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

I recently watched AMADEUS for the second time and was amazed by what a perfect film it is. Totally historically accurate to the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart? No, but the script faithfully follows the basic facts of his life and death with a heavy dose of speculation. Tom Hulce is simply wonderful as Mozart and he believably creates a vulgar, annoying (who can forget that awful laugh?)often socially clueless little man who still fulfills the meaning of his second name "Amadeus" in being beloved by God at least in terms of musical talent. F. Murray Abraham is perfect as Austrian Emperor Joseph's, court composer, Salieri. Salieri possessed social skills, musical talent and training, burning ambition and at least in the beginning piousness. It seems plausible that Salieri's realization of himself as a mediocre composer compared to the musically great though often bizarre Mozart could have driven him to obsession and madness. The costumes and interior furnishings in the film are beautiful and the Prague filming location which stands in for Vienna fully creates the atmosphere of an 18th century European city. Though Hulce and Abraham are the obvious acting standouts the rest of the film is very well cast. I'm no music scholar but Mozart's music which comprises the score seems to be perfectly presented. And the scenes from his operas are so well recreated in the original 18th century manner that they alone are reason enough to watch the film. Yet the rich universal themes are the biggest strengths of AMADEUS. It is a movie that can be enjoyed by those who think they hate classical music or films with historical settings.

This is an enjoyable if grossly historically distorted account of Mozart and those around him. Please remember not to believe it! The pianist Moscheles who visited Salieri during his last illness in 1825 related that he tearfully protested his innocence to the last! Here we are continuing to believe in this nonsense.
Mozart's letters show him capable of vulgarites, but nonetheless reflects a generally sober and ambitious young man at times too full of himself, and prone to imaginary enemies, like his dad Leopold. Thus rivals are unnecessarily maligned e.g Clementi, and in this movie, Salieri. Contrary to the portrayal, Salieri was a prodigy, if not on such dimensions as Mozart. He was extremely successful as a composer, not quite overshadowed by Mozart in the 1780's yet, and considered by Gluck to be his true heir (indeed a fair assessment). At the time of Mozart's death, both Mozart and Salieri had fallen out of favour at court, since the new emperor Leopold II had no time for them but prefered his own favourite Cimarosa. Thus indeed there was no reason for Salieri to murder Mozart! In fact during this time they actually became good friends. Only some time after Mozart's death did senseless and malicious rumours start to spread about Salieri's poisoning him. It resulted in Pushkin's play, Dargomizshky's opera, and now in our times Amadeus. In fact Mozart died of overwork because he was trying to make enough money to support his expensive lifestyle (he detested being looked down upon by the nobility). What do we know of the true Salieri? He was highly respected, and Beethoven sought in out as a teacher. He was also generous towards his pupils, giving lessons to Schubert and young Liszt for free because they could not afford the fees.
Constanze did not fsir so badly. But still there were untruths, such as she abandoning him during his illness. He only fell ill after she returned from her treatment at the spa (yes she was ill, not going for fun). After his death, she proved to be an astute business woman and great custodian of his music, ensuring not only his lasting fame but also that their children were never in want. The world thought badly of her as a result of her father-in-law's and sister-in-law's relentless campaign against her.

Having always liked the movie Amadeus...I foung the directors cut to be better than the theater version. There is about 20 minutes of additional footage that explains a bit more of the movie.

The "director's cut of AMADEUS is terrible IMHO.

How someone could transform an exciting, exhilariting movie like the original theatrical release of AMADEUS into a depressing, sad, bio is beyond my ability to understand.

Remember how Apocalypse Now was transformed into Apocalypse Redux? And how good the redux version was?

The Director's cut of AMADEUS is like the original cut of Apocalypse Now. Dark and depressing. If this version was edited by Milos Forman himself then he must have some serious issues.

I expected joy from THE DIRECTOR'S CUT of AMADEUS but received an honest rendition of absolute sadness. What can I say? It was just very sad.

It makes you understand the worth of film edting.

I'm sorry to have to write this, but that's the way it is. Only buy this cut if you're on prozac.

HOW ON EARTH DID THIS VERSION OF AMADEUS EVER FIND IT'S WAY ONTO A DVD?

Astonishing.

