Watch Following The Ninth: In The Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony

Following The Ninth: In The Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony is a 2013 documentary film that explores the power of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and its impact on people from all walks of life around the world. The film follows musician and activist Billy Bragg as he travels the globe to witness the universal appeal of this iconic piece of music.

The film begins by introducing the Ninth Symphony, a masterpiece that was composed during the final years of Beethoven's life. Beethoven was deaf when he composed the piece, and yet it became one of the most beloved and influential pieces of classical music in history. The film explains how the Ninth Symphony marked a turning point in music, incorporating vocal soloists and choir into a symphony for the first time, and how it became a symbol of hope and unity for people around the world.

The documentary then follows Billy Bragg as he travels to diverse locations like Chile, China, Japan, and the United States to witness the impact of the Ninth Symphony on local communities. In each place, Bragg observes how the Ninth Symphony has served as a unifying force, bringing people together despite cultural, linguistic, and ideological differences.

One of the most striking scenes in the film takes place in Chile, where the Ninth Symphony played a crucial role during the country's struggle for democracy in the 1980s. The film features footage of a massive crowd singing the "Ode to Joy" - the fourth movement of the Ninth Symphony - in the streets of Santiago during the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet. Bragg interviews Chilean musicians and activists who explain how the Ninth Symphony inspired them to fight for political change and helped to heal wounds in the aftermath of the dictatorship.

In China, Bragg visits a music school where young students are learning to play Beethoven's music on traditional Chinese instruments. The film shows how the Ninth Symphony has become a symbol of Western classical music in China, and how Chinese musicians are adapting the music to their own cultural traditions.

Throughout the film, the Ninth Symphony is presented as a timeless work of art that transcends borders and cultures. The film features interviews with a range of experts, including music historians, conductors, and composers, who offer insight into the composition and meaning of the Ninth Symphony.

Following The Ninth: In The Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony is a visually stunning film that blends music, history, and contemporary politics into a seamless narrative. The film includes beautiful footage of landscapes, architecture, and art, as well as performances of the Ninth Symphony by orchestras from around the world.

Ultimately, the film suggests that the Ninth Symphony has the power to bring people together and inspire them to work towards a better world. Following The Ninth: In The Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony is a must-see for anyone who loves classical music, as well as for anyone interested in the role that art and culture play in shaping society.

Following The Ninth: In The Footsteps of Beethoven's Final Symphony is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 18 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1 and a MetaScore of 72.