Customer Reviews

Amadeus: Director's Cut [Blu-ray]

5 star:		(320)
4 star:		(60)
3 star:		(28)
2 star:		(13)
1 star:		(29)

 

 

I've purchased every disc release of this movie: the expensive LaserDisc collector's set, the original DVD release and the subsquent Director's Cut, and this new Blu-Ray of the Director's Cut. The Blu-Ray release stands head and shoulders above the rest for picture quality, color, and sound.

My only gripe is that the original theatrical cut is not available on Blu-Ray as a separate item or as an alternative viewing option on the Director's Cut. The theatrical cut is the one that most of us saw first and saw over and over again over the course of some 20 years before the Director's Cut was released on DVD.

The additional footage in the Director's Cut is interesting but, to me at least, seems intrusive. It interrupts the flow and tempo I am used to. There is also a brief scene of female nudity that seems a bit gratuitous. The scene does, though, lend some weight to a scene later in the film where you see Constanze's open hostility toward Salieri. Normally I'm not one to complain about a little female flesh being exposed, but I think the film works well enough without it.

Other "new" scenes follow pretty much the same description: they are interesting but their necessity is debatable.

There is one small addition that I did enjoy, though. Early in the film, during one of the scenes where the elderly Salieri is confessing (?) to the young priest, Salieri is recounting the episode when he first met the young composer Mozart he'd heard about for so many years. He was blown away by his talent but outraged and offended by his peurile behavior. He insisted to the priest that such talent (evident in one composition in particular) could not and should not exist in such a vile and vulgar child. That brilliant composition simply HAD to be an accident! Salieri's lines are briefly extended in that moment, and it adds a wonderful touch of menace. I can't understand why it was cut from the original release.

The LaserDisc release included a wonderful behind-the-scenes documentary called "The Last Laugh". So far I haven't seen it included in any DVD or Blu-Ray release. I'm holding on to my LaserDisc player for precisely that reason. Add that documentary to this Blu-Ray release and you have a slam-dunk 5-star product.

Depending on the release version, this Blu-Ray movie may come in book form and include a short bonus CD of some music from the film and a picture booklet. If you bought/buy the version that comes with the bonus Digital Copy of the film (available at some retailers but harder to find online), bear in mind that the Digital Copy is NOT compatible with iTunes and cannot be loaded to your iPod. There is no wording on the package to indicate this. One has to open the Digital Copy booklet to find that out. The Digital Copy booklet looks the same on the outside as the booklet for the Digital Copies of other movies that ARE compatible with iTunes, so a consumer who has purchased iTunes-compatible Digital Copy-included DVDs before could reasonably assume this one would be compatible also. That consumer would be wrong. Nice bait-and-switch, don't you think?

If you got the non-book version of the Blu-Ray, it probably didn't come with the bonus CD, booklet, or Digital Copy.

I'm in agreement with many others who have reviewed the Director's Cut - the added footage ruins the flow of the movie and coherence of the characters.

I love the theatrical release of this movie, and I'm very disappointed that they chose not to include the theatrical release in this blu-ray set. Amadeus is a gorgeous film, and I would very much like to enjoy the original in hi-def splendor.

As of now it's a choice between watching a pretty movie and a good movie. I'll be watching my old DVD theatrical version until they release it on Blu-Ray. Watching the blu-ray directors cut equates to wasting 3 hours getting mad about what they did to an excellent movie.

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.

In 1984 I was hesitant to see this film. Being a historical drama, set in 18th Century cities and costumes, you would think it would be a chatty, dry, and uninspired (not to mention that you might expect everyone to speak in British accents). Amadeus is none of those things. It is an inspired film of intelligence, probing psychological depth, and gripping darkness.

I finally saw this film on VHS in 1994, a whole decade after the theatrical release, after all the hype had dissolved.

I have been a music student since I was six years old. I've always been such an eclectic person, listening to everything from rock to classical, and absorbing myself in the lives of the great composers (Bach, Mozart, etc.) No other life in musical history is as mysterious as Mozart's, and this film brings his life... well.... back to life.

