Amadeus (DVD, 1997)

I was in high school in 1984, the year the blockbuster motion picture "Amadeus" was released. Teachers generally jump for joy when they see an opportunity to make learning "cool." Predictably, we were assigned to see it for history class. The movie itself - the cinematography, the lavish settings and costumes, the acting, the music, the gripping story - was wonderful. Nominated for eleven Oscars, it won eight, encluding Best Picture and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham (Salieri). My musical education was virtually non-existent. We had a music class once a week in grammar school, where we sang hippie songs around the piano and memorized a handful of music facts. ("Zubin Mehta is the conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.") My knowledge of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was nil. And so this film became the core of my knowledge of Mozart and his music and life. It was twenty-two years before I found out it was mostly a fantasy.

This year I am teaching my son all about classical music and composers. We homeschool, and I want my children's music education to be more than what I had. I want them to be able to read music and play and instrument. And I want them to be familiar with important works and composers. So each month this year we listen to a different composer and read a children's biography of him together. First up was Mozart, one of my favorites. How surprised was I when the details of his life did not jibe with what I remembered. Well, maybe I remembered it wrong.

I recently had the opportunity to watch the film again, for the first time since I had seen it in the theater in 1984. On the DVD there are extra materials, and one of those extra features discusses how the story was developed. The film was adapted from a play by Peter Shaffer. Shaffer took vignettes of the life and legend of Mozart and wove them into a "fantasia." Fantasy? Made up? I felt cheated. Don't get me wrong, it is a good movie, a compelling tale of a faith abandoned, a life given over to sin. But I was told, by the filmmakers and my teachers, that this was history. Even the behemoth Internet Movie Database lists the genre of this film first as "Biography," then "Drama." Nowhere in the film itself is the same disclaimer made as in the DVD extras; that the film was largely fictionalized from some facts of Mozart's and Salieri's lives.

Putting the historical issue aside, the film is worthy of attention. Not because of it's title character, Mozart, who appears in it only through the eyes and reminiscences of Salieri. It is really the story of the soul of Salieri. His immature spirituality and pride which lead to disaster. F. Murray Abraham is compelling as the Italian-born Salieri, court composer to Emporer Joseph in 1790's Vienna. Mozart is portrayed (by Tom Hulce) as an immature alcoholic.

The dialogue, unfortunately, contains some foul language and adult conduct. There is also a bloody scene which could be upsetting. I would recommend this for older teens and adults, with the caveat that this isn't really what happened.

Amadeus - Great movie and story. A lot of what was in this movie was factually false. They have to change things for Hollywood as they do with all true stories. In real life, Mozart's wife was as bad as he was. The movie makes her into a saint. The story behind his death was untrue as well. Mozart never knew Salieri, which disappointed me, but its true. Oh well, it's a great movie anyway.

Perfect example of "Buyer Beware". This was an ebay Seller with a VERY high positive rating. DVD Movie Amadeus was advertised as "still in shrink wrap" packaging. Went on to say "not a copy"... PayPal was NOT available from this seller...with good reason. Wrote a personal check...and it was cashed...and weeks later received an ILLEGAL DVD-9 CHINESE COPY OF A U.S. COPYRIGHTED MOVIE...in violation of Federal Law.
The PRODUCT was ILLEGAL - ebay is of NO help.

An excellent movie, although some poetic license was taken. The script, the costumes, and most importantly the actors were all first rate. Highly entertaining and worth the price of admission. If you need a little culture in you life, Amadeus will get the job done.

WORTHY OF THE ACADEMY AWARDS WINNER FOR IT IS ONE OF THOSE CINEMATIC SUJECTS WHICH NEEDS TENDER LOVING CARE TO PULL OFF WITHOUT BEING BORED WITH CLASSICAL MUSIC. WELL DONE AND 3 CHEERS FOR THE DIRECTOR..WHO PULLED IT OFF.

JUST AS I REMEMBERED IT FROM YESTERDAY.VERY SAD BUT TRUE STORY OF HIS AMAZING LIFE.PLAYED BY TOM HULCE ,FROM THE ANIMAL HOUSE FAME.IT WAS AN EXCELLANT PERFORMANCE.AND F MURRAY ABRAHAM,TRULY ANOTHER AMAZING AND GIFTED ACTOR.BOTH WERE UP FOR AN OSCAR BUT ONLY MR. ABRAHAM WOULD BE THE VICTOR..GREAT MUSIC AS WELL..

