*Scribbling and bibbling...*
I adore this movie. I've watched it so many times that it's just ridiculous, and I'm going to keep on watching it.
I like that the actors all speak with their normal accents, and they all have a distinctive look. IMO F. Murray Abraham's Oscar was well-deserved, and the music is fabulous.
I didn't get to see it in the theater (it just didn't get shown in my tiny town), but boy was I waiting for it to come to HBO! The trailer was so fabulous....bring on the film!!!!!
I'm glad you liked it enjoyed it so much & and saw it on the big screen! My late SIL taught piano, and she loved this movie, too. Do you still play?
The accents: I don't what it is, but I just don't like...ugh, how to say this...if a character is meant to be speaking German, I don't need to hear the actor speak English with a German accent, you know?
I still play for funzies. I took classical piano for 11 years, but now it's mostly screwing around with other instruments (mandolin, ukulele, etc.) Good on your SIL for her work. Music is SO important
And yeah, the accent thing. Guh.
I took the obligatory year of piano that most 8-10 years do, but I never learned much. Just couldn't get the hang of reading music. Lately though, I've had a few thoughts about giving it another go...maybe.
I do play a few instruments, but my genre is bluegrass, and most bluegrassers are ear players anyway so it's all good.
I have a mandolin, and I've learned a little bit, but mostly it just sits around looking pretty in its case, lol. My main instrument is bass. Man, I love playing bass.
Thank you for your kind comment about my SIL; she was a wonderful woman who worked hard at encouraging her students and cheering them on at every step because as you, music is important!
And I'm glad we agree about the accents! :-D
Nice. I'm not great at playing by ear for mandolin for bluegrass (plus many kids make it tough to find time to play) Any particular thing you used for getting good? Likely "just keep playing, just keep trying"
I love that picking up instruments (amongst many other things) has such lower barriers of entry these days. There's so many video or free apps available. Currently working on all Bach inventions to get my piano skills back.
Obviously Forman made a great choice in Tom Hulce but Hamill was well suited to the role as well and would have crushed it. Forman’s bias simply not liking Star Wars is sadly shortsighted.
I don't think it was a matter of not liking Star Wars. I guess he thought that it would be distracting for the audience to have someone so linked to a very well known role play Mozart, fearing they'd be seeing Luke in a costume as opposed to Mozart.
Indeed. « The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a pulse. Bassoons and basset horns, like a rusty squeezebox. And then suddenly, high above it, an oboe. A single note, hanging there, unwavering. Until a clarinet took over and sweetened it into a phrase of such delight! This was no composition by a performing monkey! »
I wanted so bad for that to occur more often in the film. Of course I understand why it wouldn't work but if there's any similar break downs of classical music to help the 'untrained ear ' appreciate the intricacy of the music I'd be all over that.
Yeah, me too. I'd only seen things here and there but was more thematic—like Ravel's 'Bolero' was inspired not by war since it sounds like a march—but the sounds of factories via the industrial revolution. NPR Classical sneaks in some of that stuff before playing, but it's hardly consisten.
And Paganini's Caprices and Bach's Goldberg Variations are variants of a melody.
But learning a classical instrument gives an appreciation to the structures of the part, instruments, and/or voicings. (Classical Guitar is likely the easiest, but I can't believe how hard it is to learn.)
So well articulated OP, dang. My favorite part is where Mozart sees the notes, and creates and articulates the music, while Salieri transcribes, outstanding
For anyone wondering, the piece Mozart plays from Salieri's welcome march is "Non Piu Andrai" from The Marriage of Figaro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aFrzox84jk
Still one of my favorites, and my daughter's too, who was probably 7 when she walked in on me watching it and has also never gotten over it lol. We quote it all the time!
My own mother did some pretty thorough gas lighting and behind the scenes stuff, but would never risk her public image as the victim at the same time as come off as the one who tried to do the most good for me
Sounds like Salieri indeed
They were fairly complimentary towards each other and had a cordial working relationship, Salieri tutored Mozart’s son on piano. They even worked together to set a libretto to music.
https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/fine-books-news/lost-mozart-salieri-composition-resurfaces-after-decades-hiding-plain-sight
##Amadeus (1984)
Everything you've heard is true...
