Movies About Composers …
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lubin-freddy — 17 years ago(June 24, 2008 07:15 AM)
One of the reasons is that the dynamics of the genre, and its conventions, demand a "eureka moment", when the composer / songwriter / whatever, suddenly "gets it" (this is true of films about scientists, writers, etc.), when that tune starts appearing while playing around at the piano, or strumming the guitar (Johnny Cash starting to mumble "I hear that train a-commin'"). Anyone who has created art, whatever it be, knows that along with that rare moment of inspiration, the act of creation is much hard work, that in inherently uncinematic.
(The only film I can mention that presented the complex creative process is Victor Erice's "El Sol del membrillo", with Antonio López García playing himself.) -
paul_johnr — 17 years ago(August 06, 2008 08:17 PM)
Moviemakers also try to whip up stories around the actual lives of composers that don't seem very exciting to begin with. Someone like Mozart is an exception - Amadeus brilliantly makes use of rumor by building the story around Salieri rather than Mozart. But try making a film about J. S. BachA brilliant musician, but it seemed that he only wrote great music and fathered 20 children in between, that's all.
Beethoven wasn't even that great of a subject for film, either, IMO. Beethoven was simply a great artist, period. He spent most of his time performing or sitting at his desk writing music, not chasing after women and throwing chairs through windows.
I should mention one other film that does work in an odd kind of way - Ken Russel's Mahler. The story focuses on a train ride with Mahler and his wife Alma, and the possiblity of Alma leaving him.
http://www.geocities.com/paul_johnr/ -
PenTheater — 15 years ago(September 07, 2010 03:24 PM)
I don't know if the Leadbelly movie was accurate, but it was damn sure interesting and sad.
http://www.imdb.com/board/10074781/
Roger Mosley was great. -
hiddenagenda1 — 11 years ago(December 23, 2014 06:52 PM)
Here are the ones that I seen.
Song of Love (1947)- 6/10
Amadeus (1984)- 5/10
Immortal Beloved (1994)- 4 or 5/10
Volker Flenske: (While torturing David) I don't know why you're doing this to yourself! -
Aunt-Peg — 10 years ago(August 22, 2015 02:45 AM)
Ken Russell was the master of films about composers.
Music Lovers & Mahler are both excellent thought I must admit Listzamania has not stood the test of time.
Russell also directed some TV films about composers in the 60's & 70's which are also very good.