Amadeus

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Amadeus

PG

Released Nov 13, 1984

2h 38m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

Tomatometer

153 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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Jay Scott

Globe and Mail

Decorated with a powdered-sugar sweetness and creamy lavishness unseen since the days of Josef von Sternberg, and performed by an eager to please, rootin'-tootin' American cast that would be comfortable in Oklahoma!, Amadeus is junk food par excellence.

Aug 8, 2022

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

The subject of artistic creation is typically handled badly in the movies... [Amadeus] treats the subject of creativity in a fresh way.

Rated: 3.5/4

Jul 11, 2022

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

This is Mozart as an eighteenth-century Bruce Springsteen, and yet (here is the genius of the movie) there is nothing cheap or unworthy about the approach.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 11, 2022

Full Review

Stephen Silver

The SS Ben Hecht

Found an irresistible angle in telling the story of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart by routing it through the bitter jealousy and hatred of his less-talented rival, Antonio Salieri (40th anniversary)

Rated: 4.5/5

Sep 20, 2024

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A grandly entertaining period piece.

Rated: 3.5/4

May 18, 2024

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Mark Johnson

Awards Daily

Lavish and flamboyant in every manner. F. Murray Abraham’s vile and sinister performance as the envious Salieri, a man with more desire to produce music than God gave him talent to create, is one for the ages.

Jun 8, 2023

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mary m

Best laugh ever in movie history.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/25

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Chip C

Overated. There is nothing special about this movie. The costumes and sets were incredible. Everything else was average.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/15/25

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Jithin K

Historical accuracy doesn't matter when the film is this good. I still can't think coherently after watching this just like the first time. What a masterpiece!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/10/24

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Micah H

I didn’t like it all that much, but there’s no denying the quality of Amadeus.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

11/05/24

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Alex r

A masterpiece of a movie. A character based movie that sings. The music, acting, characters, and setting work. And the best part of the movie was how real antonio Salieri felt. The hatred he had in his heart felt real, and the envy he felt for Mozart made him relatable. Both his young and old self was interesting, relatable, and human. The music was excellent. And the plot worked. Mozart felt like a genius child prodigy who was immature. Who was controlled by his father until he married and became man out of his depths with his marriage.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/31/24

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Omar Q

Uff que buena película, por años tuve un poco de miedo de verla pero cuando me animé no hubo vuelta atrás y fue un viaje que disfruté demasiado. Ahora que si no te gusta la música “clásica”, el teatro y ese tipo de cosas dudo que te encante. Pero definitivamente es grandiosa película !

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

10/20/24

Full Review

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Milos Forman

Director

F. Murray Abraham

Antonio Salieri

Tom Hulce

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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Elizabeth Berridge

Constanze Mozart

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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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