Amadeus (1984)
Miloš Forman's Oscar-winning portrait of genius and envy, set against the opulent musical world of 18th-century Vienna.
Amadeus - Movie Information
- Original Title: Amadeus
- Release Year: 1984
- Directed by: Miloš Forman
- Type: Movie
- Genres: History, Music, Drama
- Age Rating (US): PG
- Runtime: 2h 40m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: German, Latin, Italian, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 19, 1984 (United States - PG), July 26, 2002 (United Kingdom), October 26, 1984 (Germany - 12), October 31, 1984 (France - TP), November 1, 1984 (Australia - PG), October 8, 1984 (Brazil - 14), April 4, 1985 (Mexico), December 12, 1984 (Italy - T), December 4, 1984 (Spain - A), November 23, 1985 (South Korea - ALL)
- Alternative Titles: 아마데우스 (KR), 阿瑪迪斯 (TW), Amadeus (Director's Cut) (CH), Peter Shaffer's Amadeus (US), Amadeus 2002 (CZ), Ամադեուս (AM), Amadeus (BR)
- Production Companies: The Saul Zaentz Company
- Production Countries: United States of America
Amadeus - Plot
Disciplined Italian composer Antonio Salieri becomes consumed by jealousy and resentment towards the hedonistic and remarkably talented young Salzburger composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Amadeus - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and experience the grandeur of this cinematic classic:
The Man... The Music... The Madness... The Murder... The Motion Picture.
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Amadeus - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Miloš Forman
Main Cast
- F. Murray Abraham
- Tom Hulce
- Elizabeth Berridge
- Simon Callow
- Roy Dotrice
- Christine Ebersole
- Jeffrey Jones
- Charles Kay
- Kenny Baker
- Lisbeth Bartlett
Writers
- Peter Shaffer
Producers
- Saul Zaentz
Amadeus - FAQs
What is Amadeus about?
Amadeus follows the tortured court composer Antonio Salieri, who is consumed by jealousy toward the brilliant but irreverent Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Set in 18th-century Vienna, the film explores themes of envy, divine injustice, and the crushing weight of mediocrity confronting transcendent genius. Critics consistently praise it as a profound meditation on talent and obsession.
Did Salieri really try to destroy Mozart?
The film is a dramatic fiction, not a historical documentary. While Salieri and Mozart were real contemporaries in Vienna, there is no credible historical evidence that Salieri sabotaged or poisoned Mozart. Peter Shaffer's screenplay uses their rivalry as a springboard to explore envy and the nature of genius rather than to recount verified events.
Where can you watch Amadeus right now?
You can rent or buy Amadeus on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, and Plex. It's widely available across digital platforms, so finding a copy to watch tonight should be no trouble at all.
Is there a Director's Cut of Amadeus?
Yes! Miloš Forman released a Director's Cut in 2002, running about 20 minutes longer than the original theatrical version. It restores several scenes, including a more explicit encounter between Mozart and Salieri, adding extra depth to their dynamic. Many fans consider it the definitive version of the film.
How many Oscars did Amadeus win?
Amadeus swept the 57th Academy Awards in 1985, winning eight Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director for Miloš Forman, and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham. It remains one of the most decorated films in Oscar history and is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.
Who are the main actors in Amadeus?
The film is anchored by F. Murray Abraham as the tormented Antonio Salieri and Tom Hulce as the raucous, brilliant Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Elizabeth Berridge plays Constanze Mozart, while Jeffrey Jones portrays Emperor Joseph II. Abraham's Oscar-winning performance is widely considered one of cinema's all-time great portrayals of envy.
Is Amadeus based on a true story?
Amadeus is based on Peter Shaffer's acclaimed 1979 stage play, which itself draws on historical figures. Mozart and Salieri were real people, and their professional relationship in Vienna is documented. However, the film's central narrative of deliberate sabotage and murderous jealousy is a dramatic invention rather than established historical fact.
Where was Amadeus filmed?
Despite being set in Vienna, Amadeus was filmed almost entirely in Prague, Czechoslovakia. Director Miloš Forman, himself Czech, used the city's remarkably preserved Baroque architecture to recreate 18th-century Vienna. The Stavovské divadlo (Estates Theatre), where Mozart himself once conducted, was used for several key opera sequences.
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