Rating: 
Summary: An interesting speculation movie
Review: Have you ever seen Amadeus? If you have, then you've basically seen the plot and style of this movie. This movie tries to re-create the life of Beethoven from his youth to his death and speculates on his love life, the "Immortal Beloved" in some of his writings.I don't want to give the plot secrets away, but you'll find the way that the pieces connect intriguing. It has you wondering for most of the film. And the director tries to weave together the music Beethoven creates with the events in his life, and the Beloved. To me, that was a bit of a stretch. One area the movie handles very well is the descent of Beethoven's mood and demeanor as he becomes increasingly deaf and frustrated. The only mistake (but you'll understand why they did it) that I know of is in handling the first performance of the 9th symphony. But it is forgivable. :-) Overall, this is a good movie, and a bit romantic. If you enjoy classical music you'll have an extra bit of enjoyment.
Rating: 
Summary: EXCELLENT - AWSOME!!
Review: Man, this movie was the best, one of the most passionate, suspense ever. I mean, I'm a big movie buff, but this was by far one of the best love stories I've ever seen ----and I don't really like love stories. I recommend this to everyone, male and female.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful film
Review: Unfortunately, period films are few and far between these days. On the bright side, there are some gems, such as this one here. It grabbed my attention because of two things: not only was it a period film, it was another film about one of my very favorite composers (the other, of course, being "Amadeus"). This film uses somewhat the same technique used in "Amadeus"; that is, it is told entirely in flashback and the composer (in this case, Beethoven) provides the basis for the plot. Again as in the other film, the composer's music also plays an important role. The director chose to use different pieces to illustrate the action, and it comes out quite beautifully.
The plot is intriguing as well. At the beginning, Beethoven dies and leaves a mysterious letter to his "Immortal Beloved". His last will states that all of his music and property shall go to this woman. His friend and former secretary, Schindler, takes it upon himself to interview three women who were most involved romantically with Beethoven to try and determine which of them is the unknown Beloved.
The film is based partly on fact. The ending, of course, is based on speculation. I liked the way they handled Beethoven's character. They made several points throughout showing how his deafness could have affected him. Seeing that made me feel a lot for him. One of the best scenes HAS to be where he plays the "Moonlight" Sonata--even though it's a movie, I think it's through this scene that you can realize how talented Beethoven was.
Rating:
Summary: They got Beethoven's spirit right!
Review: OK, this movie does take liberties with the facts and engages in quite a bit of historical conjecture however, they got the most important part about Beethoven right: his indefatigable spirit! This beautifully shot and acted film achieves something that is rare in musical bio-pics, that is, it manages to communicate why Beethoven has continued to inspire generations of music lovers. That he could write the transcendant glory that is the Ninth Symphony after what he had suffered through in his life is a marvel that is brought vividly to life by Gary Oldman and the writer and director of this film. Sure, it would have been better to get the straight poop on Beethoven's life but you just have to forgive a movie that is so beautifully well done and so rapturously uplifting. I urge you to see "Immortal Beloved" -even if you're not a Beethoven fan, it may just convert you.
Highly recommended
Rating: 
Summary: Deeply flawed, but has its moments
Review: Who was Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved"? In 1811, Beethoven fell deeply in love with Antonie Brentano, the wife of a friend. By 1812 the two were embroiled in a full-blown affair, and Antonie offered to leave her husband and four children for him. Scholars believe that it was to her that Beethoven wrote the famous "Immortal Beloved" letter, in which he begged her not to destroy her family, but at the same time to keep loving him. Antonie did not oblige; the relationship ended soon afterward. Beethoven sought refuge at his brother Nikolaus's house, only to find that Nikolaus was having an affair with the housekeeper. Apparently on the theory that if he couldn't have love, his brother shouldn't either, he attempted to break up their relationship by going so far as reporting it to the police. The brothers came to blows, and Nikolaus married the housekeeper anyway. They never spoke again. Bernard Rose's film speculation on the identity of the "Immortal Beloved" conflates these two separate crises in Beethoven's life, making the hated sister-in-law the secret lover. There is nothing wrong with that; it makes for a more dramatic story, and the film doesn't pretend to be, and isn't required to be, an accurate account of Beethoven's life. But the film is deeply flawed. Its disjointed flow, told from too many points of view and going off in too many directions, its excruciating length, and its failure to explain Beethoven's music (an essential part of the man) all lead to annoyance rather than enjoyment. I remember commenting to my husband after seeing the film in the theater that it was all about Beethoven NOT writing music, except for the Ninth Symphony. Indeed, Rose might have found it challenging to relate Beethoven's emotional crises to the music he was writing at the time, because in real life, all during the doomed affair and the wrenching dispute with his brother, Beethoven was writing the witty and good-natured Eighth Symphony. Like all great artists, Beethoven was a paradox, and this film could have been a better one had it explored that part of his nature. That said, the film had a few inspired moments that are, frankly, unforgettable, and that have led me to want to own it on DVD despite my overall disappointment. For me, these were the scenes where Beethoven's deafness is revealed to his stunned sweetheart and her father; where, as a child, he is running for his life to escape his abusive father and leaps into the water, where he floats among the reflected stars; and where the Beloved is glimpsed through a window, weeping. There are a couple of others, but these were the very best. And, of course, Gary Oldman's performance is superb, the rest of the actors were nearly as good, the cinematography is gorgeous, and the music is unbeatable (I have no complaint about it being overused - it's too beautiful). In short, as other reviewers here have noted, "Amadeus" is a far better film of this genre. "Immortal Beloved" is worth a look, but only if you have time and patience.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent film !!!!!!!!!!!