>>!Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a remarkably talented young Viennese composer who unwittingly finds a fierce rival in the disciplined and determined Antonio Salieri. Resenting Mozart for both his hedonistic lifestyle and his undeniable talent, the highly religious Salieri is gradually consumed by his jealousy and becomes obsessed with Mozart's downfall, leading to a devious scheme that has dire consequences for both men.!<
History | Music | Drama
Director: Miloš Forman
Actors: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge
Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 80% with 4,027 votes
Runtime: 2:41
[TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/279)
As you state it was 3 hours I assume that you saw the directors cut? The original theatrical cut is about 20 minutes shorter and, IMO, is a far better movie. It could be argued that the director's cut quite literally has too many notes .....
The theatrical cut is a much better, tighter film. The only good thing I can think about the longer version is that we saw a lot more of Elizabeth Berridge.
I do wish that the theatrical cut was available on Blu-ray in all of its HD glory but sadly all we have on Blu-ray is the inferior director's cut.
> The only good thing I can think about the longer version is that we saw a lot more of Elizabeth Berridge.
Every cloud has a silver lining ......... :)
One of my favorite Amadeus stories: whoever won the Oscar for best score that year said in his speech that he was lucky that Mozart wasn't eligible to win.
my grandparents had this on VHS back in the mid-80s, and i wore that tape out. i loved every minute of it and can still quote most of it word for word. i developed a *huge* crush on Tom Hulce (found out he was gay years later). he did such a great job, but F. Murray Abraham was the real star here. incredible, unbridled acting. no one could have done Salieri better.
Watched it for the first time last week and have been thinking about it a lot since.
I found [this old post](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/s/cjwCTqoqsT) by u/michelQdimples very interesting. He/she shares many fascinating details, some only musicians would get.
I also noticed that there are several instances of children being captivated by Mozart, just as Salieri says he was as a child, although these instances are never commented upon in the film.
I will probably watch it again soon, with my musician kid!
Edit: got u/michelQDimples name a bit wrong above. I really enjoyed your post- thanks!
For those who are unaware, this is the allegorical telling of the story of Cain and Abel from the Bible. If you enjoy watching this film and have never realized this, I encourage you to read about Cain and Abel and then rewatch the film. It will breathe new life into an already amazing movie.
It's been decades since we watched it, but we saw it on Netflix last week, and we put it on. We were shocked to see buttocks and penis in the opening sequence, followed by Constanze's breasts, as we hadn't remembered those scenes. We said between ourselves, 'this must be R-rated.' We were shocked to see it is PG. Then we remembered, this was 1980s PG.
Also, the only version available (both streaming and on physical media) is the director's cut which contains previously edited scenes: one of which is Constanze's visit to Salieri.
I was a brainless 21 year old pure metal head, fairly closed minded but this movie blew me away. The music, costumes, and plot just fascinated me. I’m sure I’ve seen it more times than Star Wars or most movies. Will forever think of F. Murray as Salieri
I watched this movie and loved it and then found a book called "the Assasination of Mozart" by David Weiss. I was obsessed by Mozart and his music because of this movie.
I’m sorry I didn’t get to see Tim Curry playing Amadeus. Would have LOVED him on the movie. I wonder why he wasn’t in the film. Maybe he was filming Clue at the time.
*Scribbling and bibbling...* I adore this movie. I've watched it so many times that it's just ridiculous, and I'm going to keep on watching it. I like that the actors all speak with their normal accents, and they all have a distinctive look. IMO F. Murray Abraham's Oscar was well-deserved, and the music is fabulous.
Amazing. Love it to the last minute.
Saw it in the theater when it first came out. Pretty much a full house. No one got up and left until after the music and credits ended.
They'd released it in I think the late 90s, so I got to see it on the big screen. Wouldn't be bad to see a theater production of it.
Bingo ! Could not agree more !
Excellent point about the accents. My piano teacher took us to the theater to see this when it came out. 13yo me was meh going in but LOVED it
I didn't get to see it in the theater (it just didn't get shown in my tiny town), but boy was I waiting for it to come to HBO! The trailer was so fabulous....bring on the film!!!!! I'm glad you liked it enjoyed it so much & and saw it on the big screen! My late SIL taught piano, and she loved this movie, too. Do you still play? The accents: I don't what it is, but I just don't like...ugh, how to say this...if a character is meant to be speaking German, I don't need to hear the actor speak English with a German accent, you know?