Worth every effort to procure. Great music and costumes, Tom Hulce's silly, irritating giggle and E.F. Abraham's academy award-winning portrayal of Salieri, the man who blamed himself for Mozart's death at so early an age. Fascinating, well-directed and cast, a believable docu-drama with some literary license, but it tells a good story. Mozart died a penniless unknown, yet Salieri outlived his own successful carreer, until his work was all but forgotten, while Mozart's music thrived decades after his death, and still inspires centuries later. Jealous and embittered, Salieri was committed to an insane asylum. You have to watch this film, no I did not spoil the ending. Surprises await. A must-see!

This movie is one of my all time favorites. why? Well,the play itself, by Peter Shaffer, is just divine. With the phenomenal acting,set and costumes this movie illuminates all the beauty marks and flaws of Mozart so well....great movie!!!!

I have been playing paino a long time, and let me tell you--Mozart is incredible; most incredible. His music never sounds the least bit tinny or unpleasant, but is almost always uplifting and bright

I'll get to the movie itself. Amadeus was a good film. Not the best portrayal of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, yet it fill fit most people's need for a good drama/historical fiction. The actors did a very good job with their roles, and they all were realistic enough.

However, the reason I give four stars is not because of acting, actors, or music, but of the realism. True, Mozart was jokster, and perhaps had a drink every once in a while. BUT, he was not a drunken bum as the movie seemed to show him. I know this for a fact. Overall it was good.

D.D.L. Fedison

Item arrived earlier than expected, which was good, and in good condition. I enjoyed the movie. The price was very reasonable. Thank you very much.

entertaining, informative and a great portrayal of the life of Mozart plus you just have to love the music.

Amadeus is one of those strange movies that you either love or hate. I wonder if it is a true story? Amadeus was drunk all the time, didn't take life seriously but had true song writing talent. The story line is good!

Product was never received dispite several attempts to contact the seller after payment. Transaction is currently under review/dispute.

have always loved this movie.only thing that I do not like is that it is very long. it is still a great buy and I hope that others enjoy it as well

One of my favorite movies because of the period in time,costumes,the person and the music. Mozart was such a gifted musician and composer. How many of our past contributors to the arts rose to fame in life, pasted impoverished and rose to life again? There is nothing about this movie that I didn't like. I bought it to replace my old worn out copy!

It is one of the best movies out there. The way F. Murray Abraham portrayed Antonio Salieri was amazing. The concentration and impressionism is amazing nevermind the performace of Tom Hulce as Amadeus.

Truly a great movie. Pour a big glass, turn the phone off and watch it!!

This is a movie that is filled with outstanding music, and it showed what a pig he was. For those, like my Step Daughter, who love music, you will love this movie. Enjoy!!

I love Mozart music. I always wanted to collect Mozart Music and Screen. The DVD was great in sound and screen quality. I was extreamly happy with that price. That DVD was what I wanted since long years before

I got the movie pretty quick. I was very glad about that, however it was in a plastic sleeve. that is not what i was expecting. Over all he did pretty good.

As a classical musician I always honored Mozart's music. Besides its occasional vulgarity it keeps your interest, in awe, featuring a lot of Mozart's music. Tom Hulce did a terrific job playing Mozart. I do not know if it is common to have to flip over a DVD to see the ending of one, but with mine you do. The complexity of the DVD is just right, but for some it might be too complex.

One of the best movies I have ever seen. Amadeus takes a very interesting approach looking at the life and times of Mozart.

thanks for this opportunity the DVD IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND QUALITY OF THE PIC EXCELENT THANKS AND NICE TO DO BUSINNESS WITH YOU

loved it! Saw this movie years ago on vhs that I rented and was blown away by this movie, couldn't believe it when I saw this on ebay on dvd! Highly recommended!!!!

Fast and easy transaction. Item is exactly as described. Could not find it in town so turned to Half.com. Thanks.