Beethoven's Hair traces the unlikely journey of a lock of hair cut from Beethoven's corpse and unravels the mystery of his tortured life and death. The film begins in modern times, when a pair of Beethoven enthusiasts purchase the hair at a Sotheby's auction. The story then looks at the lock's previous owners and culminates in the science that reveals Beethoven's "medical secret". Set to a lush score of some of Beethoven's most glorious music, the film explores the world of forensic testing in sharp relief against the romance of 19th-century Vienna and the horrors of 20th-century Nazi Germany.
Reviews
This is a well-told tale in a docu-drama format. There is plenty of glorious music. Woven through the exploration of Beethoven's life, is a chance to "meet" some quite interesting and diverse people who are linked by a lock of Beethoven's hair. The history of who possessed it and why is quite intriguing. Finally, there is a "medical mystery" that might unfold a bit too slowly for those who are in a hurry to get the answer instead of sitting back and enjoying the leisurely journey. All in all, 90 minutes well spent. Music lovers, history buffs, and folks who enjoy all those forensic pathology TV programs should all find this a worthwhile.