You must understand this is a work that is hard to classify as fact or fiction. While we all know Mozart died from a rheumatic fever, after his death rumors DID spread of a poisoning by Salieri. The rumor was even believed by Mozart's wife Constanze (accounts of this societal gossip is found in many books of Mozart's biography). Also, when the real-life Antonio Salieri was an old man, he was confined to an asylum, convinced that he did commit the murder (also a prooved biographical fact). This is a fact that seems to remain overlooked. Needless to say, the tale, Amadeus, is only rooted in the rantings of a paranoid, schizophrenic old man, rather than a true-to-life retelling of Mozart's road to his early death. But it does paint the picture of 18th Century Vienna "tabloid gossip" of Mozart's mysterious downfall.

If you do your research, you'll find out about the truth about Mozart's death, who was there at his side, who completed that Requiem Mass, etc. But the movie, is still a treasure. The plot is brilliant, blending fact and fiction (the word "fiction" is a little iffy) and exemplifies the ongoing debate of the popularly mediocre to the "different" genius, underestimated and underappreciated during his own time.

There is enough fact in this film to call it a historical account (e.g. Mozart's struggle with the Archbishop, domestic tension between Conztanze and her father-in-law, the banning of ballet dancing, Marie Antoinette's growing fear of her people, etc.)

Visually, this movie scores a 100% in overall artistic appeal. Filmed in the Czech Republic, you see palaces and streets that have remained unchanged since the time Mozart was alive. Too bad Mozart's native Salzburg and Vienna have visually changed so much over the past couple of centuries. The beautifully preserved Nostitz Theater in the film is even the same theater where Mozart premiered his opera Il Don Giovanni in 1789, arguably the best opera yet written. This opera (and many others) are represented in the film, carefully and masterfully choreographed by Twyla Tharp who tried, very succesfully, to recapture the dances of the 18th Century. Even the opera sets are believably "classical." Amadeus is cerainly a treat for the eyes, as well as the ears and mind.

This is not one of those costume films where the actors sound British. The actors speak in North American dilect (with the exception of the actors that play the "Court people" of course) maximizing the American-viewer appeal. The reason for the different dialects, the producers say, is because in 18th Century Europe, many dialects of one language were prevalent: "A West German would never be able to understand an East German."

Everything in the film looks just perfect: from the number of candles in the chandeliers, to the wigs, to the music, to the way the people talk. Also, Don't miss the "Amadeus: Director's Cut" with an additional 20 minutes of original scenes that were cut in 1984. It was in theaters and the DVD should be out soon. It helps make the cause of the feud between Constanze Mozart and Antonio Salieri more lucid. Plus other scenes where the financially ruined Mozart stops a piano lesson-gone-wrong, and then beggs the student's father, a nobleman, for money. Also, the opera sequences are lengthened. The DVD release of the Director's Cut is not to be missed.

Amadeus (1984) is also a sure hit in trying to get young children interested in musical classics, especially if your kid's complaining about his or her boring piano lessons. It is rated PG. The Director's Cut has been rated R for brief nudity.

+++++

This 160 minute movie (best picture Oscar winner in 1984) chronicles the last ten years of the Austrian composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791), played by Tom Hulce (who was nominated for an Oscar for this role).

This movie's entire story revolves around the conjectured intense jealous relationship between the mediocre composer Antonio Salieri (1750-1825), played by F. Murray Abraham (who won an Oscar for this role) and the genius composer Mozart. It is theorized that this jealously led Salieri to murder Mozart. (In reality, this is one theory of many as to why Mozart died so young.)

Other relationships to watch are those between Mozart and his wife, Constanze (Elizabeth Berridge); between Mozart and his father, Leopold (Roy Dotrice); and finally between Mozart and Emperor Joseph ll (Jeffery Jones).