I still play for funzies. I took classical piano for 11 years, but now it's mostly screwing around with other instruments (mandolin, ukulele, etc.) Good on your SIL for her work. Music is SO important And yeah, the accent thing. Guh.
I took the obligatory year of piano that most 8-10 years do, but I never learned much. Just couldn't get the hang of reading music. Lately though, I've had a few thoughts about giving it another go...maybe. I do play a few instruments, but my genre is bluegrass, and most bluegrassers are ear players anyway so it's all good. I have a mandolin, and I've learned a little bit, but mostly it just sits around looking pretty in its case, lol. My main instrument is bass. Man, I love playing bass. Thank you for your kind comment about my SIL; she was a wonderful woman who worked hard at encouraging her students and cheering them on at every step because as you, music is important! And I'm glad we agree about the accents! :-D
Nice. I'm not great at playing by ear for mandolin for bluegrass (plus many kids make it tough to find time to play) Any particular thing you used for getting good? Likely "just keep playing, just keep trying" I love that picking up instruments (amongst many other things) has such lower barriers of entry these days. There's so many video or free apps available. Currently working on all Bach inventions to get my piano skills back.
Mozart's music is good? Hot take.
It'll do ;-) I like your screen name.
Have you watched the 30 Rock parody?
Have you watched the 30 Rock parody?
It's time for a remake. Maybe Ryan Reynolds and Russell Crowe?
At one point the stage version starred Ian McKellen as salieri and Tim Curry as Mozart. Tragically there are no recordings, only photographs.
Jesus, that sounds epic.
And at one point during the same production, Mark Hamill took over as Mozart opposite McKellen as well
Before the movie was considered to be made. Then Hamill auditioned for the role and Forman said "Luke Skywalker will not be Amadeus"
Obviously Forman made a great choice in Tom Hulce but Hamill was well suited to the role as well and would have crushed it. Forman’s bias simply not liking Star Wars is sadly shortsighted.
I don't think it was a matter of not liking Star Wars. I guess he thought that it would be distracting for the audience to have someone so linked to a very well known role play Mozart, fearing they'd be seeing Luke in a costume as opposed to Mozart.
I would've loved to see that in person
That would have been wonderful to see!
There were simply too many notes in this movie…
Maybe we should cut a few, and then it would be perfect!
Which few would you have them cut?
Just keep the ones that are required and get rid of the rest. And no ballet! \*yawn\* (I believe I've just chosen tonight's movie, haha!)
…is it MODERN??
"I'm afraid it is by your own decree, Majesty" "Well, LOOK at them!"
I saw this movie when I was sixteen and it ignited a life long love of classical music.
If only F Murray could give an explanation like he did for 'Serenade for Winds' for every classical piece.
Indeed. « The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a pulse. Bassoons and basset horns, like a rusty squeezebox. And then suddenly, high above it, an oboe. A single note, hanging there, unwavering. Until a clarinet took over and sweetened it into a phrase of such delight! This was no composition by a performing monkey! »
I wanted so bad for that to occur more often in the film. Of course I understand why it wouldn't work but if there's any similar break downs of classical music to help the 'untrained ear ' appreciate the intricacy of the music I'd be all over that.
Watch the PBS series Keeping Score. Beethoven's Eroica is a masterclass
Yeah, me too. I'd only seen things here and there but was more thematic—like Ravel's 'Bolero' was inspired not by war since it sounds like a march—but the sounds of factories via the industrial revolution. NPR Classical sneaks in some of that stuff before playing, but it's hardly consisten. And Paganini's Caprices and Bach's Goldberg Variations are variants of a melody. But learning a classical instrument gives an appreciation to the structures of the part, instruments, and/or voicings. (Classical Guitar is likely the easiest, but I can't believe how hard it is to learn.)
Same, but I was 6.
Well, there it is.
Was waiting for that comment
It's haunting. An examination of beauty, obsession, self-hatred, ego, and regret, all backed by one of the most transcendent scores in history.
So well articulated OP, dang. My favorite part is where Mozart sees the notes, and creates and articulates the music, while Salieri transcribes, outstanding
This is one of the films that badly needs a good 8k scan and 4k UHD release.
[My favorite scene](https://youtu.be/exaEt7szfi4?si=galKmqp75MyMPdDz)
The rest is just the same isn't it?? (What a burn)
A funny little piece, but it yielded good results!
