Analyzing Evil: Antonio Salieri From Amadeus
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- Опубликовано: 10 сен 2024
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Welcome everyone and welcome to the sixty-third episode of Analyzing Evil! Our feature villain for this video is Antonio Salieri from Amadeus. I hope you enjoy, and thanks for watching. If you have any feedback or questions feel free to let me know below!
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The songs in this video were provided by Musopen, Piano Sonata No. 12 and the Overture from Don Giovani by Mozart
#Amadeus #Salieri #Mozart
I think Salieri's most tragic moment was hearing Mozart's sincere thanks for his help before dying, thus showing him, far too late, that Mozart considered him a dear friend.
Yeah, that was a really heartbreaking scene.
I always wondered if it even meant anything to him or if his hatred was already solidified no matter what Mozart did or said.
I think his agony comes from his relation with himself, rather than the relation with Mozart. As is often said, to detach yourself from your “self” is the key to achieve inner peace. He couldn’t do that till the end. In that sense, I felt that the last scene was symbolic. He said “I am a champion of mediocrities” and he kept on saying “I absolve you”, from his wheelchair, towards the patients in the asylum (with The piano concerto No.20 second movement playing in the background). It’s one of the most touching ending I’ve ever seen.
WOW!! Now that is deep
Mozart's last words to Salieri in the film were "Forgive me" God is teaching Salieri a lesson, it's not about perfection, it's about forgiveness and humility
Amadeus is a movie that's something truly special. It's one of the most historically inaccurate films I've ever seen as Mozart & Salieri were actually friendly rivals at worst, but everything about the movie from the production values to performances to the story of a man losing himself to jealousy is just so good that I don't even care.
Salieri served as a music teacher for Mozart’s sons along with Franz Liszt. Sounds like a friend to the Mozart’s.
It was never meant to be a historical movie. It’s from a fictitious play. Unfortunately too many people think it’s supposed to be a biographical film.
It isn't as innacurate as a lot of people make it up to be. The Salieri part is often times false, but Mozart's life etc. are mostly portrayed realistically.
It’s almost like taking once upon a time in Hollywood serious
Agreed
I met F. Murray Abraham at a restaurant where I was waiting tables in New Orleans in the 90's. He was the nicest man. We were a small restaurant and he went around to each member of the waitstaff after the meal and gave us each $100 bill. Took a moment and chatted with everyone. Very different from your average Hollywood star.
Man, I wonder how often he went out.
Lucky you ! “The name of the rose” in which he played Bernardo Gui, by the way, is one of my favorite movies along with “Amadeus”. 😊(Bernard Gui is a notorious papal inquisitor in medieval Europe.)
That's cool. Shows he is an actor and his personality fits his career. He's an extrovert... at least by that example. And uses that personality trait to be a real neat guy.
I'm an introvert... wouldn't have thought about bothering people in the back.... if I left a big tip for the entire kitchen I would have just left the money on the table or gave it to the manager to give to the rest of the staff.
He recognizes his stardom or fame or importance as an entertainer and doesn't mind using it for fun and help of others. That's cool.
Acting sounds like a perfect fit for the guy.
@@jmitterii2 He could be an introvert or an extrovert. The wine was flowing that night. He wasn't sloppy but I know his table popped several bottles of very good wine. It's New Orleans, after all.
Classy 👍🏾
There was a ridiculous amount of liberty taken to write the story, but it's one of my favorite movies of all-time. Still cracks me up F. Murray Abraham went from hanging from a helicopter to playing Antonio Salieri.
😆
That's because the film is based upon a musical, which itself was based upon the play Mozart and Salieri by Alexander Pushkin (written in 1830 and published in 1832).
oh wow that's the same guy from Scarface?
@@SammyRenard yeah. Scarface came out the year before (1983). Amadeus won Best Picture in 1984.
@@SammyRenard Yeah, it is. I would say he was one of the most obscure winning actors (by name recognition) at the time of his Oscar win.
He’s also sadly one of the winners who has seen the least number of leading roles come from his win (that I’m aware of).
This despite that he truly did deserve the award (unlike some other Oscar winners - IMHO). ✌️🤔
I guess you could chalk that up to that he’s more of a real “actor” than a “movie star”.