What's amazing about this movie is its accuracy (which is surprising for a movie usually takes many "artistic liberties"). Here are some examples. Mozart was a child prodigy. He did suffer financial difficulties after he was dismissed from his paid employment with the Archbishop of Salzburg and moved to Vienna. Mozart married Constanze Weber in Vienna. His father did have a disastrous visit to his newlywed son's home. Mozart made the bulk of his income in Vienna by giving concerts and working freelance. He did delight in dancing, billiards, and crude jokes.

The character most interesting in this movie is Salieri which Abraham portrays with great skill. Salieri is aware of Mozart's musical genius (despite other people who do not understand Mozart's music since they claim it has "too many notes" and it makes "too many demands on the Royal ear"). Thus Salieri becomes very jealous of Mozart's genius but Mozart is unaware of this and even regards Salieri as a friend.

Salieri is portrayed as a person who believes in God. The irony here is that Mozart's middle Latin name of Amadeus means "he who loves God." So Salieri eventually sees God as mocking him through Mozart. This causes Salieri to renounce his belief in God since God did not bless him with the same musical genius as Mozart.

Mozart admits that he is a "vulgar man but his music is not." Hulce as Mozart does a good job portraying this vulgarity. History tells us that Mozart had an odd laugh and Hulce does a great job recreating this laugh throughout the movie.

What's really enjoyable about this movie is Mozart's music. Music flowed from Mozart unceasingly and the movie shows this well. This movie gives a good representative sample of his more than 600 musical compositions especially his opera, piano (his favorite instrument), and symphonic (he wrote more than forty symphonies) music.

Mozart's music is not just used as background music in the movie but is an essential ingredient that adds to each scene. For example, when Mozart dies, his uncompleted choral piece, the Requiem (which he was commissioned to write) is used to heighten the dramatic and emotional impact of his funeral. It's almost as if he intentionally wrote the Requiem for his own death.

Finally, this movie is visually stunning especially with respect to the interior of theatres. I especially remember the large chandeliers. All rooms in homes and palaces seem to be filled with authentic period artifacts (such as paintings and antique furniture).

In conclusion, don't miss this movie!! It gives you a chance to experience the life of a musical genius through the eyes of a mediocre composer who described the music of this genius as the "Voice of God."

+++++

Sometimes hilarious, sometimes somber and always tragic, this is the highly entertaining dramatized story of Mozart. A fictional story about the tragic life of a real-life genius. It is a fact that Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart died a pauper in an un-marked mass grave, but no one knows if he even knew Antonio Salieri much less had such profound interactions with him. As composers of note, they definitely were aware of each other's existence at the time, but the fictionalized tale here should not be watched as though it is historical fact.

The wardrobes, backdrops and everything you see in this film are breathtakingly accurate and believable. The acting is flawless by every single person you see on screen, whether it's the un-credited extra in the background or the main characters themselves.

The music is incredible and you'll never hear these pieces the same after you see them being performed on screen.

I wish the DVD had included more extras, perhaps some clips of the Oscars when Abraham won for best actor and interviews with the cast and crew. A behind the scenes featurette would have also been wonderful. Nonetheless, this is one of the top films ever made and a must-see for anyone who loves good film and superb acting that will blow you away.

The first time I saw Amadeus, I was totally sympathetic to Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) and felt towards Mozart practically the same as Salieri did. 15 years later I watched the movie again. As I allowed myself to perceive it more in the position of Mozart, I couldn't help swinging my vote to Mozart this time. The more so as the movie depicted how Mozart, deprived of wealth and success, was initially reluctant to take a mystery man's proposal - to work on Requiem. He simply could not face his own demons and revisit his guilt towards his father, plus he lacked the energy to finish such a grand project. But for that promised pay, he took Saleri's bait, forced himself to meet the impossible deadline and work until his last breath. The final hours of Mozart was brilliantly portrayed by Tom Hulce. The last scene where Mozart was thrown into an unmarked mass grave was devastating.

