This movie remains one of my favorites because in Salieri, I connected with the feelings of envy I had as a musician and the deeper psychological and theological questions the movie/play asks about talent, giftedness, and responsibility. The play is after all not called “Mozart” or “Wolfgang” but “Amadeus”, the love of God. It’s not a biopic, it’s more a psychological study. It’s Salieri (and us) wrestling with the question of “why that jerk and not me?” Same question we all asked in the band room or the piano recital or just walking through the halls of high school. And so I say to you all, “Mediocrities everywhere . . . I absolve you.”
@@johnowen2880 NAILED IT. that first scene when Salieri says “No, that is Mozart.” to the priest. What a flawless introduction. F. Murray Abraham was perfect in that film. I cannot imagine anyone else playing that part better than him.
One of my favorite editing moments of the movie is when Salieri is flipping through the folio containing Mozart's compositions, with the music transitioning as he's reading the sheet music and hearing them in his head. That was such a deft use of the soundtrack, and really something which had never been done before that I can recall.
Agree... that montage sequence is singular and one of the films finest moments. The variety and quality of the clips used, their sequence, the pacing, the voiceover, were all just expertly done.
I'm 76, and watched it in the theater with my kids, both serious rock musicians. We all loved it. "Rock me, Amadeus" is on a playlist that I listen to when I am out driving and shopping, I just listened to it a few hours ago. I'm not Gen X, but I like the movie.
The Confutatis scene is hands-down the best film scene _about_ music ever made. Watching those two master musicians building that beautiful piece layer by layer, and then the final spine-chilling reveal still fills my soul every time I watch it. And the most incredible thing about it for me took me years to realize: that _there is no music playing in that room._ The room itself is silent; the music is all happening _in their heads._ That was ground-breaking for me. It throws into undeniable relief that Mozart's music is the third character in the love/hate triangle that frames the film: Mozart, Salieri, and the soundtrack. It's a palpable player in the drama, constantly speaking to and directing the emotional action of the film. I cannot think of a film that makes better use of its soundtrack.
Gen Xer here ( 1966), and classical musician. 😉 Not only have I seen this film several times, sitting through it twice in the same theater (with the manager's permission), I also saw the play on Broadway, on which the film was based. It's a masterpiece! 💖🎶
I'm at the tail end of Gen X, and was all of 6 when it came out. However, my dad was a band teacher, so I got to go see this in the theater with my folks. I felt very grown up as none of my yourger siblings got to come.
Was introduced to Amadeus by watching it in my middle school music class. I am not a musician and have zero musical ability, but I know what I like. Looney Tunes and Amadeus helped introduce me to classical music and gave me a lifelong love of the genre. I may not know all the technical details, but Mozart is one artist that I can listen to and have no doubt that I am hearing the work of a true genius. Plus, Amadeus is just a really great film. 😊
Check out some of Salieri's operas: Les Danaïdes, La grotta di Trofonio, Falstaff, Europa riconosciuta, Armida and a few others which have recordings. He was a master of the stage and a gifted melodist in his own right. Mozart and the other big names in classical music are often the gateway, but in the garden beyond grows many a delightful little flower.
For sure, it's really good (and could absolutely be a subject for a future video). I'm interested in B-tier composers... the canon is just the very tip of the iceberg, there's a huge volume of great music written by folks who often just barely didn't make the cut.
I was born in 2000, and my parents are solidly baby boomers. Amadeus has been a comfort film for my entire life. I’m now a classical musician, and while Mozart isn’t my favorite composer, his music is held in the canon for a reason.
I'm from 1974 and I've followed most of your "Amadeusians" stets. Still enjoy watching if every now and again. A true masterpiece of a movie on so many lavels.
Older Gen X: saw this in the theatre, and it’s still in my top 3 favourite films. Now watch the Director's Cut regularly, and love it - more is more for me! Thank you for such a great dissertation on this superlative, and eminently quotable classic.
I first saw Amadeus on Broadway and amazing opening with Salieri monologue. The old man hunched over in his last days in voice and manner, he throws off a blanket to stand up as the young Salieri. No makeup needed and the transformation perfect and unforgettable. The actor? Same as in the film.
Loved Amadeus❣️ Martern aller Arten was a revelation to my 15yr old ears in the theatre. A decade later, while listening to a Sutherland recording it walloped me again during a workout; I hadn’t realized it was in the playlist. Thank you for this video!
Great job! I to saw Amadeus in the theater and loved it. I to am a music nerd. Great job in explaining and exploring the film. I would love to see this film turned into a Criterion Collection.
And, by “theater”, I’m guessing that you do NOT mean LIVE theatre, where AMADEUS had its World Premiere in Nov, 1979, at the Royal National Theatre, directed by Sir Peter Hall. Reportedly, Amadeus playwright, Peter Shaffer, based his book on an 1830 play by Alexander Pushkin. Amadeus had its Broadway premiere in late 1980, winning the Tony Award for Best Play in 1981. Five years after its world premiere, the feature film, Amadeus hit the cinema screens.
the winter of 1984 was cold, i lied to my mother and walked to the Movie Theater. I just finished reading the play and so wanted to see the film, i would of been the only person there if it was a mother daughter team sitting in the back row. The film lifted me creatively and the walk home was filled with warmth, When i got home my mother knew i liked and i remember the day she saw the film. on TV and saw the cross thrown into the fire place, she was OH NO! this film isnt for me. i was in my first year of Art school learning the basics and this film was good fuel. I never seen a better film since
I love this so much. My mother loved the movie, but pretended not to see the Salieri-talks-to-God scenes. Thanks for watching and for sharing your story with me.
I saw this movie when it came on HBO at 12 yo and was blown away. I saw all the typical movies of the time but I never really noticed great acting until this movie.
I was 16 in 1985 and I can tell you that this movie definitely influenced my sense of fashion. I bought a shiny jacket at a thrift shop and tied my permed hair into a low ponytail… Voilà, Amadeus! Seems like Mozart and Madonna were my fashion icons in the mid 1980s
I was also 11 when this movie came out and was already quite schooled as a pianist. I super loved this movie and pretty sure this is why i started composing my own music at around this time.
Born in '70. I was so in love with movies back then, this movie became a constant background movie to run at home, along with the Broadway soundtrack to _Sweeney Todd_ , and _Goodfellas_ . It sent me down the historical movie rabbit hole, where _Dangerous Liasons_ and _The Madness of King George_ awaited. Original version for me, AND I just showed it to my 15 year old who loved it too.
It must've been Gen Xers who first started doing that... running epic movies in the background at home. We did it all the time... Amadeus, Willow, among others, and later it was Princess Bride that became a constant Sunday afternoon feature. Such a great time.
@@TheAmateurPiano Birth of the vcr did it. Got one in '79, got HBO in '78 (it came on at 5pm and went off the air at about 1am!) and it was all over for me. Spending allowences on blank tapes, my sacred #8 tape with Blues Brothers, Animal House, Caddyshack and Stripes... Man, I'd like to see that tape again someday.
Yep! You got me! I was 12 at the time and I became obsessed. But I was never a classical music nerd though, at least not specifically 'classical'...I became a music afficionado but more at the 'rock/punk/post-punk' side of the spectrum. Music still plays an incredible part in my life: I play classical guitar (can play a little Bach, developed my own 'arrangement' of Mahler's adagietto!) and 'rock on' with my electrical one too. You know, I have very fond memories of watching this movie at my folks' place in VHS with my friends with the sound blasting really high from the tv set! Wow!! You made me nostalgic...
For me, this film was a beautiful gateway into the world of classical music and the work of director Miloš Forman... and so, holds a great place in my heart. Superb essay, bravo!
