There are times when, even after thirty years, I don’t change my stance on things. Beethoven, I still stand by my initial thoughts. The dad played with maximum prickishness by Charles Grodin (who was almost sixty at the time, yes, sixty) is a terrible dad and not funny in the least. I still remember seeing Beethoven at the drive-in and enjoying it the same way that I did the first hour and thirty minutes of Turner and Hooch (those last ten are a hate crime against everyone). It doesn’t matter what happens in the last ten minutes of this movie; Grodin’s George still does the unforgivable and does not fight for his family’s dog. You know who is funny and lovable and more than makes up for Grodin’s immoral behavior? Beethoven himself!
The story of Beethoven is a straight-up John Hughes (writing under his pseudonym Edmon Dantes with Amy Holden Jones) special with criminals butting heads with a family. The film is the type of family picture that proposes that animals can’t talk, BUT they do communicate as Beethoven does with his Jack Russell terrier friend, who helps free him in the opening moments. Where Beethoven finds a family, the nameless Jack Russell does not. Months go by until the two inept criminals (played by amazing character actors Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci… yes, let me repeat that the two bumbling criminals are played by Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci), who not only capture Beethoven’s friend but their boss concocts a scheme to trick George into giving him the family’s beloved companion. Mayhem ensues when George’s wife (the awesome Bonnie Hunt), the real hero, knows something is afoot. Hijinks ensue, and the family saves the day and all of the animals that the evil vet was going to harm.
This isn’t rocket science, but… that said its highly effective. Beethoven still works smashingly well, as anyone who loves dogs (most importantly, kids) can’t help but love the big old Saint Bernard that is the title character of the film. More than that, anyone can relate to the cutesy moments of Beethoven helping one of the kids fend off bullies or helping the teen daughter finally meet the dream boy. It’s all done with a wink and a nod and wholesomeness.
Platt and Tucci aren’t the only famous faces, with David Duchovny playing a yuppie douche bag trying to steal the family business and Patricia Heaton playing his equally villainous partner. Though it’s not the actors you’re here for, it’s the lovable and irresistible title character, Beethoven. Director Brian Levant does such a great job of ensuring that we’re invested in the main hero that we hate to see just about anything happen to him. Though don’t worry, again, this is far less traumatizing than Turner and Hooch, no homicides here. Beethoven, the movie and the dog, is just as you remembered it… charming and slobbery as ever.
The Transfer
The all-new HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Interpositive is a solid Blu-ray transfer. With a few exceptions, the image good, solid representation of the film. I do mention the few because there are a few shots during the opening that appear to be a bit grainier and noisier. But that has more to do with it appears the print and or stock they used for those particular shots. They come within the first fifteen minutes, and other than that, this is a good transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
NEW Audio Commentary by Director Brian Levant, Moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale
NEW Audio Commentary by Film Historian Joe Ramoni
Theatrical Trailer
The first of two all-new Audio Commentary tracks by Director Brian Levant, moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale, begins with Levant opening with a brief discussion of the development history of the John Hughes script produced by Ivan Reitman. Some of the details include the number of dogs/puppies they had to use because of the fast growth; how he came onto the production at the last minute, as they were already filming, and the originally hired director decided to leave; the original Hughes project that he intended to direct with John Candy in the Charles Grodin role; how he ingratiated himself with Charles Grodin by using an autobiography the actor wrote; working with Charles Grodin and the troubles he had with the stars specific needs; working with Bonnie Hunt in her first lead role; just how difficult it was with the crew because he was a replacement for the person he hired; who performed the cover of Chuck Berry’s Rollover Beethoven for the film; Chris the Dog, the full grown Beethoven and his animal trainer Carl Miller and the issues that Levant had with during the production; working with 2nd Unit Director Glen Randall and their collaboration; the direction of the puppies and the larger docs and how they accomplished various shots and set pieces, including the animatronic version and real-life version of Beethoven; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film including quite a few that went onto bigger careers; and much more.
