Movies About Classical Music

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

The Pianist is a 2002 biographical drama film directed by Roman Polanski. It is an adaptation of the autobiographical book The Pianist, written by the Polish-Jewish musician and Holocaust survivor Władysław Szpilman. Set in Warsaw during the German occupation of Poland in World War II, the film follows the story of Szpilman, a Jewish pianist and composer, as he struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw Ghetto and the Holocaust. Through his courage, wit and prodigious talent, he is able to survive against the odds and discover that hope and life still exist. The film's themes include the effects of World War II, the power of music and the loss of innocence.

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

Amadeus is a 1984 period biographical drama directed by Milos Forman. Set in the latter half of the 18th century, the film follows the life and music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) and his rival Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham). Salieri, an established court composer for the Austrian Emperor, is jealous of Mozart's great talent and begins to resent him. As Mozart's fame grows, Salieri's envy pushes him to the point of obsession, culminating in a dramatic confrontation between the two composers. The film also covers Mozart's personal life, including his struggles with his father, his tumultuous marriage to his wife Constanze, and his untimely death at the age of 35. Amadeus won eight Academy Awards and remains a classic of the biopic genre.

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

The Red Violin is a 1998 Canadian drama film directed by François Girard and starring Samuel L. Jackson, Carlo Cecchi, and Irene Grazioli. Set in five different countries over three centuries, the film follows the journey of a mysterious red-colored violin and the impact it has on the lives of the people who come into contact with it. The film begins in Cremona, Italy, in 1681, where a famous violinmaker has crafted a red violin as a gift for his unborn child. The violin is then passed through generations of families and owners, becoming a symbol of fate and bad luck. It eventually ends up in modern-day Montreal, where an appraiser attempts to uncover the violin's mysterious past. Written by Don McKellar and Girard, the film is a sweeping, epic drama that explores the power of art, the tragedy of loss, and the universal nature of music.

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 and based on the life of internationally renowned Australian pianist David Helfgott. Helfgott's story is told through a series of flashbacks beginning when he is a child prodigy and his over-protective father restricts his musical education. Helfgott eventually works his way up to a prestigious conservatory in London where he meets his future wife and suffers a severe mental breakdown. The film follows him as he recovers and eventually makes his triumphant return to the stage. Through his struggles and accomplishments, Shine captures the remarkable journey of an artist against all odds. Despite his father's fears and doubts, Helfgott is driven to pursue his passion and finds success, happiness and fulfillment in the process.

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

The Concert is a 2009 French-Romanian comedy-drama directed by Radu Mihaileanu. The film follows the story of Andrei Filipov (Alexei Guskov), the former principal conductor of the Bolshoi Orchestra in Moscow. After being unjustly fired from his position due to his Jewish heritage, Andrei spends the next thirty years as a lowly janitor in the Bolshoi. When his friend, Sacha (Dmitri Nazarov), finds out about Andrei’s former career, he hatches a plan to reunite the Bolshoi Orchestra and have them perform at the world famous Châtelet Theatre in Paris. Andrei must first rally the members of his disbanded orchestra and convince them to participate in the risky endeavor, but ultimately succeeds in the unlikely situation. Through this undertaking, Andrei is reunited with his love, Anne-Marie Jacquet (Mélanie Laurent), and is able to perform once again in front of a world-renowned audience. The Concert is a heartwarming tale of redemption and second chances, and a celebration of the power of music.

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