The Hidden Heart: A Life of Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears

2009

1h 18min

A biographical documentary that profiles composer-pianist Benjamin Britten (1913-1976). Still widely regarded as one of the most astonishing musical talents in British history, Britten drew many a comparison to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; he enjoyed his most prolific relationship, on both professional/creative and personal/romantic levels, with vocalist Peter Pears, for whom Britten created many of the central roles in his operas. Griffiths' film explores three of Britten's foremost works, +Peter Grimes, +Death in Venice, and +War Requiem, while touching on the professional and personal nuances of the men's relationship.