The second all-new Audio Commentary track is by Film Historian Joe Ramoni, who begins with a high-level overview of his commentary and the fact that the film was written by John Hughes under a pen name, and the history of when he decided to use it and use his real name, Beethoven, is the first time he used Edmond Dantes, and other films like Drillbit Taylor and Maid in Manhattan. Some of the other details include a larger discussion of the work of John Hughes, and some of the tropes that he would go on to use later in his career; Hughes production deal with Universal and how their relationship soured with the transition to other studios, but eventually went back to Universal; a discussion of the original director Nick Castle (who was attached when Hughes was writing and producing) and why he dropped out; a great discussion of Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci and their relationship prior to this and in the future with Tucci eventually turning to writing and directing – often co-starring Platt; a discussion of star Charles Grodin and how this film changed his career; a discussion of the series of Beethoven films which there are seven films and an animated series; a discussion of the original director Steve Rash (who was hired by producer Ivan Reitman after Hughes left Universal) and his subsequent leaving the project days into production; the reasons why Brian Levant became Rash’s replacement for Universal; Levant’s approach to the film and its tone; the Saint Bernard’s that star in this film have ties to Buster Keaton beyond the physical comedy of the film; a discussion of the career of producer Ivan Rietman; a discussion of the various unrealized projects that Hughes left at universal including Bartholmew vs. Neff which is a legendary script that was a comedy that would have pitted John Candy vs Sylvester Stallone; a great side discussion of the other great family cult classic starring Charles Grodin, Clifford; a larger discussion throughout how much John Hughes would take from his own scripts using ideas for other scripts; a larger discussion of the various cast who have gone on to greater careers and a discussion of them, including Nicole Tom, David Duchovny, Patricia Heaton, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and others; and much more
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Beethoven (2:07); Mouse Hunt (2:04); Kindergarten Cop (2:03); Black Sheep (2:21); Billy Madison (2:00); Babe (2:14);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber continues to provide the very best editions to all titles, including family films, which is a rarity in the boutique label market. Recommendations!!
The family comedy Beethoven comes to Blu-ray in a new special edition from Kino Lorber.
The Film
There are times when, even after thirty years, I don’t change my stance on things. Beethoven, I still stand by my initial thoughts. The dad played with maximum prickishness by Charles Grodin (who was almost sixty at the time, yes, sixty) is a terrible dad and not funny in the least. I still remember seeing Beethoven at the drive-in and enjoying it the same way that I did the first hour and thirty minutes of Turner and Hooch (those last ten are a hate crime against everyone). It doesn’t matter what happens in the last ten minutes of this movie; Grodin’s George still does the unforgivable and does not fight for his family’s dog. You know who is funny and lovable and more than makes up for Grodin’s immoral behavior? Beethoven himself!
The story of Beethoven is a straight-up John Hughes (writing under his pseudonym Edmon Dantes with Amy Holden Jones) special with criminals butting heads with a family. The film is the type of family picture that proposes that animals can’t talk, BUT they do communicate as Beethoven does with his Jack Russell terrier friend, who helps free him in the opening moments. Where Beethoven finds a family, the nameless Jack Russell does not. Months go by until the two inept criminals (played by amazing character actors Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci… yes, let me repeat that the two bumbling criminals are played by Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci), who not only capture Beethoven’s friend but their boss concocts a scheme to trick George into giving him the family’s beloved companion. Mayhem ensues when George’s wife (the awesome Bonnie Hunt), the real hero, knows something is afoot. Hijinks ensue, and the family saves the day and all of the animals that the evil vet was going to harm.
This isn’t rocket science, but… that said its highly effective. Beethoven still works smashingly well, as anyone who loves dogs (most importantly, kids) can’t help but love the big old Saint Bernard that is the title character of the film. More than that, anyone can relate to the cutesy moments of Beethoven helping one of the kids fend off bullies or helping the teen daughter finally meet the dream boy. It’s all done with a wink and a nod and wholesomeness.
Platt and Tucci aren’t the only famous faces, with David Duchovny playing a yuppie douche bag trying to steal the family business and Patricia Heaton playing his equally villainous partner. Though it’s not the actors you’re here for, it’s the lovable and irresistible title character, Beethoven. Director Brian Levant does such a great job of ensuring that we’re invested in the main hero that we hate to see just about anything happen to him. Though don’t worry, again, this is far less traumatizing than Turner and Hooch, no homicides here. Beethoven, the movie and the dog, is just as you remembered it… charming and slobbery as ever.
