Even though I typically only watch The Director's Cut of this film, this version is still good to have. For one, it's the original theatrical cut of the movie that was released back in 1984, second, it has a feature that the two-disc director's cut does not have: an optional isolated music-only track that plays along with the film. It's great because it features music that has never been included on any of the various soundtrack album permutations that have been released over the years.

Now, if Warner Bros. would just hurry up and blu-ray this sucker, everything will be good.

This movie was one of the best Hollywood has ever produced. I do not have to repeat the salient features one more time, as scores of reviewers already did that.

However, what disturbed me was this. This movie was based on historical facts. I am very sad to say that, the director, to elevate Mozart's greatness, went great lengths to put down Maestro Salieri to the extent that he showed Salieri having difficulty in composing a small welcome march to Mozart. That was the height of inaccuracy. No one becomes a court composer for nothing. Salieri did produce some of the great compositions of his time.

Based on Mozart's allegations of victimization, lot of research went in to find the truth behind them and found that Salieri was jealous but at no point he thwarted Mozart's chances of ascending into the greatness or gaining opportunities. In fact, the movie rightly portrayed that most of Mozart's financial problems, and missed opportunites were due to his lifestyle.

My point is this: Mozart would still stand great, and he was the best original musician the world has ever witnessed even when you set historical facts straight.

I found that the film was not at all as I expected- a staid Merchant-Ivory type production mixed with a hint of Masterpiece Theater. This was both good and bad. On the positive side is the very dramatic structure of the film, being told from Mozart's inferior rival's, Antonio Salieri's (F. Murray Abraham), point of view. On the down side is the over the top performance by Tom Hulce, as Mozart, especially with that pointlessly distracting guffaw. Also, as the DVD delineates which scenes were altered, extended, or added in toto, it becomes obvious that director Milos Forman's original cut was the superior, as none of the added scenes adds palpably to the thrust of the film. Yes, I liked the added scene of Mozart's wife, Constanze (Elizabeth Berridge), getting naked to try to sexually please Salieri, to advance her husband's career, for Berridge was certainly a major hotty with the body back then, but, despite my prurient interest, the scene is pointless.... Unfortunately, in either version, this is nowhere near a great film. It's a fun, solid romp, but the American accents and slang that infiltrate Eighteenth Century Viennese society are just too much, as is Hulce as Mozart. No, a staid portrayal of the man would have been dull, but a genius as idiot savant, or a step above, is not worthy of this dramatic treatment, either. That it only heightens Salieri's frustration is dramatically defensible, but since the whole notion of Salieri's envy and hatred of Mozart is a historical fiction, there really was no reason to go so over the top in the first place.
The rest of the cast does fairly well. Berridge as the clueless wife, Jeffrey Jones, as Emperor Joseph, is a dolt with a heart, who doesn't understand how to run his own life, much less a nation....All in all, I would recommend the film, but as a light diversion, not a serious inquiry in to art nor the artistic mindset. That film has yet to be made.

Amadeus is a gripping drama based on the wonderful play by Peter Shaffer. This is an unforgettable film which explores the universal theme of mediocrity in the face of greatness. Antonio Salieri, (F. Murry Abraham), is court composer in the court of Emperor Charles of Vienna. He is loved by everyone and esteemed because of his musical creations. However, a new genius comes on the scene: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, (Tom Hulse). Salieri immediately recognizes the genius of this extraordinary man, although he is appalled by his brusque and uncouth manner. Salieri's admiration is surpassed by his consuming jealousy, and he will stop at nothing to destroy his rival. This movie brings into question the fairness of divine justice. Why are some people blessed with greatness while others have to struggle? Salieri angrily questions God as he prepares to exact revenge upon Him through abusing His instrument. "You say God is not mocked. I say: Man is not mocked!"
This film is truly exceptional! All of the performers portray their characters excellently, particularly Abraham, who won a well-deserved Oscar. The movie contains beautifully rendered examples of Mozart's work, and portrays the characters as human beings. We can all relate to these characters: Salieri, the mediocre and overlooked individual brings to mind all of our failures. Abraham makes us empathize with this despicable individual. Hulce makes us feel empathy for Mozart because we witness his fall from greatness into despair as a result of his poverty.
Please give this film a chance.

The Director's version added about thirty minutes and a fair amount of information. It's a beautiful film that deals with brilliance, mediocrity, jealousy, obsession, and tragedy. What's not to like! Thank you Amazon.com. Rich