Search - Amadeus on DVD

MPAA Rating: PG Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Questionable for Children, Adult Language Movie Release: 1984 DVD Release: 12/17/1997 Format: DVD - Enhanced Wide Screen Letterbox for 16x9 TV Audio Tracks: English, French Subtitles: English, French SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 40 mins Studio: Warner Home Video Members Wishing: 32 Genres: Comedy Drama, Period Film, Musical Drama, Biopic [feature] See Also: Amadeus: Director's Cut, Amadeus: Director's Cut, Amadeus, Amadeus: Director's Cut [With CD] [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray], Amadeus [Blu-ray], Amadeus, Amadeus [Director's Cut] [Blu-ray]

For this film adaptation of Peter Shaffer's Broadway hit, director Milos Forman returned to the city of Prague that he'd left behind during the Czech political crises of 1968, bringing along his usual cinematographer and fellow Czech expatriate, Miroslav Ondricek. Amadeus is an expansion of a Viennese "urban legend" concerning the death of 18th-century musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. From the vantage point of an insane asylum, aging royal composer Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) recalls the events of three decades earlier, when the young Mozart (Tom Hulce) first gained favor in the court of Austrian emperor Joseph II (Jeffrey Jones). Salieri was incensed that God would bless so vulgar and obnoxious a young snipe as Mozart with divine genius. Why was Salieri--so disciplined, so devoted to his art, and so willing to toady to his superiors--not touched by God? Unable to match Mozart's talent, Salieri uses his influence in court to sabotage the young upstart's career. Disguising himself as a mysterious benefactor, Salieri commissions the backbreaking "Requiem," which eventually costs Mozart his health, wealth, and life. Among the film's many pearls of dialogue, the best line goes to the Emperor, who rejects a Mozart composition on the grounds that it has "too many notes." Amadeus won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham. In 2002, the film received a theatrical re-release as "Amadeus: The Director's Cut," a version that includes 20 minutes of additional footage. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

F. Murray Abraham - Antonio Salieri
Tom Hulce - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Elizabeth Berridge - Constance Mozart
Simon Callow - Emanuel Schikaneder
Roy Dotrice - Leopold Mozart

Was Mozart really mad? This epic film directed by Milos Forman tries to answer that question, while recreating the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's adult life, told through the eyes of his competitor, Antonio Salieri. Tom Hulce makes a suitably bawdy Mozart, while F. Murray Abraham won an Academy award for his portrayal of Salieri. Amadeus also won Best Picture for 1984, thanks in part to Saul Zaentz's lavish production. The sets and costumes in this film are richly detailed, giving a glimpse into the courtly world of 1781 Europe. Fans of classical music will find the enhanced score with remastered Dolby 5.1 Sound is much improved over the video release. Presented in a widescreen format, the picture and detail of the scenes is also vastly improved over the video version. This DVD celebrates the music of both Mozart and Salieri, and also strongly highlights the scoring of Sir Neville Marriner. While the remastered sound is a premium feature on this DVD, and an enjoyable highlight, the rest of the extra features don't add nearly as much. Viewers will find production notes, a theatrical trailer, interactive menus, and little else. Language and subtitle options are available in English and French. ~ Sherril Steele-Carlin, All Movie Guide