The Transfer
The all-new HD Master – From a 2K Scan of the 35mm Interpositive is a solid Blu-ray transfer. With a few exceptions, the image good, solid representation of the film. I do mention the few because there are a few shots during the opening that appear to be a bit grainier and noisier. But that has more to do with it appears the print and or stock they used for those particular shots. They come within the first fifteen minutes, and other than that, this is a good transfer.
The Extras
They include the following;
The first of two all-new Audio Commentary tracks by Director Brian Levant, moderated by Filmmaker Douglas Hosdale, begins with Levant opening with a brief discussion of the development history of the John Hughes script produced by Ivan Reitman. Some of the details include the number of dogs/puppies they had to use because of the fast growth; how he came onto the production at the last minute, as they were already filming, and the originally hired director decided to leave; the original Hughes project that he intended to direct with John Candy in the Charles Grodin role; how he ingratiated himself with Charles Grodin by using an autobiography the actor wrote; working with Charles Grodin and the troubles he had with the stars specific needs; working with Bonnie Hunt in her first lead role; just how difficult it was with the crew because he was a replacement for the person he hired; who performed the cover of Chuck Berry’s Rollover Beethoven for the film; Chris the Dog, the full grown Beethoven and his animal trainer Carl Miller and the issues that Levant had with during the production; working with 2nd Unit Director Glen Randall and their collaboration; the direction of the puppies and the larger docs and how they accomplished various shots and set pieces, including the animatronic version and real-life version of Beethoven; a larger discussion of the various actors that appear in the film including quite a few that went onto bigger careers; and much more.
The second all-new Audio Commentary track is by Film Historian Joe Ramoni, who begins with a high-level overview of his commentary and the fact that the film was written by John Hughes under a pen name, and the history of when he decided to use it and use his real name, Beethoven, is the first time he used Edmond Dantes, and other films like Drillbit Taylor and Maid in Manhattan. Some of the other details include a larger discussion of the work of John Hughes, and some of the tropes that he would go on to use later in his career; Hughes production deal with Universal and how their relationship soured with the transition to other studios, but eventually went back to Universal; a discussion of the original director Nick Castle (who was attached when Hughes was writing and producing) and why he dropped out; a great discussion of Oliver Platt and Stanley Tucci and their relationship prior to this and in the future with Tucci eventually turning to writing and directing – often co-starring Platt; a discussion of star Charles Grodin and how this film changed his career; a discussion of the series of Beethoven films which there are seven films and an animated series; a discussion of the original director Steve Rash (who was hired by producer Ivan Reitman after Hughes left Universal) and his subsequent leaving the project days into production; the reasons why Brian Levant became Rash’s replacement for Universal; Levant’s approach to the film and its tone; the Saint Bernard’s that star in this film have ties to Buster Keaton beyond the physical comedy of the film; a discussion of the career of producer Ivan Rietman; a discussion of the various unrealized projects that Hughes left at universal including Bartholmew vs. Neff which is a legendary script that was a comedy that would have pitted John Candy vs Sylvester Stallone; a great side discussion of the other great family cult classic starring Charles Grodin, Clifford; a larger discussion throughout how much John Hughes would take from his own scripts using ideas for other scripts; a larger discussion of the various cast who have gone on to greater careers and a discussion of them, including Nicole Tom, David Duchovny, Patricia Heaton, Joseph Gordon Levitt, and others; and much more
Rounding out the special features are trailers for Beethoven (2:07); Mouse Hunt (2:04); Kindergarten Cop (2:03); Black Sheep (2:21); Billy Madison (2:00); Babe (2:14);
The Final Thought
Kino Lorber continues to provide the very best editions to all titles, including family films, which is a rarity in the boutique label market. Recommendations!!
Kino Lorber’s Blu-ray Edition of Beethoven is out now.
Share this:
Like this:
Discover more from The Movie Isle
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.