Review: A captivating movie starting Gary Oldman who portrays the deaf composer, Ludwig van Beethoven. The movie focusses on Beethoven's secretary who is trying to find out whom Beethoven's "Immortal Beloved" is; for she is the rightful owner of his estate. This task isn't easy for Beethoven had many lovers during his lifetime. As the secretary goes from door to door, each mistress has a different persepective of Beethoven and a story to tell. Immortal Beloved was well performed and the portrayal of Beethoven in this aspect is definately worth viewing. An excellent film.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful even though its totally fake
Review: So the story of Bethoven's lost love is not real. Well, neither is the story of Amadeus. Even so it, i.e., Immortal Beloved
VHS ~ Gary Oldman , is astounding and Mr. Oldman is amazing in his portrayal of the deaf composer. The scenery and costume all look authentic and one never doubts that one is invited into the world that Bethoven lived in. Recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the greatest ever true life love story
Review: Immortal Beloved may not be an historically accurate film but neither does it claim to be.
What it does capture, is the romance and passion of a revolutionary composer. Whether or not it is truly plausible who the film suggests could have been his Immortal Beloved is not important.
This is not a biographical piece but a theory based attempt to uncover what may have been one of the greatest 'real-life' love stories.
Although many have an educated idea as to who Beethoven's great love may have been, the truth shall never be known.
The scenery and direction in this film is colourful and visually stunning. Set on the backdrop of one of Europe's most beautiful cities, Vienna.
Gary Oldman is hypnotic as the much-admired maestro. His performance alone is worth the viewing.
Rating:
Summary: Gary Oldman does it again!
Review: This was a fantastic film, though, it was not as great as expected. Gary Oldman(Bram Strokers Dracula), of course, delivers noting less then a five-star performance! Powerful soundtrack, and interesting theory as to who was the Immortal Beloved - which still remains a mystery to this day. This film has its ups and downs, as does Amadeus - which makes it hard to pick 'the best'. I say they're both equally good. They just have different approaches to telling the story. But once again, It's Gary Oldman's performance as Beethoven, that really makes this film powerful, and you should check it out just for that reason! I highly recommend.
Rating:
Summary: (...)
Review: (...)While I love "Amadeus" purely for Mozart's music and what the film did for that music, it is so inaccurate in its depiction of Mozart's life. "Immortal Beloved" is more of a theory type move than "Amadeus" and it is, in fact, more accurate (where it needs to be) than "Amadeus" is. "Immortal Beloved" does not pretend to be an accurate tell all story about Beethoven and his life. It is a "theory" film. When Beethoven died, he left his entire estate to his "Immortal Beloved". That is fact - and no one knows for certain who this woman was. This movie is a story (theory) about who this woman could be. Although I doubt the outcome is real, it is very interesting. Where the film hits home is its depiction of Beethoven as a man terrified of a world discovering his secret deafness. In life, Beethoven compared taking a deaf composer as seriously as one would take a blind painter. He wrote his final symphony (#9) while completely deaf. During his life, he was viewed as a cruel, cold-hearted man. This film does a wonderful job in showing a more real picture of the man behind the music. A passionate, lonely, terrified man. The highlight of this film for me is the music. Before I saw this film - the Piano Concerto No. 5 - Emperor was my favorite non-opera piece. The usage of that piece in this film blew me a way and heightened my love and appreciation for. I cannot listen to the 2nd mov't without tearing up and imaging the scene that accompanies it in the film. That is one of my favorite scenes in all of cinema. That could not have possibly picked a better piece of music to accompany the heartfelt, powerful scene. The acting, setting, and direction are wonderful as well. This film has no shortcomings in any form. It has to be taken for what it is and what it is intended to be. Just like “Amadeus”. It does not pretend to be anything more than it is, unlike "Amadeus" - a movie where real events were changed in favor of drama and box office receipts. "Amadeus" is one of my favorite films because of its music - but its story (at certain points) is downright inaccurate and despicable!
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