Amadeus (US)
Click to read:
The man... The music... The madness... The murder... The motion picture...
Certificate: PG
Running Time: 160 mins
Retail Price: $24.99
Release Date:
Content Type: Movie
Synopsis:
Amadeus triumphs as gripping human drama, sumptuous period epic, glorious celebration of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - & as the winner of eight 1984 Academy Awards, including Best Picture (produced by Saul Zaentz), Actor (F. Murray Abraham), Director (Milos Forman) & Adapted Screenplay (peter Shaffer).
It`s 1781 & Antonio Saliere (Abraham) is the competent court composer to Emperor Joseph II. When Mozart (Oscar nominee Tom Hulce) 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.
Special Features:
Interactive Menus
Productions Notes
Scene Access
Theatrical Trailer
Alternate Music-Only Track
Video Tracks:
Widescreen Anamorphic 2.35:1
Audio Tracks:
Dolby Digital 5.1 English
Dolby Digital Surround 2.0 French
Subtitle Tracks:
French
English
CC: English
Directed By:
Milos Forman
Written By:
Peter Shaffer
Starring:
Roy Dotrice
Simon Callow
Christine Ebersole
F. Murray Abraham
Charles Kay
Jeffrey Jones
Elizabeth Berridge
Tom Hulce
Music From:
Neville Marriner
Director of Photography:
Miroslav Ondricek
Production Designer:
Patrizia Von Brandenstein
Producer:
Saul Zaentz
Executive Producer:
Bertil Ohlsson
Michael Hausman
Distributor:
Saul Zaentz Company
Your Opinions and Comments
The most popular and critically lauded movie portrait of a classical composer in recent memory, Amadeus also contains one of cinema's finest depictions of envy in F. Murray Abraham's superb interpretation of Antonio Salieri. Director Milos Forman skillfully blends biography, melodrama and historical rumor in the multiple-Oscar-winning movie (a total of eight awards, including best picture, actor and director), now available in a deluxe two-DVD set, which includes the Director's Cut of the film. The restored version clocks in at 22 minutes longer than the original theatrical release.
The differences between the two are among the many topics discussed on the audio commentary track, which features Forman and playwright/scripter Peter Shaffer. They chat about their working relationshipÂForman declares, "You treated me as an equal, but only when I treated you as a superior!" Shaffer also offers invaluable insight into the historical realities that inspired his fictional inventions, while Forman reflects on the fact that the shooting marked his return to his native Czechoslovakia. The documentary The Making of Amadeus examines the production from start to finish, including Forman's most significant choice, the casting of non-stars in the leading roles (the only "name" performer, Meg Tilly, had to drop out before shooting began). The digitally enhanced soundtrack beautifully underscores the film's true raison d'ĂȘtre: the sublime music of Mozart, the man who included "too many notes."
At last a deserving DVD for this classic!