) — One of the earliest biopics about the composer was in 1927, produced in honor of the centennial of his death. Beethoven is played by Fritz Kortner.

Beethoven’s Great Love (1936)

The Life and Loves of Beethoven (1936) — Also titled The Life and Loves of Beethoven, this is the first film of what became something of a theme in all future biopics of the composer, to focus on the women he was romantically entangled with throughout his life. Beethoven is played by Harry Baur.

The Great Awakening (1941)

The Great Awakening (1941) — Also titled New Wine, this film actually about Franz Schubert, but Beethoven plays a central role in the plot. He’s portrayed by Albert Bassermann.

Eroica (1949)

Eroica (1949) — This biopic dramatizes the story behind Beethoven’s symphony written in honor of Napoleon — only for Beethoven to become disillusioned by Napoleon’s outsized ambitions and superficiality. Ewald Balser plays the composer.

Napoléon (1955)

Napoleon (1955) — Erich von Stroheim plays Beethoven in the section of the film dealing with Napoleon’s rift with the composer.

The Magnificent Rebel (1962)

The Magnificent Rebel (1962) — A two-part television show by The Wonderful World of Disney dealing with Beethoven’s life story. Karlheinz Böhm plays Beethoven.

Saturday Night Live (1975)

John Belushi as Beethoven — C’mon, as if I could leave this one out. John Belushi lives rent free in my brain as Beethoven. I tried to find a non-shitty version of the skit but the only one that isn’t awful is on Reddit, so…

Beethoven – Days in a Life (1976)

Beethoven -- Days in a Life (1976) — Donatas Banionis plays Beethoven in this film that focuses on the years 1813-1819, at the peak of his fame.

Beethoven’s Nephew (1985)

Beethoven's Nephew (1985) — Wolfgang Reichmann plays Beethoven in this very arty film about his relationship with his nephew, Karl (played by Dietmar Prinz).

Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989)

Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) — Arguably the definitive depiction of Ludwig van Beethoven … up until Gary Oldman came along. Clifford David plays the composer.

Beethoven Lives Upstairs (1992)

Beethoven Lives Upstairs (1992) — An adaptation of a popular children’s audio recording by Barbara Nichol, following the friendship between a young boy and Beethoven (played by Neil Munro) as the latter lives upstairs in the boy’s parents’ boarding house.

Immortal Beloved (1994)

Gary Oldman, Immortal Beloved (1994) — The greatest depiction of Ludwig van Beethoven on film, and I will die on that hill. Gary Oldman KILLS it.

Eroica (2003)

Eroica (2003) — An updated examination of the political forces behind Beethoven’s third symphony (“Eroica”). Ian Hart portrays the composer.

Beethoven (2005)

Beethoven (2005) — Paul Rhys plays Beethoven in this miniseries. I haven’t been able to find much about it online so I can’t comment on the quality of the storytelling, but I always enjoy Paul Rhys.

Copying Beethoven (2006)

Diane Kruger, Copying Beethoven (2006) — I wasn’t super thrilled by this film, but I thought Ed Harris did a surprisingly good job as the composer. Never would have thought to cast him this role in a million years.

Louis van Beethoven (2020)

Louis van Beethoven (2020) — Released on the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth. Tobias Moretti plays the composer.

Have you seen any of these films about Beethoven? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!

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Tags: 1770s 1780s 1810s adapted from books Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989) Copying Beethoven (2006) Ed Harris Eroica (2003) Gary Oldman inspired by a true story Ludwig van Beethoven men in wigs movies about musicians Napoleon (1955) TV

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