I think the most relatable moment in the film is when Salieri says to the priest, "All I wanted was to sing to God. He gave me that longing... and then made me mute. Why? Tell me that. If He didn't want me to praise him with music, why implant the desire? Like a lust in my body! And then deny me the talent?" Everyone no matter what they do or want to be can relate to that. For me Amadeus is about two things the first one being the grass is always greener on the other side. Salieri wanted the talent Mozart had. Mozart wanted the respect and position Salieri had. Secondly I believe this movie is about The Spirit of the Age. That was the point. Mozart and Salieri were picked so to speak to demonstrate that. There is such a stark contrast. Salieri's work was good but labored over, academic maybe. Mozart's took a form like opera and forged new ground with it. Whether he wanted to or not. And Mozart did have his detractors, and people plotting against him, stealing from him, One of the most important lines in the movie is "Composition doesn't pay". Why? Why didn't composition pay? Maybe because there weren't any copyright laws. If there had been Mozart would have died a millionaire. Because there weren't copyright laws, anybody going public with their work is open to thievery. There were no royalty fees either. I love the humor in the movie as well. The little touches throughout the film that also make it relatable. I do want to give a shoutout to the actor that played the priest. You have to believe the priest was put through the emotional wringer with the confession of a lifetime. And at the end of the movie you do. He couldn't take a minute more of Salieri's story. But he's now stuck with a bitter resentful guy. God killed Mozart and left Salieri alive to torture. Salieri seeing Mozart's music grow in popularity and his remaining in the past. The play and the movie is an ingenious way of addressing musicians. Or famous people in general.
As someone from Gen Z, I finally watched the movie on Netflix, with a vague (possibly made up memory) of watching some of this movie as a child. I absolutely loved it, and totally related to it as a current music student. That feeling of frustration at seeing people succeed and having immense talent was so resonant. Such a masterful film, especially the Confutatis scene!! I recommend everyone to watch it!
It’s an absolute masterpiece of a movie. My favorite scene is when he is describing that third section of the Gran Partita. Which also just happens to be one of my favorite pieces of classical music. It’s one of those movies I will rewatch periodically. And there aren’t too many of those.
I liked this video. I’m not a Gen Xer and I only listen to Midwest emo but I’ll totally watch this once I figure out how to spell the name of the movie. You remind me a bit of my American history teacher, what a great guy!
Born in '81, but grew up with this movie, and it absolutely holds up 40 years on. My favorite bit of editing is the fade from Constansia's mother screeching "SELFISH" at him, to the Queen of the Night's aria, a song which my adolescent voice *longed* to be able to do, but never could.
YES. Yes to EVERYTHING in this video. Amadeus was my first exposure to classical music when I was a little kid. Started on violin, went to school for voice. This movie is crucial to my identity and love of music. And it's as delightfully silly as it is dark. I personally love Tom Hulce's Mozart. A perfect film. It's so so so special to me
Not Gen-X but I love this movie. Also I was friends with the man who played the Archbishop (may he rest in peace). I watched it with my husband, who looked at my face during the scene where the dying Mozart was dictating notes, keys, etc. to Salieri, my favorite scene, and he said "You know what they are talking about!" Yup.
Yep, Gen X, my parents had this movie on tape, and my sisters and I watched it over and over. Everything I learned about being an artist I learned from this movie, and it eventually sent me to Mozart operas at the Met, and to hear Requiem at Lincoln Center as well. So grateful for its beauty.
1973 so I'm possibly your very same age I never ever identified myself as "generation X", even if back in those Amadeus days, I also was a Billy Idol fan, and he used to lead a former late '70s/early '80s punk rock outfit named Generation X I made almost the same steps: - Watchin' the movie at my own school theater - Havin' it borrowed by a friend of mine and copying it via vhs home video/recording player - Getting the Director's cut in dvd and then buying the complete soundtrack right away - Getting a selection of same soundtrack in a limited edition MontBlanc stylo pen package - Travelling Salzburg with my brother, a baritone getting there for a lied singing masterclass - Getting there again with my back then fiancée (nowadays, unfortunately, already ex wife) - Watchin' the movie with my only son, studying classical composers in the very same school I attended, back when the movie was out everywhere in theaters hard to choose a moment in the movie probably my favorite piece is the opening symphony #25 G minor Thank you for your remarkable tribute
@@TheAmateurPiano my pleasure PS Last connection to the movie… my brother studied there being a classically trained baritone… but I’m a (parttime) bass player just like the late Falco (the Forman’s movie inspired “rock me Amadeus”)
I was 8 when this came out. I saw it in the theater and I was OBSESSED. I was too young to be in the school music program, but I started playing violin as soon as I was able, and continued for the next 4 years, before my family moved to another state where the school had no orchestra. This movie is a great double feature with Immortal Beloved, which is about Beethoven.
Great video. I am not particularly musical, but you do make some excellent points about how many of my opinions on how music works were informed by this movie. As, perhaps, one example: I have long imagined that if I can consume or own certain things that it would make up for the appalling gaps in my rural Utah education. This mostly took the form of books that were considered classics, but music was in there as well. While we were in the Netherlands, Phillips was in the process of releasing the complete works of Mozart (a collection of 170 CDs which you can now buy for the low, low price of only $250. I may have to pick it up) and I dreamed of some day owning the collection as a mark of status. I may have to take you up on the suggestion to rewatch the movie... Two other thoughts: 1- My favorite apocryphal Mozart story: A young man came to Mozart and asked him how to write a symphony. Mozart replied, “You are too young to write a symphony. You should start with quartets.” The man replied, “But Herr Mozart, you were writing symphonies when you were ten, and I am twenty-one.” Mozart said, “Ah yes, but I didn't have to ask anyone how.” 2- Speaking of movies have you managed to watch Toy Story yet?
Must've been 1997-98 ish that I received a lovely box set of the Complete Mozart from a dear friend for my birthday, which I proudly displayed for years... back in the days of CD racks and shelves for physical media were things one simply had to have. Setting status aside, I fondly remember the days when you could quietly learn a lot about whomever you were visiting by simply perusing their book/CD/DVD shelves. For us, only the physical books remain... everything else is vaulted on hard drives or lives in the cloud. I did finally watch Toy Story and found the little green toy soldiers adorable.
Born '82. When i was young I would just stare at the box art in the rental store. In my teens I finally watched it and it's been one of my favorites from then on.
The Making of Amadeus is available on YT for free and it's wonderful to hear the major players behind this masterpiece tell their stories. I think this film is my favorite. It's definitely one I have obsessed over and never fail to appreciate. Great video 👍
I was born in '74.... Adore this movie....not a classical kid .....but the role of Salieri is haunting. An empathetic villain. He is the reason, for me.
There are three quotes that have stayed with me since I saw the movie in the theatre when it came out. (P.S., the theatre was so crowded, I had to sit separately from my parents.) They convince me over and over that F. Murray Abraham's performance was one of the best ever. They are: "That was Mozart" With extreme weariness. "Wolfgang. Amadeus. Mozart." "Everybody liked me." Then, looking a little embarrassed: "I liked myself." Finally, holding up his hands while intercut with the scene of reading Mozart's original compositions: "I was staring through the cage of those meticulous ink strokes at an absolute...beauty."
His was an ASTOUDING performance. One line I deeply love but couldn't fit into my video was "And do you know what happened? A MIRACLE!" as his father chokes at lunch, cut to father in coffin with a boys choir singing "amen, amen, amen, A-MEN!" We watched that scene over and over, howling with laughter.
Gen X, saw this just before getting my first payment of study allowance and I immediately rushed out and bought the box set of The Complete Mozart Masterworks on audio cassette. I loved them. The scene where Mozart improvises improvements to Salieri's march was iconic for me, but there are so many great bits. Salieri asking the priest if he recognises any of his pieces for him to only recognise Mozart's, just gold. And as much as I would have loved the nudity as a teen, I did find the extended cut seemed less impactful with the pacing and such. Strangely, though this was a classical gateway for me and many, at the time I was treated like a fake fan but everyone I knew who already liked Mozart. Such weird gatekeeping, I'm glad that wasn't everyone's experience.
THAT scene, the humiliating-improvement-upon-Salieri scene. There's so much there. Why exactly was what he did better, more interesting, more memorable? Rhetorical question, but it really made us all think about music in a way that perhaps we hadn't before. Yeah I think it's clear--no one likes the directors cut, least of all me--that Constanze scene and everything else they added back in was just tragic.
