Amadeus

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.

Cast:

Year - Presenter		Award Category		Result		Name
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Actor		Winner		F. Murray Abraham
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Adapted Screenplay		Winner		Peter Shaffer
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Art Direction - Set Decoration		Winner		Not Applicable
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Costume Design		Winner		Not Applicable
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Director		Winner		Milos Forman
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Makeup		Winner		Dick Smith
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Picture		Winner		Not Applicable
1984 - Academy Awards		Best Sound		Winner		Not Applicable

"...An unexpected and strangely moving spectacle..." -- Gilbert Adair , (Sight and Sound)

"...[Hulce] gets better and better....[Forman] has preserved the fascinating heart of [the play]....Well done." -- Vincent Canby , (New York Times)

"...AMADEUS is loaded with pleasures....[Abraham] is quietly excellent..." -- Cart. , (Variety)

"...Milos Forman's opulent drama is sheer quality..." -- Ceri Thomas , (Total Film)

"A class act." -- Uncut Staff , (Uncut)

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