Poor guy has basically had his whole life retroactively defined by a fictional story from centuries after his death based on slanderous rumors from his own lifetime.
Yup, he was even a fan and friend of the real Mozart.
My theory is this movie is a hallucination as he suffered dimentia nearing his death and believed the rumors that he killed his friend and even forgeting details of his life.
Yes, that is absolutely correct. And what an entertaining story it is at that...
What the writer did to Salieri's reputation was a truly evil thing. Didn't he know that? Why didn't he make someone up? Generic "classical music" is something anybody with musical talent can come up with, and the creation of a fictitious composer as Mozart's insane - with - envy antagonist would have made for a great story. As it is, I hate what Peter Schaeffer did to Salieri's reputation. It was truly vicious.
@@bobtaylor170 Alexander Puskin (the guy that originally created the play that inspired the play this movie is based on) just made it during the height of the rumors that Sal killed Mozart, so its likely he believed them. (Mozart wrote German plays, Sal wrote Italian plays and the rumors exploded during German Nationalism where people wanted German Operas but the mostly Italian "Hollywood" at the time wanted Opera to be Italian.)
@@forickgrimaldus8301 , interesting. I hadn't known that.
This film is honestly top tier filmmaking. Every single scene was carved with such intention to detail and that’s just me talking about the writing, let a alone all the other aspects. These characters didn’t feel like characters in a movie. And yes I know they are portraying real people, but the genuine detail that was put character motivation in this film…scary good.
It’s not just that people’s motivations are made up. It’s factually wrong on several levels. Mozart was never buried in a poorper’s grave. There’s no evidence of any hostility between Mozart and Salieri. Mozart was hugely successful in his own time, lauded and wealthy by his death. But, yeah. It’s a great movie. No doubt about that.
Cool seeing you here. I loved your reaction to the film
Should be considered a top five film. Can't believe I haven't heard of it until today.
I've always related to Salieri since I, too, am driven by envy and easily distracted by the dessert buffet.
I know what you mean.
Salieri in the movie: A talentless, conniving, manipulative, jealous asshole who drove Mozart to his grave.
Salieri in real life: Actually a pretty okay dude and a good composer who helped Mozart on several occasions, even teaching Mozart's young son after his father died.
Without Salieri we wouldn’t have had Beethoven.
@Greg Elchert Not really, being able to "hear" sheet music in your head would not be unusual or amazing for an intermediate level student let alone a professional composer. It's something that seems crazy to laymen that's all
Salieri wasn't talentless in the movie, you don't become court composer without talent. The entire point is that anyone would seem mediocre next to Mozart but Salieri insisted on comparing himself to the best instead of being humble about what he has.
LMAO what? He wasn’t “talentless” at all, piss off with that as you fail to pay attention to the movie at all when you say crap like that. He was full of talent, he was just outdone by Mozart!
Yeah it is a myth dating back to the XIX century promoted by austrogermanic nationalists to highlight the german genius compared to the decadent latin world (he was italian).
Correction: The Mozart stuff is mostly true. The Salieri stuff is made up a lot of times. But that's where the movie is really clever: Salieri tells the story HE believes as true.
Perception is Reality
Bingo! Is Salieri in the film truly Evil, or is he accepting Guilt for things which he might not have actually done?
So, he's an Unreliable Narrator, too?
I think Salier in his old age (at least in the movie) drank the cool aid that people blamed him for the death of Mozart as he was in a degraded mental state by then even in real life.
@@darlalathan6143 yes he is in basically an Asylum
Jealousy is really just love and hate at the same time.
In hindsight, Mozart was probably Salieri's gift from God. Sometimes you aren't the star but the one responsible for making them shine, it hurts not being that special person but someone has to do the wet work for paving history and only a few recognize this and fewer accept this. Great character, definitely going to watch this later.
That is the most intresting thing about his character. He claims he hates Mozart but really he does not, he only hates God. Mozart is just a way to get back at God in his mind.
Very well said.
