Best Movies About Classical Music

From Roman Polanski, starring Adrien Brody, Thomas Kretschmann, Frank Finlay, Emilia Fox
Rated R

The Pianist is a biographical drama directed by Roman Polanski and released in 2002. It tells the story of Władysław Szpilman, a Jewish-Polish pianist, and his struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto during World War II. After being separated from his family, Szpilman experiences various forms of human cruelty and survives by hiding in the ruins of the ghetto and relying on the kindness of strangers. Through his ordeal, Szpilman learns to find hope and resilience in the face of despair and eventually reunites with his family.

From Milos Forman, starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice
Rated R

Amadeus is a 1984 biographical drama directed by Milos Forman and based on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It follows the story of Antonio Salieri, a great composer in his own right, who is consumed with envy for the young genius Mozart. Driven by this envy, Salieri plots to destroy Mozart's life, yet as he does so, he finds himself becoming entranced and inspired by Mozart's music. Through this story, the movie examines the nature of genius, creativity, and jealousy, and the consequences that come from those powerful emotions. The film stars Tom Hulce as Mozart and F. Murray Abraham as Salieri, and won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Abraham.

From François Girard, starring Carlo Cecchi, Jean-Luc Bideau, Christoph Koncz, Jason Flemyng
Rated R

The Red Violin is a 1998 historical drama directed by François Girard and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Carlo Cecchi, Jean-Luc Bideau and Sylvia Chang. The film follows the journey of a rare, valuable and mysterious musical instrument, the legendary "red violin," from its creation in Cremona, Italy in 1681 to present day. Along the way, the instrument passes through the hands of several people in various countries, who each shape its history and influence its sound. Through these stories, the film paints an intricate portrait of music, history, and culture and its power to transcend time and borders.

From Scott Hicks, starring Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd
Rated PG-13

Shine is a biographical drama film directed by Scott Hicks, released in 1996. The film is based on the life of pianist David Helfgott, who suffered a mental breakdown and spent years in institutions before eventually making a miraculous return to the concert stage. The film follows David as a child prodigy, studying under the tutelage of his domineering and abusive father, Peter. David is pushed to the edge of his mental and physical capacity, leading to a nervous breakdown. He is institutionalized, and eventually relocated to Australia, beginning the long journey of his recovery. Through the tough love of those closest to him, and the rediscovery of his passion for the piano, David slowly recovers and eventually makes an astonishing return to the stage. His remarkable performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3 earns him the applause and admiration of audiences around the world. The film highlights themes of family, mental illness, resilience, and the power of music, ultimately culminating in a story of hope and redemption.

From Radu Mihaileanu, starring Aleksey Guskov, Mélanie Laurent, Dmitriy Nazarov, François Berléand
Rated PG-13

The Concert is a French-language comedy-drama film about a former conductor of a prestigious Russian orchestra, Andrei Filipov (Alexei Guskov). He was fired 30 years ago for hiring Jewish musicians in defiance of the then-government’s policy. Although he had been living in obscurity as a janitor, Andrei is approached by a group of former musicians who have all kept in touch over the years. They come up with the plan to reunite the orchestra, pretending to be the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, and perform a concert in Paris. Despite being a ragtag group of old men, they manage to pull it off and give a stunning performance. Along the way, they learn the power of music, friendship, and hope.

From Anand Tucker, starring Emily Watson, Rachel Griffiths, James Frain, David Morrissey
Rated R

From Directors: George Sidney, Joseph Barbera, William Hanna, starring Frank Sinatra, Kathryn Grayson, Gene Kelly, José Iturbi
Rated Passed

From Agnieszka Holland, starring Ed Harris, Diane Kruger, Matthew Goode, Ralph Riach
Rated PG-13

From Franco Zeffirelli, starring Fanny Ardant, Jeremy Irons, Joan Plowright, Jay Rodan
Rated PG-13

From Jan Kounen, starring Anna Mouglalis, Mads Mikkelsen, Elena Morozova, Natacha Lindinger
Rated R