RD

This version of "Amadeus" was fabulously disappointing. The writing in the extra scenes are atrociously bad. They don't flow at all and they are so badly written they make what was left in the theatrical version look bad. It's amazing to see how they made a Best Picture out of this movie.

The extra scenes are also dull, obviously written to flesh out a plot that didn't need fleshing out- you can infer everything these scenes add, or, make your own interpretation of Salieri's motivations and character. In this way, the scenes insult the intelligence of the viewer. And they're boring too! They slow the pace of the movie down, and it's far less exciting. That's something the theatrical version did well - it was very exciting.

For people who know the original well, you're not missing anything with the Director's Cut.

For people who have never seen Amadeus, at least see the theatrical version first.

This DVD is super, what more is there to say. May not be historically accurate throughout, but it's a great way to introduce classical music to young people. Love it, recommend it.

This is a great film. I missed the theatrical premiere of Amadeus in 1984 as I wrongly assumed that it was a thinly veiled documentary on the life of Mozart. AMADEUS is a beautiful film that succeeds in adding depth to the two main characters. It is not a musical documentary.

AMADEUS was derived from the 1979 play of the same name and is loosely based on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The film focuses on the alleged rivalry between young Mozart and the Viennese Court Composer Antonio Salieri. The story is told from the point of view of an aging Salieri. In the movie Salieri, committed to an asylum after attempting suicide, confesses Mozart's murder to a priest. In doing so Salieri recounts his association with Mozart and thus the story of Mozart's rise and fall.

In watching the film you find no hard evidence of a homicide unless murder is defined as Salieri's infrequent attempts to stifle young Mozart's career. Indeed the only assassination activity we witness is Salieri confessing to the crime. Unlike the 1830's Russian Opera, Mozart and Salieri where there is no doubt that Salieri poisoned Mozart, the closest Salieri comes to harming Mozart is his mysterious appearance in dark costume to commission an a requiem - thus playing on Mozart's guilt over his father's death - and the all-nighter perpetrated after Mozart's collapse during the operatic The Magic Flute. The bottom line is that Salieri's plots were little more than egotistical unrealized schemes and boasts of unfair divine intervention.

AMADEUS can hardly be considered biographical other than occasional inclusion of historical events. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was admirably portrayed Tom Hulc, who a slightly older 20th century generation will remember as freshman Larry Kroger from 1978's ANIMAL HOUSE. Hulc played the part of Mozart stressing the composer's eccentric behavior and erratic mood swings in between his moments of genius. In Mozart we discover a composer with a musical photographic memory able to commit finished great works to paper without so much as a rough draft.
Mozart was multitalented pianist and composer of operas, symphonies, and concertos. He departs Salzburg for better prospects in Vienna. Unfortunately Mozart's inability to humble or ingratiate himself before Antonio Salieri's incurs the court composer's wrath.

F. Murray Abraham won a coveted Oscar as best actor for his portrayal of Salieri. In AMADEUS Salieri is torn between his outright admiration for the gifted young composer and his jealous envy of Mozart's talent. Salieri becomes obsessed with Mozart to the point of employing spies to report back on Mozart's work. Despite Salieri's best efforts to derail or retard Mozart's popularity with Emperor Joseph II, Mozart brazenly forces his way. As it turns out Salieri is one of Mozart's biggest fans and, though he often occupies obscure and low key vantage points at Mozart's performances, attends every one religiously.

At this point in the film we sadly witness the downfall of Mozart. The composer lives in excess of his financial means. As such he is constantly fretting about his debts, yet that does not stop him from additional binge spending. Mozart disdains the usual income generating scenarios of the day, specifically earning money through the musical tutoring of wealthy pupils, to the prolific production of works and displays of his talent at non-traditional venues such as an outdoor concert. It is a great way to advertise talent, but hardly a means to pay the rent.