Amadeus is on my annual watch list. I, too, prefer the original theatrical version, although the scene with Constanze offering herself to Salieri does explain the attitude with which she greets him during the Requiem scene. Brilliant from start to finish, not a line out of place. Perfectly cast. Amazing.
I had no idea there were people out there like me who counted this movie as their favorite movie of all time. Every time I’m asked what my favorite movie is, I answer Amadeus. 80% of the time, the person asking had no idea what I’m talking about. I, literally, thought I was the only one!!
I found a picture you drew in 6th grade a couple days ago. It's genei, btw..... I want to send you a pic of it! Love you! Also, this movie is one of my all time favs. I can recite it by memory.
Oh my goodness, which picture?? Such a great movie... maybe we watched it together? Given we were joined at the hip for like 10 years it wouldn't surprise me!! Love you too!!!
Thanks for sharing. I think I first saw it in late '85, maybe early '86, on VHS. I'd seen Gene Siksel and Roger Ebert rave about it roughly a year earlier and I was glad to see it. I remember watching it with some theater students and a faculty member at my college. The instructor easily identified all the operas staged in the film because he said he had worked on them. Favorite scenes: 1) the scene where Salieri's valets are outside his door with food (sugar cakes and cream, maybe?), which makes me hungry thinking about it; and 2) Mozart's musical impressions. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular (and GenXer)
Years later, after becoming sufficiently "worldly", I assumed the edibles in the opening scene were profiteroles served with some sort of delicious creme fraiche topping... but you are so so right. Just thinking about it makes me crave whatever it was. The globule of it on Sancho Panza's nose was also, I hoped, a happy accident that Forman just decided to keep!
Great video D - brings back so much memories! (The part about score analysis was so on point - but this led to a slightly different world of soundtracker / sequencer 😂)
I don’t think I saw this in the theater, and some years later was a bit surprised to find that it had become my favorite movie. In the lonely days before streaming, whenever I came across it on TV I would think “I’ll watch a couple minutes of it” and then had watched to the end. I loves it.
I am not gen x, thus this movie didn't make my childhood, but I love this movie. Firstly, the acting. While Abraham did a marvelous job acting, I feel Hulce did better. It is now known that this movie is mostly fictitious, however, it is also widely known that Mozart was immature, childish, and a pure genius. The role of Salieri seemed to be that of a normal, slightly gifted man with jealousy and pride issues. Mozart, on the other hand, had to be portrayed as a musical genius, but also as a man-child. I find these differences best displayed in four scenes of the movie: the confutatus scene, the queen of the night, the first appearance of Salieri as the anonymous man, and the entrance of Salieris writing of Non Piu Andrai. Firstly, Non Piu Andrai from the Marriage of Figaro. This scene shows how Salieri works hard to make music, and is gifted enough to write decently, but when Mozart comes in, he immaturely insults Salieri by improving the piece without even seeing it. Then it shows salieris damaged pride, and jealousy. Next is Queen of the Night and Salieris appearance anonymously. Mozart became so enthralled with the music, that he completely shut out the outside world. Lastly the confutatus scene. This shows how Mozarts genius mind was working, how it was actually working. But it also showed how Salieri struggled to keep up with it, he understood it just fine but he couldn't keep up. Circling back around, where Salieri is a mostly normal man, all Abraham had to do was display emotions. Hulce had to be Mozart, be a genius, convince us he was a genius, be immature and inappropriate at times, things that aren't always as simple as they look. Next a brief mention, while today he doesn't really work, and we all know why, Jeffrey Jones had a great time in the 80s, Ferris Bueller, Beetlejuice, and Amadeus. He went from a strict, but slightly buffoon principal to laid back husband/father, to the well kept, well mannered king. I also loved Simon Callows appearance, it was interesting to see him so young, having only seen him in phantom of the opera. Next, is the directors cut. I know you have seen everything about the movie, but the thing to remember is that movies always shoot more than they put on screen. Gone are the days of deleted scenes and bloopers. The directors cut put everything back in to the movie that was missing in the theatrical cut, allowing much more context to certain scenes. We all know the r rated nude scene, but that scene is what truly made Salieri despicable. On one hand he was keeping to his religious values, and abstaining from any relations, but he also made sure to humiliate constanza, in a way that he wasn't implicated, in hopes of hurting Mozart. But he did so in complete jealousy of Mozart's talent and his willingness to throw away anything that didn't align with his music. Salieri attempted to abscond with Mozart music, and ruin him, but Mozart was completely oblivoius. But this scene shows why constanzas hated Salieri later. There are few other scenes, but this one always sticks out the most. Something I think alot of people miss is the performing monkey syndrome. Salieri specifically mentions being a boy, at school, while Mozart was touring, and performing for kings, and writing symphonies and operas. This is the same issues that plagued Michael Jackson. Dad takes the gifted son out to show off his genius, or abilities, only to screw up his son in the process. Leading to adult life being that much harder, writing your cousin about cleaning poop, from someone. Or dangling blanket from a balcony. This story is known to have been overly exaggerated, and made up. But it is a wonderful way to spend three hours, and learn something about classical music, and the life of a musician in times long past.
Wow thanks for this great comment! Researching this video, I found way more Tom Hulce haters out there than I expected. I think he delivered an iconic character performance and drove very close to the ledge. There"s just massive contrast and range in the role, it was THE performance of his career! Thanks so much for watching and sharing your views, really appreciate it!
@TheAmateurPiano I think Tom was relegated to b or c list jobs mostly. I have only seen him elsewhere in Animal House and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, personally. He has had work, just not anything really popular and well known. I would have loved to see him pull a Matthew Broderick, while Amadeus was serious, Mozart wasn't. But see him come off the high of that role to do a much more important and moving role. Just like Broderick did coming off of Ferris Bueller, and doing Glory.
As a young adult(born 2002) I watch the director cut growing up, I quite enjoy the movie, still not a fan of classical music but I appreciate bio pics, especially with good scores
I was 11 when this came out so I was into GIJoe and Transformers but when this hit me it froze me in my tracks. It definitely was the gateway to classical music for me. A MASTERPIECE‼️ I was a little disappointed to find out it wasn’t his life story but a play but, I still love the movie nonetheless. “These…are originals?” I love that line from Salieri😂
It's refreshing to hear an intelligent perspective from another member of Generation X. Thank you. Indeed, I recall that film taking on a life of its own, its influence even permeating pop music. I graduated from high school in 1985.
@@TheAmateurPiano Ohh dear. That means I'm an Elder Gen X'er. Like an Elder Goth 😂 I bought my first house in 1991; Denver, CO $67,000. I dare say it's worth half a million now.
Yes I'm a classically trained pianist and doublebassist, but I no longer freelance and never taught. Just an amateur enthusiast with a busy day job these days.
Though 'get x', I distinctly WASN'T a high school classical musical nerd. I was one of those 'Bugs Bunny classical' kids. Knew some of the music and composers but mostly by cartoons, osmosis and roaming the radio dial. I was then (and still am) a massive fan of this movie. I had one friend that was as much of a movie nerd as I was way back in the 80s. Everyone in our group was down to watch all the big teen fare that was available at the time and so was I but we always had a few that we watched just for us. Amadeus was one of those movies. I was like the priest hearing Salieri's confession and knew nothing about Mozart and, just the same, when Eine Klein Nachtmusik is played I was surprised. Turns out I DID know Mozart!. Fantastic movie that I quote at least once a week. Well...there it is.
Harrumpf! Even though I was born too early to be GenX, I loved this movie! I know I'n not the only one. KVOD in Denver played a lot of Salieri in the late '80s. If you liked the costumes, then watch the Sci Fi Channel's Dune. Theodor Pistek made the costumes for that as well.
I watched this movie again recently. Fabulous!! I was raised on classical music and to see how real the lives were of these people (even tho it is heavily fictionalized.
