Music scholars have challenged the film's authenticity, but they cannot dispute the magnificent image-making by director Bernard Rose.

It may be a cartoon. Yet, with Beethoven's compositions crashing and storming around him, it's a cartoon that has some dark, harrowing grandeur.

Yes, this is another one of Hollywood's silly symphonies, an unintentionally amusing bit of piffle that allows mortals a privileged glimpse into the private life of a legendary composer.

Quality dressings can distract from, but never disguise, a weak body.