Mozart is unable to come to grips with his father's disapproval of his marriage and his lifestyle. He immerses himself further into guilt after the death of his father. At this point in Amadeus, by means of the housemaid-turned-spy's report to Salieri, we are treated to the first hint that Mozart is not in good health. He is reported to be guzzling medicine by day and alcohol by night. This disclosure is the first clue that Mozart's days are numbered based on natural causes, not Salieri's baseless plots. Still Salieri formulates what he thinks will be the ultimate irony in donning Mozart's father's former costume and mask and appearing anonymously at the Mozart apartment door. In doing so he evokes both Mozart's fear and guilt over his deceased father, which only adds to Wolfgang's depression. Salieri's plan is to clandestinely commission Mozart to complete a requiem. His ultimate goal is to take possession of the completed requiem, claim it as his own work, and arrange its performance at Mozart's own funeral.

Mozart however, has the last laugh in that he is persuaded by another associate to compose a lighthearted opera. He puts aside the unfinished melancholy requiem and produces a successful performance. By this time his unknown illness has itself reached its climax and Mozart is felled during the performance. Escorted home to his empty apartment, Mozart is attended to by Salieri who offers to transcribe for Mozart and help finish the requiem. Mozart's wife, who returns only moments before an exhausted Mozart dies, foils Salieri in his attempt to snatch the requiem. The film then returns to an older Salieri recounting how his own music has been largely forgotten while Mozart's works have achieved legendary status. Adding insult to injury the maestro is then wheeled down a hallway (looking more like a dungeon) housing some of the other more obvious insane inmates of the lunatic asylum.

The AMADEUS soundtrack is chock full of beautiful segments of Mozart symphonies, concertos, and operas. The majority of the movie was lensed in (what was then) Czechoslovakia to provide period realism. The environs of Prague survived the Second World War without signficant damage and many of the historic buildings required little in the way of set dressing.

Although the film is part history and half fiction, it is a great introduction to the life and times of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. It certainly spurred me to pursue additional research on Mozart and his music.

The picture was very well cast. All parts were well acted. The DVD arrived in pristine condition and played without flaw.

This is the director's cut version of the critically acclaimed movie, "Amadeus," which premiered in 1984.

This is a wonderful movie. The acting is superb, it is visually beautiful, and of course the music is beyond words....besides, it's nice to be "historically entertained" (i.e., I learn something, but don't realize it because I'm enjoying myself).

I actually bought the movie for my grandson to enjoy when he gets older. In the meantime, my son watched it and loved it too.

I absolutely loved the movie. It is captivating to learn the level of his abilities as a musician. My son who is studying music got so much from the movie. My son was also able to explain to me how a lot of the metal music is rooted in classical music and why.

Amadeus was Mozart's middle name. It means "loved by God." The film studies the contrast between Mozart's genius and Salieri's mediocrity. It is really about Mozart's rival with Pinto from "Animal House" in a supporting role. Late in life, Salieri confesses to having poisoned Mozart. Scholars generally agree that Mozart died from Rheumatic fever, Another conspiracy theory debunked! Amadeus won 8 Academy Awards. Saul Zaentz is the producer, the guy who clashed with John Fogerty over rights to the songs Fogerty wrote for CCR. Zaentz headed Fantasy Records.

So what can really be said about a film in a review that arrives 24 years after the film's first release?

First, I cannot believe that it's already been that long. I saw this film in a theatre in England as a boy and it was one of the highlights of my movie going youth. And yes, I'm that old ... or young. Take your pick, dear reader.

So, what did become of Tom Hulce? He was absolutely shocking in this movie as a portrayal of one of the greatest composers / humans ever to live. Well, for the record Tom Hulce, kind of decided that it must be cool to put on some weight, because that's exactly what he went and did. He also became a producer doing projects of his own liking. He was also recently in Stranger Than Fiction, but if you don't look fast you just might miss him.

Regarding the film ... a lot of viewers often come away with the belief that this is an intensely accurate story about the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, which in fact it is a story about Mozart, but it is not all that accurate. This is a movie that was based upon a stage play called "Mozart and Salieri". What it does capture though, is period set design, wardrobe and atmosphere and it does it so well that any story told within this shell could be utterly believable and engrossing.

However, all these things aside, this is an incredibly strong film to say the least and one of my all time favourites. The music is beautifully woven throughout this to carry you back to the life of a would-be madman and reckless drunkard. It's a blessing that he did not wallow in obscurity and is still esteemed as highly as he is today, for WAM, so deserves it.

If you are the type of person that prefers accurate portrayals in their bio-pic features, then you should probably see Immortal Beloved, as it is about as true of an account of that Composers life as you're going to see and is wonderfully captured by Gary Oldman.

