Janice Galassi

This film has many moving scenes and dialogue. However, while Beethoven did need people to conduct ( usually behind him), since he could not hear the orchestra, no woman did so- certainly not for the premier of the Ninth Symphony. The scene where he has to be turned to see the cheering crowd, never fails to Move one. The fact that he produced this magnificent work while only hearing it in his head is a true and astounding mark Of his genius. I was impressed, however, by one detail. Ed Harris ( who played Beethoven), has blue eyes. Beethoven had brown eyes. I was impressed that they had Harris wear brown contacts in the interest of being accurate. I loved the sets and costumes, and Harris’s impressive rendition of the eccentric genius.