Plot: What’s it about?
Amadeus might remembered the most for coming out of nowhere to win the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1984. The heavily-favored A Passage to India was destined to sweep the awards, but little did they expect Milos Forman’s work to take the top honor (it ultimately ended up winning 8 Oscars that night). But should we expect less from Milos Foreman? The director of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest! Still, it was a testament to how good the film actually was (and still is) when you can take a movie about a classical composer, albeit probably the best composer in history, and make a very entertaining movie out of it. While the cast was relatively unknown (Tom Hulce, who played Amadeus, was best-known for his role in Animal House), this didn’t matter. And, lest we not forget, this movie is about the relationship between Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) and his extreme jealousy towards the more naturally gifted Mozart (Tom Hulce).
As the movie opens, we see that Salieri is an old man living in a church. A noted musician in his own respect and right, he is having a conversation with a younger priest. As it turns out, the movie is told in a series of flashbacks, back to the day when Amadeus was in his prime and before he unknowingly ruined the life of one Salieri. Essentially, that’s the story, but as we see how innocent Amadeus was and how it almost seemed like an afterthought his music was, we see how Salieri could become so enraged at the mere appearance of him. Mozart, a struggling prodigy of a composer, is sought out to be the new composer to the king (Jeffery Jones). Though he is somewhat of a musician himself, he’s no match for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (hence proving that God sometimes bestows gifts on some of his most unsuspecting subjects). While Mozart had nearly free reign to do what he pleased, he was considered the far better of the two (Salieri and he), but Salieri’s knowledge of music came from practice, study and trying to constantly please the king. He had no natural talent and it literally angered him until the day he died.
Admittedly, this is a rather abbreviated rundown of what actually happens in the film. It, in a way, chronicles his life and it’s very interesting and fun to watch. Very few of the performances here could have been done by other actors and though every time I see Amadeus I think of “Flounder” from Animal House, that shouldn’t be. And, for all of those of you out there wondering, yes we do get to see the topless scene with Constantz Mozart (Elizabeth Berridge) showing exactly how much she loves her husband and the lengths that she is willing to go to see that he will succeed at his work. A far improvement over the original issue of the movie, this is an easy recommendation and a great addition to any collection. The film, in addition to winning Best Picture, has also garnered a spot on the American Film Institute’s list of Top 100 Movies of all time (#53), so if my review and the other accolades that this picture has gathered over time haven’t convinced you, maybe that will. Highly recommended.
Video: How does it look?
It’s odd to think now, but this was actually one of the first DVD’s released over a quarter of a century ago. Times have changed as has technology and this Best Picture winner is certainly a recipient of that. A majority of the movie is filmed indoors and the color palette is muted to say the least. The biggest improvement here is the detail, which has been bumped up and it really makes some of the costumes seen in the film look a lot better. The 2.39:1 4K HEVC image has benefitted from increased color, depth and detail – all good things. The film also has a more natural feel to it with a nice sheen to it. I could go on and on, but suffice it to say that this is, by far, the best the film has ever looked.
Audio: How does it sound?
While some might think that this would be ripe for a Dolby Atmos soundtrack (and I agree), the included DTS HD Master Audio mix is more than sufficient. I can remember being in a home theater store about a dozen years ago and there was a scene from this movie being displayed as one of the finest examples of how pure and crystal clear sound could be. As it turns out, time has been kind to “Amadeus” and the magnificent score by Sir Neville Marriner sounds as good as ever. This isn’t the kind of soundtrack that has a lot of “thuds” and “booms” but more on the higher scale of things. Dialogue is crystal clear and some of the operas have truly never sounded better.
Supplements: What are the extras?
- The Making of Amadeus – This documentary covers the entire process from casting to completion. And while it’s a bit dated (it originally came out with the 2002 DVD), it’s still a very comprehensive look at the film.
- Amadeus: The Making of a Masterpiece – New to this 4K is a brand new segment that is a welcome addition. Though not nearly as inclusive as the above documentary, I’m always a fan of something new to a four decade old film. New interviews with the principal cast members are shown (though interviewed individually) as they reminisce about the film and its enduring appeal.
The Bottom Line
Likely this one won’t be for everyone. At 180 minutes (and this is the Theatrical Cut, bear in mind) it’s a commitment. I, personally love it. Warner’s disc has a new supplement, a new audio mix and an enhanced picture – what’s not to love?
