"Everything's different as of today" said a weary Josef Haydn, and how right he was."Eroica" is the best film about Beethoven that I have seen. OK, I've only seen three others, one of which was made in the 70s and I can't remember the name of that one. The other two were "Immortal Beloved" which was good, and "Copying Beethoven" which was horrendous. What attracted me to this movie was the clever direction and how it was made watchable despite the entire work being played throughout. When I say "despite", don't get me wrong, I'm a composer and I loved the music, but to be able to base an entire film around the complete performance (OK then, a rehearsal) of a particularly long work whilst simultaneously retaining visual and cinematic interest is a tricky task, and the director rose to the challenge magnificently. Ian Hart was convincing (unlike Ed Harris's comically over-acted portrayal, although his makeup was very good) and one of a very professional cast indeed. Isn't Fenella Woolgar gorgeous? Such a sexy nose! And so to the music. What was interesting was the fact that although Elliot Gardiner's soundtrack was obviously not that of which we see, it WAS played on period instruments. The biggest clue being when hearing the valveless horns playing the few notes that were not to be found within the harmonic series (on an Eb crook) sounding a bit flatulent. It also helps to know that John Elliot Gardiner is really hot on period instruments. I personally prefer modern orchestral instruments, but nothing can be taken away from the superb performance by this ensemble. Also the synchronisation must have been extremely tricky because all the musicians in shot were actually playing the music together, whilst acting simultaneously (they would have had to, to gurn their faces like they did as if the music was something completely new, which it so obviously was).But what really made the movie work was the silent reaction to the music of the surrounding gentry and servants. It really helped to bring tears to my eyes.A fabulous two hours of my time spent. Heartily recommended!!!

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

One of the characters in this TV movie about the first repetition of Beethoven's Third says something like 'it's a work of quality but it's way too long'. If we are looking at the movie as to what it really is - a video clip around Beethoven's symphony we are inclined to say the same. Very good as a video clip, but too long for the genre.Sure, it's good quality music, and a great interpretation. Whoever loves classical music and Beethoven especially will love it. I did enjoy myself as a music lover, and the composition will not sound the same for me for a long time.But what about film lovers? They do not get too much from this movie. The script is based upon quite a unbelievable premise - never a symphonic work can be played almost without interruption and at such a level of quality with the musicians seeing the music for the first time. Certainly not a symphony of Beethoven! The characters around are, say and behave more or less the way you would expect them to do, maybe too much so. I was expecting to see the moment when Beethoven realizes Napoleon is not the liberator and ideal leader he though he is, and here it came the same day the piece was played for the first time. Come on. As a film 'Eroica' is no more than a well acted but boring British TV docu-drama. If you like Beethoven you must see it. If you do not like Beethoven you should avoid it.

.. if you know how innovative the piece was it seemed a bit odd that the players 'got' the piece basically on their first run. Even if the 3rd and 4th movements sounded different from most other performances i own, it was oddly well-played for a first try.Other than that, the 'plot' was fairly flimsy, though seemingly historically accurate. As such, i'm not sure why the film was made.. it's far from glitzy enough to appeal to a general public (not to mention it contains "classical" music, yuck!), most of the actors came from TV, though it didn't really matter because the script didn't require a lot of actingIn all, a nice film to watch if you want to gain *some* insight into what the piece is about, but there are courses out there that teach you a whole lot more on the subject.