I saw this film in the theatre when it was released and thought Tom Hulce SHOULD have received the Oscar instead of "what's his name" who went on to fame because of the Oscar. Tom was ROBBED. I purchased this video to watch on my 54" flat screen. I still think Tom should have won the Oscar! But it is still a great film about Mozart.

This review refers to the shorter 153 minute version of the film, although I have also seen quite a few of the extras on the two disc special edition as well.

This is a truly epic film based on Peter Shaeffers's play, which tells the story of Mozart from the point of view of the aged Court Composer Salieri, looking back. Salieri is played by F Murray Abraham, who undoubtably steals the acting honours, if only because his performance is always entirely believeable, if not neccessarily any more factual. Tom Hulse gives a fine performance as Mozart, but I always felt that there was more artistic licence in his performance than in Abrahams.

The music is superbly performed and the operatic settings deserve special mention. Certainly this film gives you every opportunity to appreciate the extraordinary talent that Mozart was blessed with. Whether the play the film is based on is in any way factual is unknown to me but this is an irrelevance. The music and performances are fact and that is enough for me.

When I first saw this movie I rewinded it and watched it again. Everything is so great about this movie, from costumes, acting, cinema-photography and most importantly the music!!! The way the director tells the story is simply so captivating. I had never really liked classical music until I saw this movie. educational. The cast is perfect in every way. A must see, must have movie.

Amadeus laughs so much in this movie I don't know how he has time to make any music. Stop that laughing!!! The guy from Ferris Bueller was pathetic and so was the guy who played Rualfo on Star Trek Insurrection. Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!! Plop, there it is!

I cant say I know the times I saw this movie standing there on the Blockbuster stand... but believe me when I say there were a lot. What do we know about Mozart? Well, almost any human being can tell he was a great composer, but I bet you couldn't say at least 3 songs or operas made by him...
Finally a few days ago I decided to give it a chance, well I must say that I have been missing a masterpiece for quite a long time.
The music, the actors... everything is just perfect. Tom Dulce makes a perfect interpretation of Mozart, hi laugh is just so original and so unique... showing his unique personality and the fact that as almost any genius of our history, Mozart raised some enemies and was not understood by his peers.
I really liked this movie, and if you haven't seen it, you should, I know it lasts 3 hours but they are worthy. You won't find too many notes on this movie...
If you have seen it, then buy it and see it as many times as you want...
Maybe, as happen to me, you will end up wanting to know more about Mozart, because I even got some cds and a biography to read...

I have loved this movie since I was a kid. I watched it at least once a month. Needless to say, when I found out there was a director's cut I had to get it and I am so glad I did. I cherish this DVD. There are many scenes that were cut out and seeing them provided a new depth to the characters. Excellent film.

`Amadeus' was one of the most refreshing spectacles I have had the pleasure of witnessing in quite some time. I was personally blown away with what I was presented with and have thus concluded `Amadeus' to be one of the best motion pictures in the history of motion pictures. If you have not had the privilege of witnessing this powerful film then please, stop everything you are doing and track this movie down, order it straight from this webpage if you need to, but please watch this movie immediately. I don't think I've been this passionate about a single film since I saw `The Godfather' for the first time. Truly all the praise and admiration that has been associated with this masterclass of a film is well warranted. `Amadeus' is astounding from start to finish, a truly mesmerizing and utterly flawless production. Milos Forman is God; seriously.

As the film opens we meet Antonio Salieri, a man gone crazy. He is living in an asylum and claims to have murdered Mozart. In the opening scenes of the film Salieri is met by a priest who wants to hear his story and so Salieri proceeds to tell him how it was that he came to meet, grow to despise and eventually kill Mozart.

Antonio Salieri was an aspiring composer who has reached a certain level of fame as court composer to Emperor Joseph II but he has achieved nothing in comparison to the fame and recognition as the esteemed Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Salieri himself feels that Mozart's music is divine, something sent from God above (kind of the way I feel about this movie) but when he has the chance to finally meet this messenger of God he is let down. Mozart is not the noble gentlemen he had expected but instead is a pompous arrogant vile thing that sends shivers down Salieri's spine.

