Laikals The greatest movie ever made..!

Exoticalot People are voting emotionally.

MamaGravity good back-story, and good acting

Solidrariol Am I Missing Something?

atlasmb 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.

TheLittleSongbird At 17, I love Beethoven's music, more his symphonic works than his concertos and sonatas, and this drama really helped me appreciate the extraordinary works of this fantastic composer. I have always considered Eroica one of his best works, from the rousing beginning, the haunting tragic slow movement depicting a funeral march, the charming third movement very like a dance, to the triumphant finale, it is a joy to the ears, and along with the Choral, is easily the best of Beethoven's symphonies. And the orchestra featured played it very nicely indeed. Eroica was just wonderful, I couldn't really fault it at all.The drama looked absolutely exquisite, with the stunning scenery and locations, as well as the beautifully designed costumes. Any scene with Beethoven walking in the countryside was lovely to see, and I am glad the writers didn't miss that out, because Beethoven loved the countryside, and it was the inspiration for some of his more lyrical works like the Pastoral symphony.The acting was of high calibre, with Ian Hart absolutely superb in the title role, making the composer a complex figure, quite temperamental, passionate about his work, and torn between the pain of his increasing deafness and love, yet also elegant and adamant. Everyone else was brilliant too, especially Claire Skinner and Tim Piggott-Smith gives a masterclass in understated acting, but other than the music, Hart's portrayal of Beethoven is what makes this superb drama so watchable, not to mention the intriguing story behind the work itself. The script wasn't so bad either.All in all, absolutely fantastic, so well watching for a number of reasons, whether for the period detail, Hart's Beethoven, or for the fantastic music, that really does touch you with its emotions, joy, heroism and sorrow, all depicted beautifully in the work. 10/10 Bethany Cox

joylily514 Eroica is a well done blending of film and symphony concert. Beethoven was a rebel pushing against the social status quo in his life and with his music. How we hear this symphony today is so completely different that it is nearly impossible to imagine how it seemed to those hearing this kind of music for the first time. This film helped me to do that.I have had the great honor of performing this masterpiece when I was a student at Duquesne University, so it's always like coming home when I hear this piece. This film gave me an opportunity to visit it with fresh eyes and ears.One thing I have to complain about is the usual one, the violas nearly always get short shrift when orchestras are filmed, but this is a small oversight in view of the entire movie.Well done!

jocelyne-4 Not so much film noir as film dusk, I spent the first ten minutes waiting for the set lights to be switched on. Having said that, Eroica is a beautiful to look at period piece about the first playing of Beethoven's Eroica or 'Napoleon' symphony (played by the wonderful Orchestre Revolutionaire et Romantique) for Prince Lobokowitz in Vienna. The film spans a day in the life of Beethoven in June 1804, examining not only his life and loves, but the lives of the musicians and the staff of the Palace in Vienna.Much of the 'action' revolves around the audience of this magical performance. If only the Director had resisted the temptation to spin round the viewers as they watched! The film certainly flew by, but I was left wishing that this was only the start of the film and not the totality.