The final years of the legendary composer are played out onscreen in this interesting and oftentimes harsh look at his life and work. For those who love his music, this film is a wonderful way to connect to the man who, although deaf, composed some of the world's finest symphonies and other compositions.

The story focuses on Anna Holtz (Diane Kruger), a 23-year-old aspiring composer who takes a job as the copyist for Beethoven (Ed Harris). In that time it was rare for a woman to do such a job, and even to aspire to be a composer, but Anna Holtz was special. She formed a bond with Beethoven that endured through tough times. The film shows how Beethoven was a loner, but also never alone because, as he put it, music filled his head all the time. The film begins with Beethoven as he is finishing his ninth symphony and continues through his now-legendary Grosse Fugue, which, at the time was met by distaste and completely shunned. He was revolutionary in his music. His final symphony added a chorus in the last movement, something new in the field of classical music. Copying Beethoven is a wonderful film for music lovers and also those who know nothing about music or its history. It is a brief look at the legendary composer and is filled with his music from start to finish.

The DVD contains some deleted scenes as well as a feature on orchestrating the movie.

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