Amadeus
June 29, 2009 by Classical Music · Leave a Comment
The incredible story of wolfgang amadeus mozart told in flashback mode by antonio salieri - now confined to an insane asylum. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 01/08/2008 Starring: Tom Hulce Jeffrey Jones Run time: 128 minutes Rating: R
User Ratings and Reviews
2 Stars great movie - horrible mastering of dvd
the movie is stellar, the people who mastered this dvd should be ashamed. This is for the 1997 & Jan 08 re-release of this movie. I owned the 1997 release and they split the movie half on side 1, the other on side 2. I thought the re-release, which I repurchased, would have the movie on 1 side, as technology has improved immensely, it was just the same horrible sub VHS copy as my original dvd. Having the movie as a “flipper” is impractical. I hope the blue-ray release will be remastered and for those who purchase won’t be subjected to a grainy pixelated version.
Very sad to see this movie put out this way. Again brilliant movie! Horrible DVD.
5 Stars amazing
loved it. i remember watching it in europe years ago when it came out and loved it again after so many years.
5 Stars Like a gift from the gods, `Amadeus’ is simply heaven-sent…
`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.
Amadeus Directors Cut Two Disc Special Edition
May 1, 2009 by Classical Music · Leave a Comment
Amadeus Directors Cut Two Disc Special Edition
A note-perfect cinematic event whose immortality was assured from its opening night, Amadeus is an unlikely candidate for the director’s-cut treatment. Like one of Mozart’s operas, the multiple Oscar-winning theatrical version seemed perfectly formed from the outset–ideal casting, costumes, sets, cinematography, lighting, screenplay, music, music, music–so the reinstatement of an extra 20 minutes simply risks adding “too many notes.” Yet though this extended cut can hardly be said to improve a picture that needed no improvement, it does at least flesh out a couple of small subplots and shed new light on certain key scenes. Here we learn why Constanze Mozart bears such ill will towards Salieri when she discovers him at her husband’s deathbed, and we see deeper into the reasons why Mozart has no students. The structure of the picture is otherwise unaltered.
The director’s cut of Amadeus finally accords this masterful work the DVD treatment it deserves. The handsome anamorphic widescreen picture is accompanied by a choice of Dolby 5.1 or Dolby stereo sound options, and it’s all contained on one side of the disc. Director Milos Forman and writer Peter Shaffer provide a chatty though sporadic commentary, but they’re obviously still too mesmerized by the movie to do much more than offer the odd anecdote. The second disc contains an excellent new hour-long “making of” documentary, with contributions from Forman, Shaffer, Sir Neville Marriner, and all the main actors, taking in the scriptwriting, choice of music, casting, and problems involved in filming in Communist Czechoslovakia with half the crew and extras working for the Secret Police. –Mark Walker
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Amadeus
not impressed with the dvd not having a cover and coming in a plastic case with the only thing on the dvd to identify it was the small print on the disk.
5 Stars Great Movie
I really have loved this movie for years. Now i had the chance to get it in HD.
It just looks great on full HD. a bit grainy on some dark scenes but not to cry over it. love the colors, the music etc.. sadly enough my receiver is broken so i had to content myself with the osund coming out of the tv.
But this is a must if you love classical music. This version comes with a cd containg music from the movie, a booklet with pics and actors biografy and a disc that will halp you get your digital copy for mobile stuff.
Go buy it. you wont regret
5 Stars W-O-W
This movie was absolutely astounding!!!! I loved it… The costumes, the scenery, the actors and actresses… Just amazing! And the music… Indescribable! I loved how they put this together…
I’ve been studying Mozart for a while… And I won’t make any assumptions, but most of the facts were true I believe. Of course I haven’t been researching his life for years and years… But most of it is quite accurate my by studies. : )
I know Mozart was in fact very spontaneous and loved to ‘live life’ as he told his father in his letters. He also did love women as well. He ALSO was witty and had a very ‘wicked’ sense of humor. Tom Hulce played him with just the PERFECT amount of eccentricity! It was great!
I LOVE THE LAUGH TOM HULCE GAVE HIM!!!
Ahahaha!!! Ha! Ha..! Ha… Ha?