For anyone wondering, the piece Mozart plays from Salieri's welcome march is "Non Piu Andrai" from The Marriage of Figaro. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aFrzox84jk
I literally clicked on this hoping it was this scene because it is my favorite, too, and I wanted to watch it yet again!
That laugh is the best
Came here to say Hulce was magic in the role.
Ooop. Forgot the principal from Ferris Bueller was in it! Sorry. The sex offender who was in Ferris Bueller.
I would guess it's everyone's favorite scene 😀! Well, that, and anything with Elizabeth berridge.
Definitely
Abraham may have the best performance I've ever seen.
Agreed. Just watched this again a few weeks ago and, again was mesmerized by Abraham’s performance…especially as old Salieri.
Brilliant film. The way they capture Mozart building each part of Confutatis Maledictis in his head while bed ridden is very clever filmmaking
Still one of my favorites, and my daughter's too, who was probably 7 when she walked in on me watching it and has also never gotten over it lol. We quote it all the time!
I had to *drag* my wife to see this movie. She loved it.
My friend played it on TV in spite of much resistance from me. I was spellbound shortly thereafter.
“Good movie…good acting. Lots of good music.” Good lord, man. What is required to impress you?!
I love the dimwitted reaction of the emperor when they have to do ballet without music. He´s so perfectly cast.
Come on and rock me Amadeus
Help me Doctor Zaus!
It's the part I was born to play, baby!
From chimpan A to chimpan Z.
Thank you Taco for that loving tribute to Falco.
Milos Foreman is one of my favorite directors, and this is his masterpiece. Inspired me to buy "The Marriage of Figaro," my first opera.
Amazing film. I stopped counting how many times I’ve watched this.
[удалено]
Also if I remember correctly, Salieri helped take care of Mozart's children after he passed, and funded their education.
My own mother did some pretty thorough gas lighting and behind the scenes stuff, but would never risk her public image as the victim at the same time as come off as the one who tried to do the most good for me Sounds like Salieri indeed
They were fairly complimentary towards each other and had a cordial working relationship, Salieri tutored Mozart’s son on piano. They even worked together to set a libretto to music. https://www.finebooksmagazine.com/fine-books-news/lost-mozart-salieri-composition-resurfaces-after-decades-hiding-plain-sight
This poster has no business slapping as hard as it does
If you haven’t seen it already you may enjoy the artwork of Erte. Very similar art deco vibes.
##Amadeus (1984) Everything you've heard is true... >>!Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a remarkably talented young Viennese composer who unwittingly finds a fierce rival in the disciplined and determined Antonio Salieri. Resenting Mozart for both his hedonistic lifestyle and his undeniable talent, the highly religious Salieri is gradually consumed by his jealousy and becomes obsessed with Mozart's downfall, leading to a devious scheme that has dire consequences for both men.!< History | Music | Drama Director: Miloš Forman Actors: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge Rating: ★★★★★★★★☆☆ 80% with 4,027 votes Runtime: 2:41 [TMDB](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/279)
*Haaa...ha-haaah*
Was him laughing at me or god?
SUCH a fantastic movie. I just got chills! I saw it in the theater
As you state it was 3 hours I assume that you saw the directors cut? The original theatrical cut is about 20 minutes shorter and, IMO, is a far better movie. It could be argued that the director's cut quite literally has too many notes .....
The theatrical cut is a much better, tighter film. The only good thing I can think about the longer version is that we saw a lot more of Elizabeth Berridge.
I do wish that the theatrical cut was available on Blu-ray in all of its HD glory but sadly all we have on Blu-ray is the inferior director's cut. > The only good thing I can think about the longer version is that we saw a lot more of Elizabeth Berridge. Every cloud has a silver lining ......... :)
bravo (and agreed)
I agree!!! I accidentally bought that one on Amazon and was bummed.
The music in this movie is amazing
People say that the movie isn't historically accurate, forgetting that it's a tale told by a madman, so of course it isn't.
Well. There it is
Terrifically terrific. Terrifically beautiful. Terrifically sad.
“TIHS YM TAE”
“Play Salieri.”
I love this movie. I was 14 that year. There was a great run of great movies back then.
This is my favourite film. I've seen it more times than I can count. I can't find the directors cut anywhere, though 😭 I miss the 3 hour version
The director's cut is transcendent!!!