Without this movie, we probably wouldn’t have SpongeBob and Squidward.
how? Were the spongebob creators inspired by it at all? I could definitely see Spongebob's laugh coming from Mozart's lol
@@klatie256 SpongeBob outshines Squidward in art and music in some episodes like when Squidward had an art class or when SpongeBob snuck into Squidward’s dream and became his clarinet. Art and music are Squidward’s passions. Also SpongeBob and Squidward’s Character designs resemble Mozart and Salieri. Can’t confirm the creators of SpongeBob drew inspiration from this movie but it does seem like that’s the case.
that makes so so so much sense
Wait really?
i freaking love Amadeus and Salieri
His performance was great, glad he won an Oscar. Mozart's laugh should be in the hall of fame.
I love that the film characterizes a misunderstanding of Gods gift. Salieri does have access to this incredible music, but selfishly demands it be through him. It debunks his motives and his faith instantly, which made his character compelling for me. Love the videos, always done a great job!
@Greg Elchert a true narcissist
Yeah I used to think, when I first saw this as a teen, that Salieri was just a classic case of religious = bad. But now I see it is not his religiosity that causes his downfall. Rather, it his vices that overtake and corrupt him. It's a study of the fall of a man to sin, namely of envy and pride and narcissism.
I see Amadeus as Antonio Salieri misremembering the past as he's at the end of his life as it's clouded with regrets and dementia.
Thats facts
I've always said you could totally interpret thr movie as a severe case of unreliable narrator
That makes for a solid justification for it being a dramatic fantasy
Same Im glad other people think this
His fatal flaw is his own self-hatred, his inability to recognize his own greatness as a composer and pedagogue
Exactly. He should have focused more on himself and making himself as great as he could be.
Really, his fatal flaw is that he is just as sinful and warped as Mozart. Salieri's pride blinds him from the fact that he has done and thought things that are much more existentially evil than Mozart farting at a party or drinking in public. He believes himself the rightful vessel of God's providence, when in reality, he is no more fit for it than anyone else.
Salieri was right though, even though he was the most famous composer in Europe and said as much in the film, his music was supplanted by Mozart, which also happens in the film. It would naturally irk anyone to have a life's work that is completely forgotten.
But isn't it true that even non musician only knows of Mozart ? Does any one in the world aside musician knows who saliari is ? Stop gaslighting normies.
@@somerandomfatguy.3384 Just because it's not famous doesn't mean it's not good. Stop gaslighting your normie self.
This tale was SO magnificent...so layered, so tragic...I've watched the movie countless times, and each time it's like I've only seen it for the first time. F. Murray Abraham did an OUTSTANDING job as the bitter antagonist...carrying the story through all its twists and turns...and Tom Hulce's performance...and that CACKLE...all these things are BURNED into my soul.
This remains one of my all-time favorite movies.
What's interesting is that history portrays Salieri as Mozart's friend, but Amadeus spun an interesting historical drama out of these men's relationship
The theories of this made-up drama story were around and even well-known in Salieri's lifetime.
I read a biography of Salieri titled "The Maligned Master" which makes the case he saw Mozart more as a colleague or friend than a rival. Salieri's own position in court was secure enough that he had no reason to feel threatened by Mozart.
@@82dorrin Yeah, the reputation of Salieri was never surpassed in Mozart's lifetime. And he was esteemed for even longer than that in the history of music.
@@82dorrin Well, Peter Shaffer was the first to say that Amadeus wasn't straight-up history--he was just using the myth of the Salieri/Mozart rivalry to hang his own ideas and themes on. In any case, the way the movie and (even more so) the play portrays it, it wasn't fame or wealth that Salieri coveted most--it was talent. Shaffer's Salieri isn't worried so much about his position at court or his career as he is about truly having the kind of gifts Mozart does...and it only makes him angrier at the Almighty that Mozart, a foolish, immature buffoon, has received these gifts when he, Salieri, has strived so hard to be worthy. In fact, though I don't think it was in the movie, he has a line in the play to the effect of, "I was far more renowned than Mozart...but it meant nothing to me, because it was for work I knew to be inferior to his, and the praise of the Emperor and the masses was worthless because they were incapable of distinguishing real genius." In some ways, for Shaffer's Salieri, getting all that praise and adulation was almost WORSE.