I was born just a few years later, so I missed out on the initial buzz. But I did pick up the DVD and chuckle and bought it. Why? Because, I saw the title, remember hearing it's supposed to be a good movie, then, in my head, a female voice. "Ooh! Help me dr Zaius!"... Yes. Because of "Stop The Planet Of The Apes, I Want To Get Off!". I remember the song "Dr Zaius", parodying Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus", I bought the DVD titled only Amadeus. And yes, It is a great film. Thank you Troy McClure for inadvertently steering me towards a great cinematic experience, even though it was at home on a TV.
Please, Lord, release a remastered Blu-Ray of the theatrical version, so I may pitch that bloated Director’s Cut. And no, AMADEUS didn’t make a classical music aficionado out of me. A girlfriend who was an opera fan once took me to a local production of “Tosca,” which is as close as I got to entering that world. Still mostly into post-bebop jazz, blues, and classic rock. But I tend to love the music in the films I love, and AMADEUS is no exception.
Totally... we were convinced either The Killing Fields or A Passage to India would win, couldn't have been more shocked when it just kept winning and winning that night!
By that definition I'm a Gen Xer too. I saw this film soon after its release in 1984, and found it moving. The year after I visited Forman's, and Mozart's, Prague, which was fairly amazing too. Not as nice as Vienna 1976, but similar.
@@TheAmateurPiano Prague has probably changed more since my visit despite being more recent. Because, you know, the fall of communism. In Vienna it was great to visit both the Staatsoper and the Volksoper.
The only time Mozart used the word Amadeus for his middle name was in jest in letters, signing at least one Wolfgangus Amadeus Mozarty. He usually spelled it Amade'. The one thing that I find very interesting about Mozart's struggle finding gainful employment was commented on by him in his letters - Mozart said (whether truly in humility or not we don't know) that he felt his talent was a gift from God, and his rejection and mistreatment by the aristocracy was their rejection of God's gift of that music. If one reads enough TRUE stories about Mozart, the man was looking for stable employment where he felt the music would be appreciated the way Haydn's was by the Esterhazy family. For some reason that position never materialized for Mozart, and the freelance artist didn't exist yet. There seems to be a myth that after Mozart left Salzburg he became a freelance composer.
recently watched the directors cut on netflix. i had seen chunnks of this movie throughout my youth but had my interest renewed in it when the yt algo presented me with an in-depth analysis of the film. In a multipart vid series (i forget the name of the yt channel), it invigorated a sense of interest in the film. I enjoyed it quite a bit (both the film and the yt series done on it). It's a tragic film, and a very good film. A must see of classical music and cinema lovers alike.
I am definitely generation X, but I am not a huge classical music nerd. But I realize that our generation was the last generation that really valued music universally. When I was a baby, the biggest fan in the world was the Beatles and when I was 20 years old, the biggest recording artist was Michael Jackson. When I saw the movie, I had never taken a class in anything musical. I didn’t know how it works and the movie kind of repeats the idea that it’s something that you are born with. And we’ve all seen what happens when somebody thinks that they are a genius and they’re not. Kanye West comes to mind. Mozart was a genius and I’m sorry to say he’s the only classical musician, that I kinda know his life story. As a creative person, I’m supposed to be a genius visual artist, but what I found out is that you still need to training the people that you see gaining success? A very young age are either constantly in training or they have been training five or 10 years before you became aware of them. The problem is now that the music industry is hostile to even the most talented, good-looking and socially/emotionally artists. This all comes back to John Lennon. The last megastar to take an anti-ruling class political stance. Nobody does that anymore not even the rappers. Especially the rappers who all seem to be capitalist. So this movie is cautionary.
great movie, though not my intro to classical music, that goes to our local ice skating rink which played a lot of classical, i just didn't know what it was at the time. would like to see you review Immortal Beloved.
First I will have to watch Immortal Beloved... I remembered hearing it was a disaster and was, I guess, 'loyal' to Amadeus (lol) so didn't watch it. Will have a watch and ponder doing a review.
I remember going to see this film with my mom a dad and afterwards my father turned to me and asked: “Are to telling me that you actually enjoyed that movie?” I told him that of course I did. And why didn’t he? I’ve watched this film dozens of times, and after every viewing - sometimes when I haven’t even seen it in a while, but I remember it - I laugh to myself and think about that question.
Oh that's a good one. I was absolutely the kid who chose Amadeus over Ghostbusters. Not that there's anything wrong with Ghostbusters, just saying it was a year of stark choices at the mall :D
@@TheAmateurPiano my Dad, a really amazing and supportive guy, used to get so annoyed with me after going to a movie when I’d be humming or singing the soundtrack as we drove home. “Why do you know the music already? Stop that!” lol
This movie remains one of my favorites because in Salieri, I connected with the feelings of envy I had as a musician and the deeper psychological and theological questions the movie/play asks about talent, giftedness, and responsibility. The play is after all not called “Mozart” or “Wolfgang” but “Amadeus”, the love of God. It’s not a biopic, it’s more a psychological study. It’s Salieri (and us) wrestling with the question of “why that jerk and not me?” Same question we all asked in the band room or the piano recital or just walking through the halls of high school. And so I say to you all, “Mediocrities everywhere . . . I absolve you.”
Yes! The brilliance of the Salieri character--thanks be to Pushkin--is its relatability.
“Amadeus”, the love of God -- Can't believe I never made this connection. Thank you!
@@johnowen2880 NAILED IT. that first scene when Salieri says “No, that is Mozart.” to the priest. What a flawless introduction. F. Murray Abraham was perfect in that film. I cannot imagine anyone else playing that part better than him.
I had no idea that Amadeus meant "the love of god'!
Spot on analysis John!!!
One of my favorite editing moments of the movie is when Salieri is flipping through the folio containing Mozart's compositions, with the music transitioning as he's reading the sheet music and hearing them in his head. That was such a deft use of the soundtrack, and really something which had never been done before that I can recall.
Agree... that montage sequence is singular and one of the films finest moments. The variety and quality of the clips used, their sequence, the pacing, the voiceover, were all just expertly done.
I'm 76, and watched it in the theater with my kids, both serious rock musicians. We all loved it. "Rock me, Amadeus" is on a playlist that I listen to when I am out driving and shopping, I just listened to it a few hours ago. I'm not Gen X, but I like the movie.
The Confutatis scene is hands-down the best film scene _about_ music ever made. Watching those two master musicians building that beautiful piece layer by layer, and then the final spine-chilling reveal still fills my soul every time I watch it. And the most incredible thing about it for me took me years to realize: that _there is no music playing in that room._ The room itself is silent; the music is all happening _in their heads._ That was ground-breaking for me. It throws into undeniable relief that Mozart's music is the third character in the love/hate triangle that frames the film: Mozart, Salieri, and the soundtrack. It's a palpable player in the drama, constantly speaking to and directing the emotional action of the film. I cannot think of a film that makes better use of its soundtrack.
How his landlady turns into the Queen of the Night has never left me! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
I don't have to be 30 years old to have watched Amadeus, I'm sixteen and watched the movie two years ago and heavily enjoyed it.
I'm a Millenial and this is my favorite movie of all time
F. Murray Abraham saying “And then… an oboe!” is an integral part of that song my whole life.
💯 and reading this comment made my day
THIS
Mr. F. Murray Abraham in Amadeus and Scarface are my favorite performances of the '80s!
Unfortunately, after seeing the scene homaged in How I Met Your Mother I now think “And then… a pickle.”
I'm Gen Z. My parents are Gen X. This movie is so good, I can recite the entire ending after just a single watch.
I only vaguely remember watching this in theaters, but I remember loving it. I also incorrectly remember it staring RDJr.
Gen Xer here ( 1966), and classical musician. 😉 Not only have I seen this film several times, sitting through it twice in the same theater (with the manager's permission), I also saw the play on Broadway, on which the film was based. It's a masterpiece! 💖🎶
I make it a point to watch Amadeus on a regular basis, but not so often as to make it feel like a chore. I cannot express how much I love this movie.
I was born in 77 and I'm still obsessed with this movie - bought the soundtrack and played it to death!
