Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Winner of an Emmy award for best children's program, filmmaker David Devine's 1989 TV special, set in 1820s Austria, revolves around 10-year-old Christoph, who recently lost his doctor father and whose mother takes in a boarder--none other than Ludwig van Beethoven, at the height of his eccentricity--to make ends meet. Fuming at the imposition of a stranger in the home and the thought of having “the crazy man” take over his dad's office, Christoph looks for every reason to argue that Beethoven doesn't belong there, but eventually gets to know the composer on a personal level. Under the guidance of an uncle attending the local music conservatory, Christoph learns to appreciate Beethoven's passion for his work, and the two become unlikely friends (Christoph gives Beethoven a hearing device, Beethoven lets Christoph sit in on rehearsals and gives the boy and his mother tickets to the premiere of his Ninth Symphony). Neil Munro stars as the amiably eccentric Beethoven (“Composers don't cry, composers are made of fire!”), whose shirtless, mumbling, erratic behavior leads to comic clashes with the family maid (their shrieking squabbling is hilarious). Newly available on DVD, with extras including a music video, behind-the-scenes interviews, a music gallery, and extensive DVD-ROM features, this excellent program is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. Aud: I, J, P. (J. Williams)