@@jenniferschillig3768 It's the tragedy of talent. Someone with sufficient talent can always recognize a greater talent, but people without talent can't always recognize the greater talent.
It's why Thomas Edison was almost always idolized compared to Nikola Tesla. Cause while Tesla was a genius inventor, he was a terrible businessman.
F Murray Abraham absolutely killed it in this role, he is such a phenomenal actor
Interestingly, the real Salieri likely had none of the hatred shown in the movie. He and Mozart were professional rivals, sure, but contemporary accounts indicate that they both had a good deal of respect for each other. They even collaborated on at least one project.
Great movie, though.
That's what I like about Vile Eye...he always surprises you with his picks...he might not always profile the characters you want...but always brings somebody that you go:"...oh yeah...this guy WAS evil..."
I love it when he covers villains that I don't know about.
"From now on we are enemies, you and I." As he points at the crucifix. Lmao, maybe one of the best lines I've ever heard. This movie is awesome, F. Murray Abraham kills it. I love how he calls Mozart's laugh an, "obscene giggle."
Fun fact for any fans of metal music: There's a quote from this movie at the start of a Children of Bodom song. The first song of their second album, "Warheart", starts with Salieri saying "From now on we are enemies, you and I".
"Can you recall no melody of mine?" - Salieri
I remember Jealous is worried someone will take something from you. Envious is wanting to take what someone else has. Thanks Homer Simpson.
This movie is perfect. Salieri was the only person who truly understood Mozart's art and was thinking he is the greatest composer of this time, and yet he is the exact person, who doomed him.
Although the movie is fantastic the thing that makes me sad is that because of this movie many people believe that Antonio Salieri was never anything more but a jealous and second rate composer without ever hearing his music.
The movie never portrays him as a second rate musician. That's what HE thinks. You actually see that he was a respected composer in his time.
@@marvingro7959 It does make me sad when he says the line 'He loved my music. The man had no ear whatsoever', basically implying the Emperor loved his music, but he had no comprehension of what good music was, so what does that say about Salieri's?
@@user-nv2wt4hi8tsalieri wasnt jealous of mozart. Letters between mozarts dad and mozart indicate that mozart was extremely jealous of salieri for his job. And salieri had nothing to be jealous about since be was an extremely talented composer who teached some of the best composers such as schubert, Liszt , Beethoven.
In the film, Salieri is portrayed as jealous, petty and vindictive but, ultimately, his actions are noble despite his motivations. He is depicted as Mozart's biggest critic but he is also his biggest fan. That is why Murray got the Oscar for this film. If you do a deep character analysis, you will understand that Salieri is actually not the villain but an antihero.
I can't believe it. I got up for work, and whilst taking the early morning 'bleed of the lizard', I just so happened to reflect on Salieri and what he would think if he was to hypothetically watch Amadeus.. and then I thought "say what you want about the dramatisation, but damn! that was a fine film". And my favourite tentacle-eyed LEGEND just so happens to upload a video!? Oh what joy has fallen upon us this fine day.
He also switches emotions swiftly when he looks upon his plot- the deep promise to “ruin His incarnation” followed by a light hearted grin. The scenario in his head of playing Mozart’s Requiem Mass at his funeral under his name- to laugh at God- followed by the matter of fact “The only thing that worried me, was the actual killing…”
These highlight his madness, but also an almost contentment in his actions.
Thank you so much Vile! Amadeus is one of my all time favorite movies ever.
I think he realized Mozart was truly a genius and probably loved him sincerely and missed him dearly. Thus being cursed to live the rest of his days atoning for his sins
salieri wasnt jealous of mozart. Letters between mozarts dad and mozart indicate that mozart was extremely jealous of salieri for his job. And salieri had nothing to be jealous about since be was an extremely talented composer who teached some of the best composers such as schubert, Liszt , Beethoven.
Also irl mozart and salieri were really most of the time contemporarys. And at even one time salieri shout bravo at the end of a mozart perfomance so loud that mozart could distintively hear it. Salieri never killed mozart and because the rumors he had nervous breakdowns later on his life.
