Movies / Drama based on Classical Music Options

[VH2]

Amadeus is a fine film.

But many people havemistakenly taken it to be a factual documentary about Mozart's life, so they have all kinds of false beliefs, especially about Salieri.

Salieri was more successful and more influential than Mozart financially and socially. Salieri was a fine musician (several of his orchestral works have some similarity to those of Beethoven - but without Beethoven's power and coherence - but who influenced who?) so he must have recognized that Mozart was the superior composer, and may well have been jealous.

The rumour that Salieri killed Mozart started in Salieri's own lifetime, after Salieri made a failed suicide attempt, but there is no good evidence for the belief. However it does make for a good story, and was used as a plot, first by Pushkin, then in our times Peter Schaeffer's play, before being made into a film.

There has been a lot of speculation, but bottom line is that we do not know what killed Mozart.

[mcm]

There's also a superb French film about a violin maker - can't remember what it is called - but it features quite a lot of Ravel

Un Coeur en Hiver - I'd forgotten that one, but yes, it is brilliant.

Another film which I haven't managed to see yet but which was well received is Brassed Off, about the troubles faced by a colliery brass band following the closure of their pit.

[Claudia's Mum]

There's also a superb French film about a violin maker - can't remember what it is called - but it features quite a lot of Ravel

Un Coeur en Hiver - I'd forgotten that one, but yes, it is brilliant.

Another film which I haven't managed to see yet but which was well received is Brassed Off, about the troubles faced by a colliery brass band following the closure of their pit.

That's the one, thanks MCM.

Brassed Off is superb! How could I have forgotten that one? That trumpet solo!

Actually, when you posted Sunil, I thought they were for you to watch. I agree that many of these we have recommended are not suitable for children.

[VH2]

If we are now recommending films with musical themes, then the French film "The Chorister" is marvellous and worth watching.

[Ayshah]

There's that one with Meryl Streep, about a NY violin teacher, working in a primary school - based on a true story. Someone will remember the title, I'm sure.

Sunil - please don't let your daughter watch La Tourneuse des Pages ! Also, (imo) Hilary and Jackie is a truly terrible movie, and certainly not suitable for an 11 year old.

Oh yes some of these films are really NOT suitable for an 11 year old, and if you are planning to edit then the story will be lost so perhaps look carefully (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[sunil]

Yes we do, before passing on to daughter. Not sure how long I could screen these, before passing on to daughter (IMG:style_emoticons/default/mellow.gif) but she seem to be matured enough at least in front of us / school and online.

But a good number of suggestions are rated 12 and seems okay for daughter.

Actually, when you posted Sunil, I thought they were for you to watch. I agree that many of these we have recommended are not suitable for children.