Expected more

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

This story has more twists and turns than a second-rate soap opera.

I have always thought how amazing it would have been to have attended the first playing of a Mozart composition, a Beethoven symphony or, perhaps, a Chopin sonata--to hear it with fresh ears within the context of its time. What a privilege!"Eroica" transports the viewer to the first performance of Beethoven's "Eroica", which was a tribute to Napoleon. In attendance are a handful of lucky music lovers and the staff who attend the home of Prince Lobkowitz (Jack Davenport), Beethoven's host and benefactor. The audience includes some knowledgeable listeners, some friends of Beethoven, and some neophyte ears.The direction is very intimate, allowing the camera to move around the salon as freely as the listeners. It rests on faces to register their dismay, surprise, confusion or elation. This new symphony defies conventions and, understandably, is not easily absorbed. The film poses some questions. "Can music exist independently of politics?" The answer appears to be no, but in the end, Beethoven's symphony manages to honor its true inspiration, despite political changes, thus transcending politics. "What is genius?" An insightful deviation from norms?The music reflects Beethoven's essence. It is romantic, moody, urgent, brooding, tempestuous. Beethoven, with his tragic life view, is a dark visage. He is a tool perfect for one thing--the expression of that artistic genius. Ian Hart certainly looks as we expect Beethoven to look, and he really seems to own the music as only its creator could.One latecomer to the concert is Josef Haydn (Frank Finlay), representing the old guard. He recognizes, perhaps sadly, the revolution inherent in what he hears.How wonderful to enjoy Beethoven's Third through such an immersive experience. Music lovers should find this film captivating.

I stumbled across this film being played on television. I figured that the TV guide had misspelled "Erotica", but as it turns out this is very much a G-Rated picture. It's almost a biopic, a bit more than a lengthy music video. It's an afternoon in the life of Ludwig von Beethoven, set to the music of his third symphony.The events of Beethoven's life seem compressed and shoveled into the 90 minutes of the film. We see how he deals with large issues like Napeoleonic politics, patronage, love, and hearing loss, as well as smaller issues like arranging music and the most efficient means of belittling his assistant.What I found fascinating was being able to see how the characters of the period responded to the music as it was being played. I have a distant knowledge of Beethoven's works, and while they are certainly powerful and turbulent, I lack the context of the music of the era. Seeing the patrons react to various passages of the music (which to my untrained ear just sounds pretty) and hearing them comment on the work as it progressed was for me highly illuminating.What a thrill it would be to be able to walk around an orchestra as it plays! That would be the ultimate in surround sound! I was jealous of the characters as they mingled around the players, who from what I can tell were using period-correct instruments.

A perfect marriage of music and visuals that is simply superb in every way. My compliments to the well orchestrated direction and precise editing that enabled the music to flow through the emotions of the characters. The performances were well underplayed by minimal dialogue and the perfect facial reactions allowed the viewer to gain an insight into each character's individual feelings to the musical piece. All this aided by the very clever and tight structural screenplay. To top it all of, the photography and free flowing camera movements perfectly captured the raw emotions of this unique musical piece by Master Beethoven. All this in a lavish setting, reminiscent of Kubrick's Barry Lyndon. BRAVO!

First of all, the performance of the symphony is terrific and beautifully recorded in 5.1 Dolby. The movie achieves a minor miracle in conveying how NEW and downright shocking this greatest of Beethoven's symphonies was. It also presents a believable and sympathetic view of his personality, passions, and temper.The movie is very good looking and fun from start to finish. The appearance of Haydn and his utterances about the new symphony are perfect, according to what we know about his personality.My favorites for this work have been Klemperer on EMI and Hogwood on Archiv, but I now prefer this performance over them all (including Bruno Walter's).Easily the best movie about Beethoven that I have seen.