Amazing to hear from so many people who love this movie as much as I do... thanks for watching and commenting!
Mozart's cackle was the best part of the movie for me, we watched it in music class in school and every time he would laugh we would laugh as well.
I'm at the tail end of Gen X, and was all of 6 when it came out. However, my dad was a band teacher, so I got to go see this in the theater with my folks. I felt very grown up as none of my yourger siblings got to come.
Was introduced to Amadeus by watching it in my middle school music class. I am not a musician and have zero musical ability, but I know what I like. Looney Tunes and Amadeus helped introduce me to classical music and gave me a lifelong love of the genre. I may not know all the technical details, but Mozart is one artist that I can listen to and have no doubt that I am hearing the work of a true genius.
Plus, Amadeus is just a really great film. 😊
Lots of commenters raising the Looney Tunes connection, one that I certainly share... seems like it could be a good topic for another video!
Check out some of Salieri's operas: Les Danaïdes, La grotta di Trofonio, Falstaff, Europa riconosciuta, Armida and a few others which have recordings. He was a master of the stage and a gifted melodist in his own right. Mozart and the other big names in classical music are often the gateway, but in the garden beyond grows many a delightful little flower.
For sure, it's really good (and could absolutely be a subject for a future video). I'm interested in B-tier composers... the canon is just the very tip of the iceberg, there's a huge volume of great music written by folks who often just barely didn't make the cut.
I was born in 2000, and my parents are solidly baby boomers. Amadeus has been a comfort film for my entire life. I’m now a classical musician, and while Mozart isn’t my favorite composer, his music is held in the canon for a reason.
I'm from 1974 and I've followed most of your "Amadeusians" stets. Still enjoy watching if every now and again. A true masterpiece of a movie on so many lavels.
Absolutely, it's great to see so many validating comments from fellow Gen-Xers. For me it was a hugely important movie.
Older Gen X: saw this in the theatre, and it’s still in my top 3 favourite films. Now watch the Director's Cut regularly, and love it - more is more for me! Thank you for such a great dissertation on this superlative, and eminently quotable classic.
I first saw Amadeus on Broadway and amazing opening with Salieri monologue. The old man hunched over in his last days in voice and manner, he throws off a blanket to stand up as the young Salieri. No makeup needed and the transformation perfect and unforgettable. The actor? Same as in the film.
Loved Amadeus❣️ Martern aller Arten was a revelation to my 15yr old ears in the theatre. A decade later, while listening to a Sutherland recording it walloped me again during a workout; I hadn’t realized it was in the playlist. Thank you for this video!
Great job! I to saw Amadeus in the theater and loved it. I to am a music nerd. Great job in explaining and exploring the film. I would love to see this film turned into a Criterion Collection.
Thank you, and totally agreed on the Criterion Collection!
And, by “theater”, I’m guessing that you do NOT mean LIVE theatre, where AMADEUS had its World Premiere in Nov, 1979, at the Royal National Theatre, directed by Sir Peter Hall. Reportedly, Amadeus playwright, Peter Shaffer, based his book on an 1830 play by Alexander Pushkin. Amadeus had its Broadway premiere in late 1980, winning the Tony Award for Best Play in 1981. Five years after its world premiere, the feature film, Amadeus hit the cinema screens.
I was born 2004 and this movie changed so much within me
the winter of 1984 was cold, i lied to my mother and walked to the Movie Theater. I just finished reading the play and so wanted to see the film, i would of been the only person there if it was a mother daughter team sitting in the back row. The film lifted me creatively and the walk home was filled with warmth, When i got home my mother knew i liked and i remember the day she saw the film. on TV and saw the cross thrown into the fire place, she was OH NO! this film isnt for me. i was in my first year of Art school learning the basics and this film was good fuel. I never seen a better film since
I love this so much. My mother loved the movie, but pretended not to see the Salieri-talks-to-God scenes. Thanks for watching and for sharing your story with me.
I was born in 1996, Amadeus is one of my favourite movies. It definitely coincided with my falling in love with classical music.
Amazing to hear it has cross-generational impact... another commenter was bemoaning her kids not taking to it! Thanks for sharing.
I saw this movie when it came on HBO at 12 yo and was blown away. I saw all the typical movies of the time but I never really noticed great acting until this movie.
I was 16 in 1985 and I can tell you that this movie definitely influenced my sense of fashion. I bought a shiny jacket at a thrift shop and tied my permed hair into a low ponytail… Voilà, Amadeus! Seems like Mozart and Madonna were my fashion icons in the mid 1980s
So glam, love it!
I was also 11 when this movie came out and was already quite schooled as a pianist. I super loved this movie and pretty sure this is why i started composing my own music at around this time.
Born in '70. I was so in love with movies back then, this movie became a constant background movie to run at home, along with the Broadway soundtrack to _Sweeney Todd_ , and _Goodfellas_ . It sent me down the historical movie rabbit hole, where _Dangerous Liasons_ and _The Madness of King George_ awaited.
Original version for me, AND I just showed it to my 15 year old who loved it too.
It must've been Gen Xers who first started doing that... running epic movies in the background at home. We did it all the time... Amadeus, Willow, among others, and later it was Princess Bride that became a constant Sunday afternoon feature. Such a great time.
@@TheAmateurPiano Birth of the vcr did it. Got one in '79, got HBO in '78 (it came on at 5pm and went off the air at about 1am!) and it was all over for me. Spending allowences on blank tapes, my sacred #8 tape with Blues Brothers, Animal House, Caddyshack and Stripes... Man, I'd like to see that tape again someday.
Yep! You got me! I was 12 at the time and I became obsessed. But I was never a classical music nerd though, at least not specifically 'classical'...I became a music afficionado but more at the 'rock/punk/post-punk' side of the spectrum. Music still plays an incredible part in my life: I play classical guitar (can play a little Bach, developed my own 'arrangement' of Mahler's adagietto!) and 'rock on' with my electrical one too.
You know, I have very fond memories of watching this movie at my folks' place in VHS with my friends with the sound blasting really high from the tv set! Wow!! You made me nostalgic...
For me, this film was a beautiful gateway into the world of classical music and the work of director Miloš Forman... and so, holds a great place in my heart. Superb essay, bravo!
I think the most relatable moment in the film is when Salieri says to the priest, "All I wanted was to sing to God. He gave me that longing... and then made me mute. Why? Tell me that. If He didn't want me to praise him with music, why implant the desire? Like a lust in my body! And then deny me the talent?"
Everyone no matter what they do or want to be can relate to that.
For me Amadeus is about two things the first one being the grass is always greener on the other side.
Salieri wanted the talent Mozart had. Mozart wanted the respect and position Salieri had.
Secondly I believe this movie is about The Spirit of the Age. That was the point. Mozart and Salieri were picked so to speak to demonstrate that. There is such a stark contrast.
Salieri's work was good but labored over, academic maybe. Mozart's took a form like opera and forged new ground with it. Whether he wanted to or not.
And Mozart did have his detractors, and people plotting against him, stealing from him,
One of the most important lines in the movie is "Composition doesn't pay". Why? Why didn't composition pay? Maybe because there weren't any copyright laws. If there had been Mozart would have died a millionaire. Because there weren't copyright laws, anybody going public with their work is open to thievery. There were no royalty fees either.
I love the humor in the movie as well. The little touches throughout the film that also make it relatable.
I do want to give a shoutout to the actor that played the priest. You have to believe the priest was put through the emotional wringer with the confession of a lifetime. And at the end of the movie you do. He couldn't take a minute more of Salieri's story. But he's now stuck with a bitter resentful guy. God killed Mozart and left Salieri alive to torture. Salieri seeing Mozart's music grow in popularity and his remaining in the past.
The play and the movie is an ingenious way of addressing musicians. Or famous people in general.
Guilty. Born in 1967. Loved the film. I compare all period films to this masterpiece.
I really appreciated the directors cut. Much better than the comparatively dark and blurry VHS with it's weak sound.