What a performance by F. Murray Abraham, I can’t get enough of it. Favorite movie of all time.
same, it is a masterpiece
One of the best villains ever! the scene when he explains how he will consumate his vengance is great, the joy in his face as he declares himself Motzart´s loving friend is one of the most remarkable moments in the entire movie.
PS: the title is missing the last o in Antonio, sorry.
Even though the potrayal is not historically accurate, I still absolutely love this film and Abraham's performance. "Mediocrities everywhere, I absolve you! I absolve you all! I absolve you!".
well, there it is.
I watched the history buffs episode about Amadeus. And was surprised that Mozart, was accurate. I thought it was just the acting but no. Mozart himself did this kind of shit!
Yeah if you look at his letters he talks a lot about farts and poops, almost to the point where he probably had a scat fetish
oh my
Imagine if Amadeus was alive and found 4Chan.
@@cortarmstrong8768 to his family too lol (especially spicy with his cousin) lol…..
@@cortarmstrong8768That’s some weird sh*t bro…
One of my favorite films! Despite everything he did in the movie, I still feel bad for Salieri
Well the real Salieri wasn’t that villainous, he and Mozart were friends, he was music teacher to Mozart’s children. Overall, this is still one of my favorite films too, yes I can’t help feeling bad for both Mozart and Salieri in this film.
OMG I love Amadeus! I was wondering if you’d eventually do this one. A fascinating character study of both Mozart and Salieri, indeed.
I love Amadeus too, that movie sparked my interest in history and classical music, yes this movie isn’t historically accurate. Besides, I find this movie to be a fascinating character study on Mozart and Salieri, the actors who portrayed them were top notch and the other actors were great as well, the cinematography and art direction is gorgeous.
In real life he was too busy to engage in the level of sabotage.
Men much greater than him have stooped as low.
i really hated a couple of people i know
actually tried sabotaging their lives...
... then realized that sabotaging someone is actually pretty complicated LOL (so i gave up)
YES!!! I LOVE THIS MOVIE!! I know, not historically accurate, but a damn good movie!
Salieri's "evilness" kind of pales compared to pretty much every other villain on this channel.
Yessir! Arguably, *NOT* evil since he's contrite and concerned with Confession.
@@jamespfp I would not say Salieri is concerned with confession
The man finally snapped all the way and gave into madness and finally felt like gloating about how he destroyed God's creature
@@anaihilator If he is not concerned with Confession, Why Tell The Story?
I repeat, that's his motivation, *and furthermore* I think it is no coincidence that the competing schools of theological thought of the time also struggled with concepts like predestination, or election, and not merely following the formal liturgies of Catholicism.
Salieri is clearly a lapsed Catholic; methinks he doth Protest like a Protestant.
@@jamespfp Priests are forbidden from repeating anything said in confession. He was the one person Salieri could gloat to without fear it would be repeated.
Salieri could out wit most villians, and heroes.
The real Salieri was not a mediocrity. He taught many of the greatest composers of the time, including Beethoven and Liszt.
Salieri in the film said he was the most famous composer in Europe. And his music was largely forgotten until this film.
One of the most fantastic movies of all time: expertly written, acted and directed. Sparked an immediate love of classical music in me when I first saw it at the age of 13, and for this it ranks amongst my most precious movie going experiences.
Edit: Please do Ming the Merciless from Flash Gordon.
What a great selection for a villain!
I second this - Ming the Merciless from the classic movie Flash Gordon!
Just a note - the first time I saw Flash Gordon I was very young, and Mings daughter is very likely the very first 'film crush' I ever had in my life.
I had to be all of 5 or 6 years old. 🤣
She sure was beautiful, though!
According to Milos Forman, the way the character was written, F. Murray Abraham was Salieri in real life. No other actor could have played the part so perfectly
I don’t think you’ve done this guy before but I think analyzing JK Simmons character in Whiplash would be fascinating as he is not outright villainously evil but more of a temperate sadistic character
He pushes people to bring out their best.
He breaks Newman and he turns into one of the Greats👌
@@LordWyatt There's credibility in the idea of having a 'nemesis', someone you go to great lengths become better than, but Fletcher just takes it way to far.