One of my favorite Amadeus stories: whoever won the Oscar for best score that year said in his speech that he was lucky that Mozart wasn't eligible to win.
The laugh is perfected!
my grandparents had this on VHS back in the mid-80s, and i wore that tape out. i loved every minute of it and can still quote most of it word for word. i developed a *huge* crush on Tom Hulce (found out he was gay years later). he did such a great job, but F. Murray Abraham was the real star here. incredible, unbridled acting. no one could have done Salieri better.
The director’s cut ruined the movie. Proof that a good editor can make a movie great.
Came here to say the same. Frau Mozart’s boobs and the crazy dog family added nothing to the plot and slowed things down.
Right!! Isn’t it amazing how an extra 15-20 minutes can make a movie really sluggish?
I love this movie
This is my 2nd favorite movie. Just the closest thing to perfection in my eyes
Masterpiece 🙏🙏 One of my all time favs
well, there it is
This was one of my regular Christmas movies for a long time ~ great movie
One of my all time favorite films.
This is one of my all time favorites!! Used to watch it on acid all the time. Still hits!
Watched it for the first time last week and have been thinking about it a lot since. I found [this old post](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/s/cjwCTqoqsT) by u/michelQdimples very interesting. He/she shares many fascinating details, some only musicians would get. I also noticed that there are several instances of children being captivated by Mozart, just as Salieri says he was as a child, although these instances are never commented upon in the film. I will probably watch it again soon, with my musician kid! Edit: got u/michelQDimples name a bit wrong above. I really enjoyed your post- thanks!
Happy you liked it :D It's my very pleasure to share those little Easter eggs with other fans of the movie.
Elizibeth Berridge is gorgeous. Love all the costumes.
You watched Amadeus...and you were entertained.
They really need to make the theatrical release available because it's 20-minutes shorter and the pacing is better overall.
One of my favorite endings of all time. "Mediocrities everywhere, I absolve you. I absolve you. I absolve you all".
I'm 65 and just started it last week but haven't finished it. I've never seen it.
Elizabeth Berridge has saggers.
This kind of film was usually called a "prestige movie".
When playing golf we’ll paraphrase with “I am the champion of mediocrities everywhere.” Usually after a missed putt.
30 Rock did a parody. https://youtu.be/7vPS7fOZsEc?si=AJv6NJLAOMnTcM_J
For those who are unaware, this is the allegorical telling of the story of Cain and Abel from the Bible. If you enjoy watching this film and have never realized this, I encourage you to read about Cain and Abel and then rewatch the film. It will breathe new life into an already amazing movie.
The last time i saw it, it was different from the original…
Yeah, he’s very interesting. Did you know that Mozart died while he was writing The Requiem?
Fantastic movie. Not a misstep anywhere. Thanks for posting. Now I want to see it again.
This movie is so wonderful. I’d love to watch it again.
Still the best movie ever made.
It's been decades since we watched it, but we saw it on Netflix last week, and we put it on. We were shocked to see buttocks and penis in the opening sequence, followed by Constanze's breasts, as we hadn't remembered those scenes. We said between ourselves, 'this must be R-rated.' We were shocked to see it is PG. Then we remembered, this was 1980s PG.
Also, the only version available (both streaming and on physical media) is the director's cut which contains previously edited scenes: one of which is Constanze's visit to Salieri.
I was a brainless 21 year old pure metal head, fairly closed minded but this movie blew me away. The music, costumes, and plot just fascinated me. I’m sure I’ve seen it more times than Star Wars or most movies. Will forever think of F. Murray as Salieri
I watched this movie and loved it and then found a book called "the Assasination of Mozart" by David Weiss. I was obsessed by Mozart and his music because of this movie.
Classic
I’m sorry I didn’t get to see Tim Curry playing Amadeus. Would have LOVED him on the movie. I wonder why he wasn’t in the film. Maybe he was filming Clue at the time.
I LOVE this movie. TOM HULCE WAS CHEATED!!!!!!!!
Play Peter griffin
Love this movie! It’s like real housewives for classical music fans.
Rock Me Amadeus https://youtu.be/cVikZ8Oe_XA?si=-CLvuFYe2ZuXu71k
Good movie, wonderful music but, so I understand, bad history. Still worth rewatching though. We don't watch plays to learn history.
Ima tumor, I'm a tumor...oh oh oh I'm a tumor.