As someone from Gen Z, I finally watched the movie on Netflix, with a vague (possibly made up memory) of watching some of this movie as a child. I absolutely loved it, and totally related to it as a current music student. That feeling of frustration at seeing people succeed and having immense talent was so resonant. Such a masterful film, especially the Confutatis scene!! I recommend everyone to watch it!
It was the double hit of this and Purple Rain that drove me to passionately pursue music
It’s an absolute masterpiece of a movie. My favorite scene is when he is describing that third section of the Gran Partita. Which also just happens to be one of my favorite pieces of classical music. It’s one of those movies I will rewatch periodically. And there aren’t too many of those.
I watched it as a boomer, but I gained from it all the things you did.
I liked this video. I’m not a Gen Xer and I only listen to Midwest emo but I’ll totally watch this once I figure out how to spell the name of the movie. You remind me a bit of my American history teacher, what a great guy!
Terrific, in exchange I've put Midwest Emo on my list of music to explore... completely new to me!
@@beansblue6946 lol!
What a great snobby indie attitude that you only listen to Midwest Emo 😁 So totally relate
Millennial here. I love Amadeus. It is one of my top 100.
Same here 💜
Born in '81, but grew up with this movie, and it absolutely holds up 40 years on. My favorite bit of editing is the fade from Constansia's mother screeching "SELFISH" at him, to the Queen of the Night's aria, a song which my adolescent voice *longed* to be able to do, but never could.
Another AMAZING transition... from "you won't have a pot to piss in!" direct to Queen of the Night, brilliant!
Born 1985(elder millennial). One of my favs of all time. Any time I can recommend or talk about this movie, I do.
YES. Yes to EVERYTHING in this video. Amadeus was my first exposure to classical music when I was a little kid. Started on violin, went to school for voice. This movie is crucial to my identity and love of music. And it's as delightfully silly as it is dark. I personally love Tom Hulce's Mozart. A perfect film. It's so so so special to me
Born in 1979 and saw it for the first time in ‘88. I consider it a transitional moment in my childhood and it still holds up as one of my favorites.
Not Gen-X but I love this movie. Also I was friends with the man who played the Archbishop (may he rest in peace). I watched it with my husband, who looked at my face during the scene where the dying Mozart was dictating notes, keys, etc. to Salieri, my favorite scene, and he said "You know what they are talking about!" Yup.
The line "Too many notes" is still current in family talk. Also the Emperor's particular "Uh huh."
That Jeffrey Jones “m hm” is just so iconic I can’t even 😂
Yep, Gen X, my parents had this movie on tape, and my sisters and I watched it over and over. Everything I learned about being an artist I learned from this movie, and it eventually sent me to Mozart operas at the Met, and to hear Requiem at Lincoln Center as well. So grateful for its beauty.
1973
so I'm possibly your very same age
I never ever identified myself as "generation X", even if back in those Amadeus days, I also was a Billy Idol fan, and he used to lead a former late '70s/early '80s punk rock outfit named Generation X
I made almost the same steps:
- Watchin' the movie at my own school theater
- Havin' it borrowed by a friend of mine and copying it via vhs home video/recording player
- Getting the Director's cut in dvd and then buying the complete soundtrack right away
- Getting a selection of same soundtrack in a limited edition MontBlanc stylo pen package
- Travelling Salzburg with my brother, a baritone getting there for a lied singing masterclass
- Getting there again with my back then fiancée (nowadays, unfortunately, already ex wife)
- Watchin' the movie with my only son, studying classical composers in the very same school I attended, back when the movie was out everywhere in theaters
hard to choose a moment in the movie
probably my favorite piece is the opening symphony #25 G minor
Thank you for your remarkable tribute
Indeed we are at most months apart. The paralells are amazing! I"ve never been to Salzburg, but will get there at some point. Thanks for sharing!
@@TheAmateurPiano my pleasure
PS
Last connection to the movie… my brother studied there being a classically trained baritone… but I’m a (parttime) bass player just like the late Falco (the Forman’s movie inspired “rock me Amadeus”)
I was 8 when this came out. I saw it in the theater and I was OBSESSED. I was too young to be in the school music program, but I started playing violin as soon as I was able, and continued for the next 4 years, before my family moved to another state where the school had no orchestra. This movie is a great double feature with Immortal Beloved, which is about Beethoven.
It feels this movie has become more appreciated lately after a period where it was not getting the proper love. Perhaps the generation shift?
Coming up on the 40 year anniversary, perhaps generational.
Great video. I am not particularly musical, but you do make some excellent points about how many of my opinions on how music works were informed by this movie. As, perhaps, one example: I have long imagined that if I can consume or own certain things that it would make up for the appalling gaps in my rural Utah education. This mostly took the form of books that were considered classics, but music was in there as well. While we were in the Netherlands, Phillips was in the process of releasing the complete works of Mozart (a collection of 170 CDs which you can now buy for the low, low price of only $250. I may have to pick it up) and I dreamed of some day owning the collection as a mark of status.
I may have to take you up on the suggestion to rewatch the movie...
Two other thoughts:
1- My favorite apocryphal Mozart story: A young man came to Mozart and asked him how to write a symphony. Mozart replied, “You are too young to write a symphony. You should start with quartets.” The man replied, “But Herr Mozart, you were writing symphonies when you were ten, and I am twenty-one.” Mozart said, “Ah yes, but I didn't have to ask anyone how.”
2- Speaking of movies have you managed to watch Toy Story yet?
Must've been 1997-98 ish that I received a lovely box set of the Complete Mozart from a dear friend for my birthday, which I proudly displayed for years... back in the days of CD racks and shelves for physical media were things one simply had to have. Setting status aside, I fondly remember the days when you could quietly learn a lot about whomever you were visiting by simply perusing their book/CD/DVD shelves. For us, only the physical books remain... everything else is vaulted on hard drives or lives in the cloud.
I did finally watch Toy Story and found the little green toy soldiers adorable.
Born '82. When i was young I would just stare at the box art in the rental store. In my teens I finally watched it and it's been one of my favorites from then on.
The Making of Amadeus is available on YT for free and it's wonderful to hear the major players behind this masterpiece tell their stories. I think this film is my favorite. It's definitely one I have obsessed over and never fail to appreciate. Great video 👍
The Making of is indeed a worthwhile watch. Thanks so much!
I was born in '74.... Adore this movie....not a classical kid .....but the role of Salieri is haunting. An empathetic villain. He is the reason, for me.
Empathetic, complex, relatable. The Salieri Combo. Thanks for watching!
There are three quotes that have stayed with me since I saw the movie in the theatre when it came out. (P.S., the theatre was so crowded, I had to sit separately from my parents.) They convince me over and over that F. Murray Abraham's performance was one of the best ever. They are:
"That was Mozart" With extreme weariness. "Wolfgang. Amadeus. Mozart."
"Everybody liked me." Then, looking a little embarrassed: "I liked myself."
Finally, holding up his hands while intercut with the scene of reading Mozart's original compositions:
"I was staring through the cage of those meticulous ink strokes at an absolute...beauty."
His was an ASTOUDING performance. One line I deeply love but couldn't fit into my video was "And do you know what happened? A MIRACLE!" as his father chokes at lunch, cut to father in coffin with a boys choir singing "amen, amen, amen, A-MEN!" We watched that scene over and over, howling with laughter.
Gen X, saw this just before getting my first payment of study allowance and I immediately rushed out and bought the box set of The Complete Mozart Masterworks on audio cassette. I loved them. The scene where Mozart improvises improvements to Salieri's march was iconic for me, but there are so many great bits. Salieri asking the priest if he recognises any of his pieces for him to only recognise Mozart's, just gold.
And as much as I would have loved the nudity as a teen, I did find the extended cut seemed less impactful with the pacing and such.
Strangely, though this was a classical gateway for me and many, at the time I was treated like a fake fan but everyone I knew who already liked Mozart. Such weird gatekeeping, I'm glad that wasn't everyone's experience.
THAT scene, the humiliating-improvement-upon-Salieri scene. There's so much there. Why exactly was what he did better, more interesting, more memorable? Rhetorical question, but it really made us all think about music in a way that perhaps we hadn't before.