How could God use this disgusting man in such a beautiful and miraculous way?

It becomes apparent that the Emperor is smitten with Mozart's talent though and this bothers Salieri, not to mention others close to the Emperor. Salieri then decides that he is to make it his life goal to destroy Mozart, to strip him of his power and social standing and ruin him, yes, kill him. He concocts a plan all his own to accomplish this and sets it all in motion, waiting for the time to be right to strike and make his dreams come true.

`Amadeus', as I mentioned earlier, is perfect. I seriously cannot find a single flaw. The script is deliciously absorbing and never loses the interest of its audience. The direction is nothing short of phenomenal and the acting across the board is superb. The two leads are brilliant. F. Murray Abraham, who won the Oscar for his performance, captures the very dire frustration and conflicting emotions that drives Salieri to madness and Tom Hulce (who should have won the Oscar in my humble opinion) dominates as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, completely fleshing out his talent as well as the demons that choked out the flame that was his life. Elizabeth Berridge was sorely robbed of an Oscar nomination. Her portrayal of Mozart's doting wife Constanze is brilliantly crafted and expertly executed.

The only word I can use to describe this film is ecstasy; pure, unbridled ecstasy. Since seeing this film I've thought of nothing else and have a feeling that I will think of nothing else for quite a while still to come. Please, I beg of you, experience this film for yourself. You will not regret it.

Consider me entertained.

I'm a good test of the appeal of Amadeus. I know nothing about music. After I saw the film, I bought the sound track and set a couple of my radio buttons to classical stations. Through the years, I've probably watched the movie over twenty times; counting seeing it in theaters, on VCR tape, and on DVD. I prefer the theatrical release. Like novels, films need editors, and the Director's cut frequently just puts back in what should have remained on the floor.

I probably never would have watched the film even once if it didn't tell an interesting story, from an unusual perspective - at least for a movie. When an author begins a novel, he has to decide on a point of view. Not so with movies. The nature of the media usually dictates a distant omniscient POV. Amadeus is told from the single perspective of the antagonist.

Shooting an entire film as a flashback is a common Hollywood technique (for example: Saving Private Ryan (Special Limited Edition)), but Salieri doesn't bookend this story. He returns time and time again to remind us that he is narrating the film. Although not unique for film, this unusual technique allows us to see the amazing talent of Mozart, not from a distance, but as seen by through the eyes and ears of his contemporaries. (I'm talking about storytelling, not historical accuracy.)

Amadeus deserved the Academy Award for Best Picture. The acting, sound track, set design, costuming, and writing all work together in a rare demonstration that Hollywood occasionally produces art.
The Shut Mouth Society
The Shopkeeper

Great movie! If you' like to find out more about the Great Mozart and some of his inspirations, this movie is a must!

AMADEUS
It is important to remember that this movie, being "based" on a real person will definitely have it's theatrical additions. Keep in mind that this film is portrayed through Salieri's (the king's royal composer) eyes.
The movie accurately shows Mozart expounding upon or making better several works that were not his. Another historical accuracy was the portrayal of Mozart as a young child performing in different courts all across the country where his fame started to spread as a young, budding composer. The great thing about this movie is that it has enough historical accuracy to be an interesting fictional drama that leads the viewer to have a desire to learn more about Mozart and his life.
We found the movie to be a bit long and questionable in parts, However, overall it was very entertaining. This movie is full of the flair and brilliance accustomed to Mozart's time. The movie had many amazing costumes and the actors did a wonderful job of presenting the story.
One might ask, why Amadeus? Why not Mozart, Wolfgang, or Wolfie (as his wife calls him)? Amadeus means God's Love. The symbolism in this is not only was this Mozart's middle name, but also a recurring theme throughout the movie.
Salieri was bitter about Mozart's talents, he wanted to be able to write wonderful music, but his was only mediocre. Salieri cursed God and said that he wouldn't believe in God anymore a few times, but kept coming back to the love of god during the course of the movie so the title Amadeus is portrayed through symbolism throughout the movie.
The movie showed Mozart playing the clavier, the piano, etc. Most of the music for the movie was Mozart's and the film showed Mozart working on his operas, namely, The marriage of Figaro.
There was a constant theme of religion and of God. Salieri, a competing composer in Mozart's time, often claimed it was God's work that he had the constant desire and urge to create beautiful music but that he had been made "mute" compared to Mozart's talent. Throughout the movie, he questioned why God would work though this crude, arrogant, inappropriate person. Just the fact that the story is based on Salieri confessing to a priest is another contributing factor to this theme.
Revenge, another theme, is portrayed as Salieri strives for a way to bring about Mozart's death The interesting thing is, throughout the movie, Salieri's work is constantly being recognized by. This is a classic example of jealousy and how a person should be content with what they have.

