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Features: DVD, French, Spanish, Subtitled, Dolby Digital (5.1)
Amadeus triumphs as gripping human drama, sumptuous period epic, glorious celebration of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - and as the winner of eight 1984 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Actor, Director and Adapted Screenplay.It's 1781 and Antonio Salieri is the competent court composer to Emperor Joseph II. When Mozart arrives at court, Salieri is horrified to discover that the godlike musical gifts he desires for himself have been bestowed on a bawdy, impish jokester. Mad with envy, he plots to destroy Mozart by any means. Perhaps, even murder.
Editor's Note
In a lavish 18th century parlor in Austria, an elderly man is found, by his servant, with his throat slashed. The wound is self-inflicted, and the man is the little-known composer Salieri (F. Murray Abraham), contemporary and adversary of the now-famed, but once reviled, composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce). Later, from his cell in an insane asylum, Salieri tells a priest (Herman Meckler) the story of his association with Mozart, confessing that he actually killed the brilliantly gifted but troubled young man. Based on the award-winning play by Peter Shaffer, Milos Forman's riveting, brilliant, Oscar-winning AMADEUS is a fictionalized account of the real-life mysterious death of Mozart. Abraham, in the role that won him the Best Actor Oscar, is the celebrated court composer to Joseph II (Jeffrey Jones)--his confidence and religious dedication shaken when he meets the boorish 26-year-old Mozart as he chases his future wife (Elizabeth Berridge) around a party while making obscene remarks. Furious that this clownish boy can produce such beautiful music, Salieri determines to keep Mozart's talent from lasting recognition and sets himself on a course for Mozart's destruction that leads to his own as well. Mozart continues to mount beautiful, moving operas (incredibly staged in the film), but becomes obsessed with writing a Requiem as his friends, family, health, and resources waste away, Salieri's manipulating presence always there. It is hard to imagine anyone--whether they are knowledgeable about classical music or not--who would not be held captive by this superb feast for the eyes and ears, a film whose excellence can be felt in every detail.
| Features | Production Notes | | Subtitles: English & French | | Alternate music-only track showcases Sir Neville Marriner's accclaimed scoring of Mozart and Salieri music | | Soundtrack remastered in Dolby Digital 5.1 | | Interactive Menus |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Warner |
| Release Date: 2/8/2005 |
| Running Time: 158 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 1984 | | Catalog ID: 36218 | | UPC: 00085393621827 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English [CC], English | | Available Subtitles: French, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | 2.35:1 |
| Cast & Crew
| Awards |
Academy Awards (1984) |  | Winner, Best Art Direction - Set Decoration | | Winner, Best Costume Design | | Winner, Best Picture | | Winner, Best Sound | | F. Murray Abraham, Winner, Best Actor | | Milos Forman, Winner, Best Director | | Saul Zaentz, Winner, Best Picture | | Dick Smith, Winner, Best Makeup | | Peter Shaffer, Winner, Best Adapted Screenplay |
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| | Professional Reviews | Sight and Sound
"...An unexpected and strangely moving spectacle..." 03/01/1985 p.142-3New York Times
"...[Hulce] gets better and better....[Forman] has preserved the fascinating heart of [the play]....Well done." 09/19/1984 p.C23 Variety
"...AMADEUS is loaded with pleasures....[Abraham] is quietly excellent..." 09/05/1984 Total Film
"...Milos Forman's opulent drama is sheer quality..." 07/01/2000 p.114 Uncut
"A class act." 08/01/2000 p.130 |
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| Customer Reviews | ![]() | | Cinematography |  5 | | Plot | 5 | | Acting | 5 | | Overall Satisfaction | 5 |
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5 of 5 Phenomenal movie Friday, April 12, 2002
Andy Talenmrripley from NYC, NY
I will admit, I'm not the biggest fan of classical music but when a film is able to capture the spirit of music and beyond, what it truly means to be exceptional and yet see that someone else is irreverently a genius. F. Murnau struggled with it in one of the best directed/performed movies I've seen in my 8 years as a film student/admirer.
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5 of 5 Timeless Thursday, January 06, 2000
John L from Vernon NJ
Like 'The Glenn Miller Story', Amadeus has factual errors large enough to drive a aircraft carrier through. Put that aside, and you get one of the best dramatic motion pictures ever produced. Cinemetography is phenominal, and catches the feeling of the period. The acting is almost completely beyond reproach. Tom Hulce's portrayal of Mozart brings to life madness & genious. F. Murray Abraham is brilliant as the 'under-appreciated' Antonio Salieri. Competative nature and appreciation when it's too late bring together a story that is phenomenal and timeless. The use of the music is incredible, and truly sets the tone for each scene. SEE IT! Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Partytime in Vienna Saturday, December 18, 1999
Jon from Oradell, New Jersey
Great movie. I just want people to know that Mozart's wife in this movie is the girl kissing Benny Blanco from The Bronx when he's first introduced in 'Carlito's Way'. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A must have ***** 5 stars Wednesday, December 15, 1999
Larry from King George, VA
F. Murray Abraham as Salieri PULLS you on to his emotional roller coaster. You can't help but feel moved. Even if you don't like classical music, you'll appreciate it after this movie. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Amadeus, The best movie I've ever seen. Saturday, November 27, 1999
InsaneCain from Lebanon, Ohio
This movie has beautiful scenery, an incredible soundtrack, brilliant acting, and stupendous writing. It is beyond a doubt the best movie I have ever seen. If you are a fan of Mozart at all, you NEED to see this movie!! Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A Masterpiece Wednesday, November 17, 1999
zanglerska from Texas Tech
Indeed, good movies have been made before, but none with the attention payed to sound, costumes, acting, music, and lighting. This movie can make anyone excited about the world of classical music. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 The best movie ever made! Friday, November 12, 1999
A Viewer from Atlanta, GA
This movie is for those that enjoy Mozart's music, great acting and a plot that combined with musice takes your breath away. Excellent choice for any time you want to just enjoy a good movie. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 Simply the best Sunday, July 18, 1999
Eddie Sung from Chicago, IL
My favorite movie of all time. Amadeus is truely a magnificent film. The blending together of story and music is taken to another level and perfected as none could ever have imagined. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 It's on my top 10 list. :) Wednesday, July 14, 1999
David B. from Dallas
I have 2 catagories for rating movies. Good, or entertaining. A movie can be one without the other. Gandi is very good, but not super entertaining, Dead Alive is really entertaining, but not really all that good. Amadaeus is a lot of both. In addition to having all the elements of a Good movie, it also has a lot of humor, good music, and of course, women in those cool dresses that spill thier assets over the neckline, and what could be better than that? :) Besides everything else, the movie deals with a theme most of us can identify with; the competitive nature of the human spirit. Saliare (sp) wants to be the best compser in Vienna, then Mozart shows up and outdoes him at every turn, and the worst part is that Mozart isn't even trying to compete, he's just that much better. Was this review helpful?
5 of 5 A TRUE MASTERPIECE Monday, May 24, 1999
A Viewer from sacramento
This is one of the finest movies ever made.
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5 of 5 MUST SEE!!! - SIMPLY THE BEST Monday, May 17, 1999
stevenou from Arcadia, California
If you enjoy listening to Mozart or classical music in general, you'll surely enjoy this masterpiece. I've seen this movie well over 3 times! (=^.^=) Was this review helpful?
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