Yeah I think it's clear--no one likes the directors cut, least of all me--that Constanze scene and everything else they added back in was just tragic.
I loveeeeeeeee this movie!
Eta: they showed this movie to all 6th grade classes in my middle school
Amadeus is on my annual watch list. I, too, prefer the original theatrical version, although the scene with Constanze offering herself to Salieri does explain the attitude with which she greets him during the Requiem scene. Brilliant from start to finish, not a line out of place. Perfectly cast. Amazing.
I had no idea there were people out there like me who counted this movie as their favorite movie of all time. Every time I’m asked what my favorite movie is, I answer Amadeus. 80% of the time, the person asking had no idea what I’m talking about. I, literally, thought I was the only one!!
Clearly not... based on the engagement here, we have a LOT of friends :D
I remember Vladimir Horowitz doing an impression of the Mozart character from this movie in the documentary The Last Romantic lmao
I found a picture you drew in 6th grade a couple days ago. It's genei, btw..... I want to send you a pic of it! Love you!
Also, this movie is one of my all time favs. I can recite it by memory.
Oh my goodness, which picture?? Such a great movie... maybe we watched it together? Given we were joined at the hip for like 10 years it wouldn't surprise me!! Love you too!!!
Great presentation to one of the best movies ever made. I saw it at the cinema when I was 8 years old. This film made me love classical music.
Thanks for sharing. I think I first saw it in late '85, maybe early '86, on VHS. I'd seen Gene Siksel and Roger Ebert rave about it roughly a year earlier and I was glad to see it. I remember watching it with some theater students and a faculty member at my college. The instructor easily identified all the operas staged in the film because he said he had worked on them. Favorite scenes: 1) the scene where Salieri's valets are outside his door with food (sugar cakes and cream, maybe?), which makes me hungry thinking about it; and 2) Mozart's musical impressions. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music/Sacred & Secular (and GenXer)
Years later, after becoming sufficiently "worldly", I assumed the edibles in the opening scene were profiteroles served with some sort of delicious creme fraiche topping... but you are so so right. Just thinking about it makes me crave whatever it was. The globule of it on Sancho Panza's nose was also, I hoped, a happy accident that Forman just decided to keep!
Great video D - brings back so much memories!
(The part about score analysis was so on point - but this led to a slightly different world of soundtracker / sequencer 😂)
Nice, hadn't thought about that direction of travel, but yes totally. Thanks for the comment!
I saw it several times- including one in Michigan with Tom's personal appearance. Born in '62.
gen x'er here. i saw this movie when i was 18. i have seen hundreds of movies since and Amadeus is still my all time favorite movie.
Hard to believe in just a few months, Amadeus will be 40 years old. Couldn't agree more.
I don’t think I saw this in the theater, and some years later was a bit surprised to find that it had become my favorite movie. In the lonely days before streaming, whenever I came across it on TV I would think “I’ll watch a couple minutes of it” and then had watched to the end. I loves it.
Forgot to say I had no idea it was a gen x favorite, and also that I was born in 66, so gen x.
There you go!
'79 here. it's ALSO worth seeing to get all the jokes in Last Action Hero
Haha yes ALSO
Amadeus is a lifelong favorite- I was too young for it, but inappropriate adults who like “plucky young girls” allowed me access
Gen x er and have the bluray directors cut. Love the movie. Love the music. And just remembered I’ve got the soundtrack cd
I am not gen x, thus this movie didn't make my childhood, but I love this movie. Firstly, the acting. While Abraham did a marvelous job acting, I feel Hulce did better. It is now known that this movie is mostly fictitious, however, it is also widely known that Mozart was immature, childish, and a pure genius. The role of Salieri seemed to be that of a normal, slightly gifted man with jealousy and pride issues. Mozart, on the other hand, had to be portrayed as a musical genius, but also as a man-child. I find these differences best displayed in four scenes of the movie: the confutatus scene, the queen of the night, the first appearance of Salieri as the anonymous man, and the entrance of Salieris writing of Non Piu Andrai. Firstly, Non Piu Andrai from the Marriage of Figaro. This scene shows how Salieri works hard to make music, and is gifted enough to write decently, but when Mozart comes in, he immaturely insults Salieri by improving the piece without even seeing it. Then it shows salieris damaged pride, and jealousy. Next is Queen of the Night and Salieris appearance anonymously. Mozart became so enthralled with the music, that he completely shut out the outside world. Lastly the confutatus scene. This shows how Mozarts genius mind was working, how it was actually working. But it also showed how Salieri struggled to keep up with it, he understood it just fine but he couldn't keep up. Circling back around, where Salieri is a mostly normal man, all Abraham had to do was display emotions. Hulce had to be Mozart, be a genius, convince us he was a genius, be immature and inappropriate at times, things that aren't always as simple as they look. Next a brief mention, while today he doesn't really work, and we all know why, Jeffrey Jones had a great time in the 80s, Ferris Bueller, Beetlejuice, and Amadeus. He went from a strict, but slightly buffoon principal to laid back husband/father, to the well kept, well mannered king. I also loved Simon Callows appearance, it was interesting to see him so young, having only seen him in phantom of the opera.
Next, is the directors cut. I know you have seen everything about the movie, but the thing to remember is that movies always shoot more than they put on screen. Gone are the days of deleted scenes and bloopers. The directors cut put everything back in to the movie that was missing in the theatrical cut, allowing much more context to certain scenes. We all know the r rated nude scene, but that scene is what truly made Salieri despicable. On one hand he was keeping to his religious values, and abstaining from any relations, but he also made sure to humiliate constanza, in a way that he wasn't implicated, in hopes of hurting Mozart. But he did so in complete jealousy of Mozart's talent and his willingness to throw away anything that didn't align with his music. Salieri attempted to abscond with Mozart music, and ruin him, but Mozart was completely oblivoius. But this scene shows why constanzas hated Salieri later. There are few other scenes, but this one always sticks out the most.
Something I think alot of people miss is the performing monkey syndrome. Salieri specifically mentions being a boy, at school, while Mozart was touring, and performing for kings, and writing symphonies and operas. This is the same issues that plagued Michael Jackson. Dad takes the gifted son out to show off his genius, or abilities, only to screw up his son in the process. Leading to adult life being that much harder, writing your cousin about cleaning poop, from someone. Or dangling blanket from a balcony.
This story is known to have been overly exaggerated, and made up. But it is a wonderful way to spend three hours, and learn something about classical music, and the life of a musician in times long past.
Wow thanks for this great comment! Researching this video, I found way more Tom Hulce haters out there than I expected. I think he delivered an iconic character performance and drove very close to the ledge. There"s just massive contrast and range in the role, it was THE performance of his career!
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your views, really appreciate it!
@TheAmateurPiano
I think Tom was relegated to b or c list jobs mostly. I have only seen him elsewhere in Animal House and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, personally. He has had work, just not anything really popular and well known. I would have loved to see him pull a Matthew Broderick, while Amadeus was serious, Mozart wasn't. But see him come off the high of that role to do a much more important and moving role. Just like Broderick did coming off of Ferris Bueller, and doing Glory.
@Thevoiceofsomething yes he was a one hit wonder
Love the section on the language of musical ecstasy. Brilliant!
Man I love this movie since I was a child. I'm a millenial and watched it first in 2002
As a young adult(born 2002) I watch the director cut growing up, I quite enjoy the movie, still not a fan of classical music but I appreciate bio pics, especially with good scores
The cinemetography, sets, costumes, and the character performances are all outstanding, whether you're a classical fan or not!
I was 11 when this came out so I was into GIJoe and Transformers but when this hit me it froze me in my tracks. It definitely was the gateway to classical music for me. A MASTERPIECE‼️ I was a little disappointed to find out it wasn’t his life story but a play but, I still love the movie nonetheless. “These…are originals?” I love that line from Salieri😂
It's refreshing to hear an intelligent perspective from another member of Generation X. Thank you. Indeed, I recall that film taking on a life of its own, its influence even permeating pop music. I graduated from high school in 1985.