***** 5 STARS!
5 Stars Amadeus, I’ve been rocked
This movie won a lot of awards when it came out in 1984 and it’s easy to see why. Beautifully shot in Prague, Czechoslovakia, a city absolutely perfect for re-creating 18th-century Vienna; written by Peter Shaffer, based off his play of the same name, produced by Saul Zaentz, and directed by Milos Forman. This film really shines a light on its actors. Tom Hulce portrays Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and really makes one ask why he isn’t in more films. He is perfect as the cocky, brilliant, yet troubled composer. F. Murray Abraham won an Oscar for his performance as Salieri, the successful, yet mediocre antagonist.
The film really is beautiful on Blu Ray. It was shot using only natural light, and the color and shadow in HD really stand out. Detail that was lost in the VHS and DVD version comes to life. The package also includes a CD of music from the film that really is awe inspiring. If you go into the film knowing only Mozart’s name, but nothing else, you’ll end it with a deep appreciation for the man’s’ gift. The wonderful composition is even better on Blu Ray than imagined.
The whole thing comes in a hardcover book that really stands out in a collection or on its own. I got it from Amazon for fewer than twenty dollars, and it’s defiantly one of the best buys I’ve ever had. If you are looking for something to show off your HD setup with, but are tired of explosions and CG, defiantly pick this up. It’s not only one of my favorite Blu Rays; it’s one of my favorite films of all time.
5 Stars One of the best movies of all time
Amadeus is an incredible film. Mozart’s genius is aptly portrayed along side his fatal flaws. The soundtrack is beautiful too.
Amadeus
April 27, 2009 by Classical Music · Leave a Comment
The incredible story of wolfgang amadeus mozart told in flashback mode by antonio salieri - now confined to an insane asylum. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/08/2005 Starring: F. Murray Abraham Tom Hulce Run time: 158 minutes Rating: Pg Director: Milos Forman
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Amadeus
not impressed with the dvd not having a cover and coming in a plastic case with the only thing on the dvd to identify it was the small print on the disk.
5 Stars Great Movie
I really have loved this movie for years. Now i had the chance to get it in HD.
It just looks great on full HD. a bit grainy on some dark scenes but not to cry over it. love the colors, the music etc.. sadly enough my receiver is broken so i had to content myself with the osund coming out of the tv.
But this is a must if you love classical music. This version comes with a cd containg music from the movie, a booklet with pics and actors biografy and a disc that will halp you get your digital copy for mobile stuff.
Go buy it. you wont regret
5 Stars W-O-W
This movie was absolutely astounding!!!! I loved it… The costumes, the scenery, the actors and actresses… Just amazing! And the music… Indescribable! I loved how they put this together…
I’ve been studying Mozart for a while… And I won’t make any assumptions, but most of the facts were true I believe. Of course I haven’t been researching his life for years and years… But most of it is quite accurate my by studies. : )
I know Mozart was in fact very spontaneous and loved to ‘live life’ as he told his father in his letters. He also did love women as well. He ALSO was witty and had a very ‘wicked’ sense of humor. Tom Hulce played him with just the PERFECT amount of eccentricity! It was great!
I LOVE THE LAUGH TOM HULCE GAVE HIM!!!
Ahahaha!!! Ha! Ha..! Ha… Ha?
***** 5 STARS!
5 Stars Amadeus, I’ve been rocked
This movie won a lot of awards when it came out in 1984 and it’s easy to see why. Beautifully shot in Prague, Czechoslovakia, a city absolutely perfect for re-creating 18th-century Vienna; written by Peter Shaffer, based off his play of the same name, produced by Saul Zaentz, and directed by Milos Forman. This film really shines a light on its actors. Tom Hulce portrays Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and really makes one ask why he isn’t in more films. He is perfect as the cocky, brilliant, yet troubled composer. F. Murray Abraham won an Oscar for his performance as Salieri, the successful, yet mediocre antagonist.
The film really is beautiful on Blu Ray. It was shot using only natural light, and the color and shadow in HD really stand out. Detail that was lost in the VHS and DVD version comes to life. The package also includes a CD of music from the film that really is awe inspiring. If you go into the film knowing only Mozart’s name, but nothing else, you’ll end it with a deep appreciation for the man’s’ gift. The wonderful composition is even better on Blu Ray than imagined.
