Amadeus

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Amadeus

PG

1984

2h 40m

Biography

History

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

90%

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159 Reviews

95%

Popcornmeter

100,000+ Ratings

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is a remarkably talented young Viennese composer who unwittingly finds a fierce rival in the disciplined and determined Antonio Salieri. 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)

Jul 29

5/5

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.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Jul 23

5/5

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

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Jake Cole

Slant Magazine

02/23/2025

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

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Clotilde Chinnici

Loud and Clear Reviews

Jul 29

3/5

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?

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Julian Singleton

Cinapse

Jul 11

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.

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Michelle Swope

Elements of Madness

Feb 28

5/5

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.

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Andiamo D.

@DGD26 Feb 14

This is a top 5 movie of all time for me. As it has likely be said a thousand times before, you don’t have to be a Mozart fan to enjoy this film. The cinematography, costumes, acting, everything is superb. This movie has likely been the inspiration for so many taking an interest in Mozart’s works. I can tell you that their music choices from Mozart’s vast repository of music compositions is incredible. They don’t only use Eine kleine Nachtmusik or the Queen of the Night aria. So if you’re concerned they stick only with the most popular or well-known pieces of music for scene accompaniment, you will be pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend watching this if you have the slightest bit of interest in late 18th century Vienna, Mozart, or classical aesthetics in general.

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BM M.

@BMann Dec 22

Never watched it in the 80’s but I always knew I would eventually. I love a good period piece. Good acting, good writing and obviously the music was perfect.

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Harry H.

@Movies10 Dec 21

I do not get what the big deal is with this film.

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SARAH D

Nov 28

If you blank out the historical facts (and as a music history major I have to consciously do so) this story works as a very dark comedy with a clever ironic twist at the end. I enjoyed this film far more than I did forty years ago when I first saw it.

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Jack F

@MovieFan111 Nov 19

I really liked it. Not really a history lesson, but that's not the point.

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Hiroyuki K

Nov 16

This movie sparked my interest in music and history. Even though it was filmed before I was born, it doesn't feel old to me at all.

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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 is a remarkably talented young Viennese composer who unwittingly finds a fierce rival in the disciplined and determined Antonio Salieri. 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 40m
Sound Mix: Magnetic Stereo 6 Track, Dolby, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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