Product Details

• Actors: Neil Munro, Illya Woloshyn, Fiona Reid, Paul Soles, Albert Schultz
• Directors: David Devine
• Writers: Heather Conkie
• Producers: David Devine, Richard Mozer, Terence Robinson
• Format: Classical, Closed-captioned, Color, Live, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: CHILDREN'S GROUP INC.
• VHS Release Date: June 9, 1992
• Run Time: 52 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)
• ASIN: 6302598834
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,341 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The arrival of an eccentric boarder turns a young boy's home upside-down. The classical music composer, Ludwig van Beethoven has moved in upstairs!Richly set in 19th century Vienna, Beethoven Lives Upstairs is a touching tale of music, friendship and genius. Based in part on historical fact, Beethoven Lives Upstairs features more than twenty-five beautifully performed excerpts of Beethoven's best-loved works.Based on the award-winning and best-selling Classical Kids compact disc of the same name, Beethoven Lives Upstairs was hailed upon its original release in 1992 as "a video masterpiece" by the Boston Herald and "the best family film to appear in a long time…" by the Ottawa Citizen. The television special has been seen on HBO, PBS, CBC, the Family Channel and YTV and the home video has sold more than 250,000 copies in North America. In this award-winning story, young Christoph exchanges letters with his uncle, bemoaning the fact that a madman (Beethoven) has moved into the upstairs apartment of their Vienna home. Provides history, drama, music, and fun for kids and young listeners.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly accurate and complete, December 13, 1999

By 

"kmmdaley" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven Lives Upstairs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Our family (girls ages 4 and 6) loved the CD by the same name so much that we bought the video too. We were impressed at the ability of the writers and director to rearrange the story and the music to fit a film version. I realized that I knew nothing of Beethoven and read his biography after viewing the video. Then I was really impressed to find how much accurate information about Beethoven's life was interwoven into the story. Although we prefer the CD version, I think that seeing the period costume and setting helped the girls place the story in an historical context. We are now all Beethoven fans and listen to his music with new appreciation.

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beethoven Lives Upstairs, December 7, 2000

By 

Nancy O'Gorman (Spring, TX United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven Lives Upstairs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

Excellent video for children. I teach elementary school music and it puts a personal face on a distant genius. Beethoven lived a very troubled life and it puts his genius and suffering into a language that children not only understand but embrace. After watching this video they want to know more about Beethoven and his music.

40 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great for kids, July 18, 2002

By 

ColoraturaSoprano (my computer desk) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beethoven Lives Upstairs [VHS] (VHS Tape)

This video is (as most media works are) based on many multifaceted specuations surrounding Beethoven's life. However, there are many "theories" about the final days of his life, and this particular "theory" is clean, and excellent for children.

I distinctly remember watching it in the fourth grade, and being a classical soprano myself, finding I was absolutley enchanted with the entire idea. It sparked an interest in Beethoven's life, which, years later, lead to the reading of many a biography and viewing of "Immortal Beloved", a movie which immediatly became my favorite. Therefore, I would most definitely recommend this movie, (for children) it is succinct, clean, to the point, and for me, inspiring. Take it from one who viewed it as a child many a time, children will adore "Beethoven Lives Upstairs."