The whole thing comes in a hardcover book that really stands out in a collection or on its own. I got it from Amazon for fewer than twenty dollars, and it’s defiantly one of the best buys I’ve ever had. If you are looking for something to show off your HD setup with, but are tired of explosions and CG, defiantly pick this up. It’s not only one of my favorite Blu Rays; it’s one of my favorite films of all time.
5 Stars One of the best movies of all time
Amadeus is an incredible film. Mozart’s genius is aptly portrayed along side his fatal flaws. The soundtrack is beautiful too.
Amadeus Blu ray Book Blu ray
April 25, 2009 by Classical Music · Leave a Comment
Abrahams salieri declares war against the heavens for speaking through the genius of wolfgang amadeus mozart played by hulce. Flashbacks illuminate the mad energetic brilliance of mozart and salieris struggle with his own mediocrity. Studio: Warner Home Video Release Date: 02/10/2009 Starring: F Murray Abraham Jeffery Jones Run time: 180 minutes Rating: Pg Director: Milos Forman
User Ratings and Reviews
3 Stars Amadeus
not impressed with the dvd not having a cover and coming in a plastic case with the only thing on the dvd to identify it was the small print on the disk.
5 Stars Great Movie
I really have loved this movie for years. Now i had the chance to get it in HD.
It just looks great on full HD. a bit grainy on some dark scenes but not to cry over it. love the colors, the music etc.. sadly enough my receiver is broken so i had to content myself with the osund coming out of the tv.
But this is a must if you love classical music. This version comes with a cd containg music from the movie, a booklet with pics and actors biografy and a disc that will halp you get your digital copy for mobile stuff.
Go buy it. you wont regret
5 Stars W-O-W
This movie was absolutely astounding!!!! I loved it… The costumes, the scenery, the actors and actresses… Just amazing! And the music… Indescribable! I loved how they put this together…
I’ve been studying Mozart for a while… And I won’t make any assumptions, but most of the facts were true I believe. Of course I haven’t been researching his life for years and years… But most of it is quite accurate my by studies. : )
I know Mozart was in fact very spontaneous and loved to ‘live life’ as he told his father in his letters. He also did love women as well. He ALSO was witty and had a very ‘wicked’ sense of humor. Tom Hulce played him with just the PERFECT amount of eccentricity! It was great!
I LOVE THE LAUGH TOM HULCE GAVE HIM!!!
Ahahaha!!! Ha! Ha..! Ha… Ha?
***** 5 STARS!
5 Stars Amadeus, I’ve been rocked
This movie won a lot of awards when it came out in 1984 and it’s easy to see why. Beautifully shot in Prague, Czechoslovakia, a city absolutely perfect for re-creating 18th-century Vienna; written by Peter Shaffer, based off his play of the same name, produced by Saul Zaentz, and directed by Milos Forman. This film really shines a light on its actors. Tom Hulce portrays Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and really makes one ask why he isn’t in more films. He is perfect as the cocky, brilliant, yet troubled composer. F. Murray Abraham won an Oscar for his performance as Salieri, the successful, yet mediocre antagonist.
The film really is beautiful on Blu Ray. It was shot using only natural light, and the color and shadow in HD really stand out. Detail that was lost in the VHS and DVD version comes to life. The package also includes a CD of music from the film that really is awe inspiring. If you go into the film knowing only Mozart’s name, but nothing else, you’ll end it with a deep appreciation for the man’s’ gift. The wonderful composition is even better on Blu Ray than imagined.
The whole thing comes in a hardcover book that really stands out in a collection or on its own. I got it from Amazon for fewer than twenty dollars, and it’s defiantly one of the best buys I’ve ever had. If you are looking for something to show off your HD setup with, but are tired of explosions and CG, defiantly pick this up. It’s not only one of my favorite Blu Rays; it’s one of my favorite films of all time.
5 Stars One of the best movies of all time
Amadeus is an incredible film. Mozart’s genius is aptly portrayed along side his fatal flaws. The soundtrack is beautiful too.