Finally we have an excellent DVD package for an excellent film. I won't go into the details of the film since the other reviews here have already done that but we finally have an appropriate release.

The first DVD release was lousy so I waited for a better release. I hate the two-sided disc so I'm glad they got rid of that. The first release was also a bare bones disc. This gives us not only a great transfer and a one-sided, attractive looking disc set but we get a commentary and a hour long documentary on the making of the film. It comes in an attractive case too.

All appropriate for one of the best films to come out of the 1980's! Well done!

Life and music of of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Wonderous setting and costumes. Murray Abraham is amazing as the villianous Antonio Salieri. Well worthwhile adding to the the DVD library. Buy the CD for the music.

Don't buy this movie if you're looking for a FACTUAL and HISTORICAL account of Amadeus' life... if you want to get to know the "real WOLFGANG A. MOZART, this movie is not the one for you, because there are glaring factual inaccuracies. But if you realize that going in -- as I did -- you can simply sit back and appreciate the well-written thoroughly-entertaining package this movie presents.

In my opinion, It's a must-see!

This is one of the greatest films ever made. Period. Well directed, well acted, great music (obviously), and a story with characters that will wrench your heart.

No, it isn't historically accurate, for the most part. The huge storyline isn't, but a lot of little details actually are. Only musicologists care about things like that, though. But the story that is presented is wonderfully evocative and enrapturing. Any fan of film would love it.


This edition is the way to go, as well. It has restored over a half hour of original footage, including Costanze's meeting with Salieri, and Mozart's endless quest to find regular employment. The commentary is insightful and worthwhile, and all the other special features are well worth the time. Buy this. Now.

I haven't seen this film. however, my husband has and was greatly impressed with it. so I'm killing two birds with one stone by purchasing this dvd as a Christmas gift for him and being able to watch a movie that my husband enjoyed.

The greatest value of this wonderful, albeit somewhat flawed movie (due to some of its major historical inaccuracies), is that it may induce those who are not aware of Mozart's timelessly beautiful operas (especially those written during his golden years, 1781-1791) to give them a serious look.

The whole movie is very enjoyable to watch. F. Murray Abraham was great in the role of Antonio Salieri.

This movie is a truly masterpiece. Very beautifully done. I've watched it a few times and still cant get enough. Awsome!

This film certainly is entertaining; this film has its funny moments; this film has beautiful music and sets; however, this film's story is also purely fictional.

No, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was not a funny guy. Let me put it this way: while perusing a bonafide bio of Mozart, I read that an old lady once thought he was "dull." He was a rather prosaic man in person, and not at all a mad genius, and hardly a buffoon, as pictured in this film.

If anything, I've noticed a trend in which movie producers/directors, etc., all from Hollywood (no surprise there), wish to portray some of our greatest artists as debauched characters. Either this is for selling a film, or a combination of this, and jealousy. Why would you want to besmirch a great man? Because it makes you, the smaller man, look somewhat better in comparison, right?

Again, Mozart was not the same person portrayed in this film, but, if you want good entertainment, then by all means, this film is meant for that.

Movie making at its best. This somewhat forgotten classic is rarely seen on television and is worth every penny of purchase or rental.Abraham won a well deserved Oscar, yet it's Hulce who steals the show with his credible,offbeat portrayal of Mozart.Oh well, perhaps life is just as unfair today as it was in 18th century Austria. Whether or not you've seen this production, further babble from this reviewer can do nothing to heighten viewer interest. Let the show begin!

An excellent story (though not necessarily factual!) well told. F. Murray Abraham's Oscar-winning performance is remarkable. And with Mozart as the soundtrack composer, you simly can't go wrong. It is a classic that every one, particularly classical music lovers, should own.