Amadeus

1984 Directed by Miloš Forman

...Everything you've heard is true

The incredible story of genius musician Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, told in flashback by his peer and secret rival, Antonio Salieri—now confined to an insane asylum.

F. Murray Abraham Tom Hulce Elizabeth Berridge Roy Dotrice Simon Callow Christine Ebersole Jeffrey Jones Barbara Bryne Cynthia Nixon Douglas Seale Charles Kay Kenny Baker Martin Cavina Roderick Cook Milan Demjanenko Peter DiGesu Patrick Hines Nicholas Kepros Philip Lenkowsky Lisbeth Bartlett Richard Frank Herman Meckler Jonathan Moore Brian Pettifer Vincent Schiavelli John Strauss Karl-Heinz Teuber Miro Grisa Karel Gult Show All…

Alternative Titles

아마데우스, 阿瑪迪斯, Peter Shaffer's Amadeus

music history drama

160 mins More details at IMDb TMDb Report this film

Popular reviews

Review by Amadeus ★★★★★ 19

Perfection.
I don't understand why this movie isn't higher rated. What criticism could possibly be raised about this flawless masterpiece?
Too many notes?
Review by Dirk van Eck ★★★★★ 11

This film. This film right here. A masterpiece in every sense of the word. F. Murray Abraham as Antonio Salieri and the relatively unknown Tom Hulce as the titular Amadeus who needs no further introduction put down two of the best performances in movie history, and although they do not even share as much screen time together as you would expect from a story about (one-sided) rivalry, their chemistry is just beyond belief. Salieri’s villainous quest to destroy that what he believes is God himself taunting him is made completely and utterly empathetic through his simultaneous admiration for the gift of music created by that very malefactor. And then Mozart, who believes his opponent to be nothing short of a…
Review by Wesley R. Ball ★★★★★ 7

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, arguably the single greatest mind in music history, never really had a rise to greatness so much as an immersion in it from the start. A born prodigy, at age 4 he already started composing music and delighted dozens with his immense talent. Achieving notoriety among the elite in the musical industry proved to be an uphill battle for him, yet history has been far more gracious to him than to the other supposed masters of the art. Mozart kept an uncanny ability at achieving perfection while the more publicly renowned, whether out of political or personal motivation, seemed to harbor an intense yet silent hatred for him.
At least, that's what Peter Shaffer's play Amadeus has…
Review by Dan ★★★★★ 1

Mozart was good but he's no Ryan Gosling in La La Land
Review by Erik Nordgren ★★★★★ 1

finn/poe is over, mozart/salieri invented gay rights
Review by Jessie ★★★★½ 1

This review may contain spoilers. I can handle the truth.

Firstly, you will never find a movie with more beautiful, breathtaking music. Simply stunning. Even for non classical fans, it is captivating.
Despite its title, it is the story of Salieri, the composer who reveres and yet hates Mozart for his genius. He lives his life in the shadow of Mozarts superior talent, and is driven mad by it. He can't fathom why God blessed Mozart with superior talent, a man who is in no way as pious as himself, and it becomes his obsession. Even years after Mozarts death he is still enraptured with all that occurred, and consigns himself to his fate of being the self proclaimed "patron saint of mediocrity."
Three hours long, and worth every minute of it. Whether or not you love classical music, you can appreciate the (fictionalized) story of this real life genius. One of the best composers of all time, and a great movie about him.

Recent reviews

Review by wheeindie ★★★★★

i cant have shit in this house
Review by Angmar_

Watched the Director's Cut
Review by Joe Pistella ★★★★½

Wow. I can't believe that there has been an OG “The Prestige” this whole time.
This holds up surprisingly well, and is everything you would expect from a high class setting during the time of Mozart. This 3 hour journey was truly a walkthrough off his life, and shows off his legacy in a very entertaining way.
The rivalry aspect was also great, and anyone who likes classical is definitely going to (or already had) a field trip with this film.
Brb gonna go listen to Diane Mozart lover!
Review by mudbrainmagic ★★★★

Love abraham in this one. So jealous such wonderful acting.
Review by jfullelove ★★★★½

As a grade 9 music student, I found the dictation scene to be rather enjoyable.
Review by Eddy ★★★★

Watched this in my high school sophomore music class. Don't remember much about it but I do remember liking it. I'll eventually rewatch it and update my review.
Review by tobysh1tposts ★★★★★

“I am the patron saint of mediocrity”
My tone deaf ass: fuck, maybe I’m Murray Abraham
Review by Kyall Scott ★★★★★

It’s 3 hour runtime blazed by, which when you’re cursed with an attention span the likes of which I have and 90 minutes can be a struggle, is a testament to how insanely good this movie is.
Review by Benjamin Piché ★★★★½

Talk about an experience.
I had never realized how beautiful and moving Mozart's music was before watching Amadeus. This is one of the best displays of sound editing I have ever seen, making the movie incredibly immersive. Also, choosing to have Salieri, Mozart's greatest rival, narrate the story was a very clever choice that elevated the movie above just a simple biopic.

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