Revisiting AMADEUS
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The 1984 release of Amadeus garnered eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. Directed by Milos Forman from a screenplay adaptation by Peter Shaffer, this story about noted musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is not a biographical account. Instead, amid a swirl of 18th Century politics and religion, Amadeus offers viewers two treats: a richly intriguing drama and a celebration of the wonderful music created by Mozart. The recent release of the director’s cut adds 20 additional minutes to the 1984 film.
Scripted from the London stage play Amadeus, also by Shaffer, the story strives to show the idiosyncrasies of the man-child everyone knew as Amadeus. Tom Hulce plays Amadeus perfectly. He shows us those endearing and annoying traits that charmed or irritated so many – his hilarious laugh, his insatiable appetite for women and his propensity to party. Yet Hulce is also remarkable at revealing Amadeus’ conflict about religion, his struggle to maintain and manage his rare talent, and his ongoing battle over his father’s never ending control over him.
Equally brilliant in the film is F. Murray Abraham (Best Actor Oscar-winner for this role) as Antonio Salieri, the jealous 18th Century composer who is one of the first to recognize Amadeus’ true talent -- and yet at the same time, a man quite envious of the young musician. Working himself up to the position of Court Composer for Emperor Joseph II, Salieri has become one of the most famous musicians in Vienna. By the time Amadeus makes his way to Vienna, his reputation as a child prodigy precedes him, and everyone wants to see what the musician has to offer. While many find his work sublime, Salieri easily works behind the scenes, using friendships in high places to undermine Amadeus’ work. When Amadeus’ wife, Constanze (Elizabeth Berridge), comes begging for Salieri to offer Amadeus some work that will help pay their bills, Salieri agrees, but only if she will pleasure him with sexual favors (shown briefly in this director’s cut).
Amadeus, growing desperate and out of control, soon entrusts his very survival to the man who wishes him gone – Salieri. And it is Salieri, as an old man committed to a hospital and long past his struggles with God, who admits he killed Amadeus.
Amadeus, The Director’s Cut is a rewarding pictorial of a fascinating time – its culture, music and notable people. Part of the new 20-minute musical addition may be a little laborious, but the film certainly deserves to be seen again on the big screen.
(Released by Warner Bros. and rated "R" for brief nudity. The 1984 Amadeus received a "PG" rating.)