From the class of '91, you're most welcome, glad you enjoyed it!
@@TheAmateurPiano Ohh dear. That means I'm an Elder Gen X'er. Like an Elder Goth 😂 I bought my first house in 1991; Denver, CO $67,000. I dare say it's worth half a million now.
@@TheAmateurPiano So I subscribed to your channel. I take it your classically trained in piano. and you freelance and you teach Is that correct?
Yes I'm a classically trained pianist and doublebassist, but I no longer freelance and never taught. Just an amateur enthusiast with a busy day job these days.
@@TheAmateurPiano Nice to meet you.
Though 'get x', I distinctly WASN'T a high school classical musical nerd. I was one of those 'Bugs Bunny classical' kids. Knew some of the music and composers but mostly by cartoons, osmosis and roaming the radio dial.
I was then (and still am) a massive fan of this movie. I had one friend that was as much of a movie nerd as I was way back in the 80s. Everyone in our group was down to watch all the big teen fare that was available at the time and so was I but we always had a few that we watched just for us. Amadeus was one of those movies. I was like the priest hearing Salieri's confession and knew nothing about Mozart and, just the same, when Eine Klein Nachtmusik is played I was surprised. Turns out I DID know Mozart!.
Fantastic movie that I quote at least once a week. Well...there it is.
Amazing! I was also a Bugs Bunny kid, lots of demographic crossover there actually, thanks for bringing that up.
@@TheAmateurPiano So many folks learned classical music from Looney Tunes. I understood interpolation because of Carl Stalling!
Harrumpf! Even though I was born too early to be GenX, I loved this movie! I know I'n not the only one. KVOD in Denver played a lot of Salieri in the late '80s.
If you liked the costumes, then watch the Sci Fi Channel's Dune. Theodor Pistek made the costumes for that as well.
Loved this movie. I first saw it on VHS. Thanks 🙏 for sharing. ❤❤❤
You're welcome, thanks for watching !
I watched this movie again recently. Fabulous!! I was raised on classical music and to see how real the lives were of these people (even tho it is heavily fictionalized.
Amadamus and Phantom of the paradise were movies that got me into playing piano! Awesome video!
Thanks, so glad you liked it!
I listened to a lot of James Cook University’s CD music collection. I loved music with emotional resonance.
I was born just a few years later, so I missed out on the initial buzz. But I did pick up the DVD and chuckle and bought it. Why? Because, I saw the title, remember hearing it's supposed to be a good movie, then, in my head, a female voice. "Ooh! Help me dr Zaius!"...
Yes. Because of "Stop The Planet Of The Apes, I Want To Get Off!". I remember the song "Dr Zaius", parodying Falco's "Rock Me Amadeus", I bought the DVD titled only Amadeus. And yes, It is a great film.
Thank you Troy McClure for inadvertently steering me towards a great cinematic experience, even though it was at home on a TV.
I had no idea there was a parody... it's fantastic!
I fucking love this movie. No idea how many times I've seen it; almost as many times as I've seen The Princess Bride.
I just watched this again a week ago. Gen X. I love this movie.
Please, Lord, release a remastered Blu-Ray of the theatrical version, so I may pitch that bloated Director’s Cut.
And no, AMADEUS didn’t make a classical music aficionado out of me. A girlfriend who was an opera fan once took me to a local production of “Tosca,” which is as close as I got to entering that world. Still mostly into post-bebop jazz, blues, and classic rock. But I tend to love the music in the films I love, and AMADEUS is no exception.
Not a Gen Xer but adore this film!
I LOVE this movie! I remember how my family was blown away when it won best picture because usually their favorites never did!
Totally... we were convinced either The Killing Fields or A Passage to India would win, couldn't have been more shocked when it just kept winning and winning that night!
@@TheAmateurPiano Same here! And, I think BOTH actors ahould have won the Best Actor award!🥰
If you can't get enough of the current peek rap battles era, you gotta see Amadeus.
I love 💕 this movie 🍿🎥😊
By that definition I'm a Gen Xer too. I saw this film soon after its release in 1984, and found it moving. The year after I visited Forman's, and Mozart's, Prague, which was fairly amazing too. Not as nice as Vienna 1976, but similar.
Prague has been on my list for many years, hoping to get there and Vienna very soon.
@@TheAmateurPiano
Prague has probably changed more since my visit despite being more recent. Because, you know, the fall of communism. In Vienna it was great to visit both the Staatsoper and the Volksoper.
The only time Mozart used the word Amadeus for his middle name was in jest in letters, signing at least one Wolfgangus Amadeus Mozarty. He usually spelled it Amade'. The one thing that I find very interesting about Mozart's struggle finding gainful employment was commented on by him in his letters - Mozart said (whether truly in humility or not we don't know) that he felt his talent was a gift from God, and his rejection and mistreatment by the aristocracy was their rejection of God's gift of that music. If one reads enough TRUE stories about Mozart, the man was looking for stable employment where he felt the music would be appreciated the way Haydn's was by the Esterhazy family. For some reason that position never materialized for Mozart, and the freelance artist didn't exist yet. There seems to be a myth that after Mozart left Salzburg he became a freelance composer.
recently watched the directors cut on netflix. i had seen chunnks of this movie throughout my youth but had my interest renewed in it when the yt algo presented me with an in-depth analysis of the film. In a multipart vid series (i forget the name of the yt channel), it invigorated a sense of interest in the film. I enjoyed it quite a bit (both the film and the yt series done on it). It's a tragic film, and a very good film. A must see of classical music and cinema lovers alike.
I am definitely generation X, but I am not a huge classical music nerd. But I realize that our generation was the last generation that really valued music universally. When I was a baby, the biggest fan in the world was the Beatles and when I was 20 years old, the biggest recording artist was Michael Jackson. When I saw the movie, I had never taken a class in anything musical. I didn’t know how it works and the movie kind of repeats the idea that it’s something that you are born with. And we’ve all seen what happens when somebody thinks that they are a genius and they’re not. Kanye West comes to mind. Mozart was a genius and I’m sorry to say he’s the only classical musician, that I kinda know his life story. As a creative person, I’m supposed to be a genius visual artist, but what I found out is that you still need to training the people that you see gaining success? A very young age are either constantly in training or they have been training five or 10 years before you became aware of them. The problem is now that the music industry is hostile to even the most talented, good-looking and socially/emotionally artists. This all comes back to John Lennon. The last megastar to take an anti-ruling class political stance. Nobody does that anymore not even the rappers. Especially the rappers who all seem to be capitalist. So this movie is cautionary.
great movie, though not my intro to classical music, that goes to our local ice skating rink which played a lot of classical, i just didn't know what it was at the time.
would like to see you review Immortal Beloved.
First I will have to watch Immortal Beloved... I remembered hearing it was a disaster and was, I guess, 'loyal' to Amadeus (lol) so didn't watch it. Will have a watch and ponder doing a review.
Love this line: "The hobo bindle of my life..." 🛒
🙏 was pretty proud of that line if I do say so myself 😁
I liked the cackle.
It took time but it grew on me. Now I feel like it's essential to the character, like it couldn't be any other way.
I want the original cut too. I was disappointed when the streaming version I watched with my son had all these extra unnecessary scenes.
I remember going to see this film with my mom a dad and afterwards my father turned to me and asked: “Are to telling me that you actually enjoyed that movie?”
I told him that of course I did. And why didn’t he?
I’ve watched this film dozens of times, and after every viewing - sometimes when I haven’t even seen it in a while, but I remember it - I laugh to myself and think about that question.
Oh that's a good one. I was absolutely the kid who chose Amadeus over Ghostbusters. Not that there's anything wrong with Ghostbusters, just saying it was a year of stark choices at the mall :D
@@TheAmateurPiano my Dad, a really amazing and supportive guy, used to get so annoyed with me after going to a movie when I’d be humming or singing the soundtrack as we drove home. “Why do you know the music already? Stop that!” lol