The script was ingeniously written and tightly knit. The music score powerful and touching. The movie presented sympathetic and unbiased views of Salieri and Mozart at the same time. Coupled with fine performances of the two actors, the movie allowed the audience to see and judge for themselves. Abraham's brilliant portrayal of Salieri won him the Oscar - Salieri could not accept how Mozart, in a life style so different from his, could write such magnificent pieces. Consumed with envy, he set out to block Mozart from any recognition of his talent. Even to this extreme, he was Mozart's admirer as much as Mozart's enemy till the end, secretly watching Mozart's play, the Magic Flute, and eagerly helping Mozart record his last notes for the Requiem.

The movie inspires. One Chinese proverb about two competing talents with only one as the ultimate winner can be adapted to the movie: "If Salieri is already born to this world, why bring Mozart also?" - a remark made by the loser as to his misfortune to be a contemplary of the winner and thus the loser failed to make his own mark in history. It also supports the idea "Who knows oneself better than one's deadliest enemy?" The movie also reminds me of the biblical parable of Lazarus and the wealthy man. While Lazarus, unlike his wealthy neighbour, was poor and constantly starving in his few days on the earth, it was Lazarus who was in Abraham's bosom to enjoy a happy after life while his neigbour suffered down below. Thus set eyes not just on the present but on the eternal. So went Mozart and Salieri according to the fiction and the movie.

A great movie! Incidentally, 27th January, 2006 marked the 250th Anniversary of Mozart's birth.

I'm writing this review as someone who absolutely loves the film "Amadeus." It really is one of the top ten films made after 1980 -- a gorgeous, engrossing, funny, hugely entertaining achievement.

I'm also writing this review as someone who does not own the Blu-Ray edition and in fact refuses to buy it in its current form, even at the low, low sale price of $13.99.

Why? And why only two stars? For one reason and one reason only: this Blu-Ray edition does not (as far as I can tell) contain the original theatrical release.

When "Blade Runner" was released on Blu-Ray last year, I snatched it up immediately. I even paid $30+ for it -- gladly. Why? There were FIVE DIFFERENT VERSIONS of the film included in the package, including the original release with Harrison Ford's voiceover.

When "The Godfather Trilogy" was released on Blu-Ray, I paid more than $40 for it -- gladly -- because they had ALL THREE Godfather films included in the package.

So it's baffling why they didn't do the same thing with "Amadeus." At $30+ or even $40+ it would've been a steal. Without the original theatrical cut, I wouldn't pay more than $5 for this Blu-Ray disc.

I own the standard-definition DVDs of "Amadeus" -- both the original theatrical version (released in 1997!!) AND the Director's Cut that was released a few years later. While the Director's Cut DOES make some things a little clearer in the story, nothing in the Director's Cut -- NOTHING -- makes it a better film. With all due respect to Milos Forman, the original theatrical version is VASTLY SUPERIOR to the Director's Cut. The storytelling is tighter, the film more engrossing. The scenes that were added in the Director's Cut with Kenneth MacMillan and the barking dogs would've been better in a Deleted Scenes section of the DVD -- they're extraneous, superfluous. Too many notes.

It's like the French plantation sequence in "Apocalypse Now" (ANOTHER DVD package that was smart enough to include both the "Redux" version AND the original theatrical release), where you can't wait for the director's self-indulgent digression to end so you can get back to the story.

I would MUCH prefer to watch my 1997 standard-definition DVD of the original theatrical release than pay more than $5 for this Blu-Ray edition. If you've never seen the film, I envy you -- you'll love it. But don't buy this version. Get this one instead: http://www.amazon.com/Amadeus-F-Murray-Abraham/dp/6304712936/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1237481543&sr=8-2

The picture quality won't be as good as Blu-Ray, but you'll be seeing a better film.

Amadeus is one of my all time favorites. Wonderful costumes, sets, and acting. I own the video but purchased the DVD for improved picture quality. What a mistake. There was no improvement in picture quality and the movie is cut in half, one half on each side of the disk. I can't recommend this DVD, buy the video instead.

A beautiful transfer of video and sound ruined by gratuitous extra footage. The original cut won all the Oscars for a reason. It should have been left alone. Why cannot they offer both versions on the same or 2 discs! Sacrilege.