Amadeus

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Amadeus

PG

Released Nov 13, 1984

2h 38m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

159 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) is a remarkably talented young Viennese composer who unwittingly finds a fierce rival in the disciplined and determined Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham). Resenting Mozart for both his hedonistic lifestyle and his undeniable talent, the highly religious Salieri is gradually consumed by his jealousy and becomes obsessed with Mozart's downfall, leading to a devious scheme that has dire consequences for both men.

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Critics Consensus

Amadeus' liberties with history may rankle some, but the creative marriage of Miloš Forman and Peter Shaffer yields a divinely diabolical myth of genius and mediocrity, buoyed by inspired casting and Mozart's rapturous music.

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Larushka Ivan-Zadeh

The Times (UK)

It may be titled simply Amadeus but this hugely fun 1980s classic didn’t win eight Oscars for being a straight-up biopic. What made it an enduring cultural touchstone is the framing.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 29, 2025

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Amadeus really is mesmeric (as well as deliciously exciting) and watching it again I went into exactly the trance I experienced the first time.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 23, 2025

Full Review

Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

Amadeus is one of the greatest film portraits of an artist for capturing the essence of their work.

Feb 23, 2025

Full Review

Clotilde Chinnici

Loud and Clear Reviews

If the movie never had any intention of actually portraying Mozart’s life—or his music for that matter—then this begs the question: was it even worth making this about Mozart at all?

Rated: 3/5

Jul 29, 2025

Full Review

Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Forman and Schaffer’s film (based on Schaffer’s play) uses the lives of Mozart and his suggested historical rival, Salieri, to create a biting, decades-spanning treatise on the nature of genius and creating art.

Jul 11, 2025

Full Review

Michelle Swope

Elements of Madness

Forman’s Amadeus is a breathtaking, divine tragedy. Amadeus is a beautifully exhilarating, outrageous feast for the eyes and ears. The 4K restoration perfectly preserves the gorgeous look and sound of the theatrical cut of a timeless masterpiece.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 28, 2025

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thiago s

Filme fraco e desinteressante, o roteiro é fraco, as cenas são fracas, a história é fraca, o elenco é fraco, e ninguém ajuda a melhorar o filme, os personagens são fracos, e o filme deveria ter cenas bem melhores e relevantes, para fazer o filme ser bom

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/17/25

Full Review

Jim N

A masterpiece, and thrilling to watch, bringing both laughter and tears. This is an exuberant exploration of the decadent life of one of the greatest artists to have ever lived and of the glory of God made manifest in music.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/27/25

Full Review

Francis F

Amadeus must be of the greatest movies ever. I love the 3 hours long version. Let’s forget the fact this is very fictional movie based on theatre play…. The rhytm of the movie is perfect, very believable acting, costumes feel very natural, locations…. Aw well, I can’t find anything bad about the movie. Absolute must see and at least few times!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/20/25

Full Review

Tyler S

This was exactly what I was expected when I first heard about it. I never really knew much about Mozart, but I wanted to know more. An interesting life for him, and such amazing music. I bet if I was in the theater watching when this came out in 1984, it would feel majestic. Really great performances by F. Murray Abraham as Salieri and Tom Hulce as Mozart. Mozart's portrayal here was a bit more bold than I expected, but it came around to me.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/19/25

Full Review

Casey M

Might be the greatest film about opera WITHOUT opera ever

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/09/25

Full Review

Mikey B

Based on the Broadway play, Amadeus is NOT a biography of Mozart. There are glaring faults in accuracy. The story however is masterful. Salient as the long suffering servant of God, wondering how he could be shut out of God's appreciation while Mozart, the bawdy definitely not a good catholic, gets the praise, glory, and the girl. Filmed in Prague during cold War Era, the locations are beautiful. The acting overall is quite good. Hulce and Abram are Mozart and Salieri. Elizabeth Berridge is a little lost as the suffering spouse. But the music, the music... glorious!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/01/25

Full Review

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Milos Forman

Director

F. Murray Abraham

Antonio Salieri

Tom Hulce

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Jeffrey Jones

Emperor Joseph II

Elizabeth Berridge

Constanze Mozart

Simon Callow

Emanuel Schikaneder

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Synopsis

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce) is a remarkably talented young Viennese composer who unwittingly finds a fierce rival in the disciplined and determined Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham). Resenting Mozart for both his hedonistic lifestyle and his undeniable talent, the highly religious Salieri is gradually consumed by his jealousy and becomes obsessed with Mozart's downfall, leading to a devious scheme that has dire consequences for both men.

Director: Milos Forman
Producer: Saul Zaentz
Screenwriter: Peter Shaffer
Distributor: Orion Pictures, Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: AMLF
Rating: PG
Genre: Biography, History, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 13, 1984, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 18, 2016
Runtime: 2h 38m
Sound Mix: Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Surround, Dolby
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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