That guy drove a kid to suicide and lied about it. He is most certainly evil.
"If anything happens to that sheet music, Ayy Pobrecii" - Salieri (probably)
From the Emperor's court musician, to the "Patron Saint of All Mediocrities". That's quite the downgrade.
Bro this is my favorite movie ever. You’re an absolute king for making this!
"Danny told me not to trust you. He said you killed Mozart."
-Jack Slater
“Mo..who?”
Salieri's tragedy is that he lacked one key component necessary to have God's favor: love. He had no love in his heart, demonstrated earliest by his reaction to his father's death, and he even mused to the priest that he might have simply lusted after Caterina and not loved her. Mozart, on the other hand, was a man driven by love; for life, for his wife and son, and especially his music. But Salieri was perhaps most frustrated by his inability to love himself; he had the most intense Impostor Syndrome and had unrealistic expectations about himself. He was his own worst enemy.
I remember watching this in both my musical appreciation and religious studies. Lol my paper was called the the classical King Saul and King David
Do you remember what you wrote about?
@@shen4379 definitely the psychological break down of a love and hate, obsessive and envious, and the true nature of being replaced. Along with an emphasis on how people will use religion in a narcissistic way solely to justify their King Saul mindset.
The sad thing is that Salieri genuinely loved Mozart's music more than anybody, and despite Mozart occasionally slighting Salieri's compositions he actually considered Salieri to be a real friend. If Salieri had been able to put aside his envy and return Mozart's friendship, he almost certainly could have lived a happier life instead of spending his old age in an insane asylum.
I'd love to see your take on Long John Silver. A villain so charismatic, to this day there are readers who still insist on thinking he was actually a good guy, despite all evidence to the contrary.
Lisa in that one Simpsons episode was the best Salieri presented on screen.
I'm very excited that you decided to take this character on! I have been fascinated by this example of what might happen when passion and talent don't come together...a very common occurrence, and one that is easily identifiable for many of us. It generates envy and resentment, and seeing others to whom our passion comes easily and better can rob us of the enjoyment of our own mediocre and hard won ability. These clips and your analysis come from the Director's cut, which makes Salieri out to be a more evil man. For example, the proposition and humiliation of Mozart's wife is not in the original theatrical release, and really makes me feel quite different about the movie. I always seek out the theatrical release since that's how I first knew the story.
The Envy of Evil.
Also F Murray Abraham's acting masterpiece.
Thank you! Salieri has always been one of my favourite movie villains. 🤗
Finally!!! I always wanted this video. My favorite video so far.
When I saw that Salieri was being featured on your channel, I was a little worried that you were not going to understand the complexities of the character. I needn't have worried. You did an exceptional job of getting to the soul of the man. Although it's historically inaccurate, this is one of my favourite movies ever. It's a riveting story with incredible acting and production. So glad that F Murray Abraham got the gong. But IMO, so many more deserved it too.
I once met the actor who played him....great guy in person.
I was about to request Salieri--one of my all-time favorites!
So cool that you uploaded this just as I finished watching the film
I’ve already commented, but I want to give praise to the ethics you guide your videos by. You’ve covered a number of people with a number of different approaches, but always manage to convey additional info throughout. In this video, the comment about making your feelings known to a person of interest/romance was great and I think you’ve handled similar perspectives well.
I absolutely love this "analyzing evil" series, so erudite, profound, and thought provoking. Would love to see some (if you haven't already) from early cinema; Count Orlok from Nosferatu, Frank from Once Upon A Time In the West, Hans Beckert from M, etc , etc. Keep up the phenomenal work!
Great analysis as always! Please do these:
Conal Cochran - Halloween 3 Season of the Witch
Eli Sunday - There Will Be Blood
Krug Stillo - The Last House on the Left (1972)
Herbert West - Reanimator
Hyman Roth - The Godfather Part II
Little Bill Daggett- Unforgiven
Amadeus is based off of Alexander Pushkin's 'Mozart and Salieri' where in the play, Salieri murders Mozart. After Mozart's death there spread a rumor about Salieri poisoning Mozart and it simply wasn't true. On Salieri's death bed he told one of his students to 'tell the world' he did not murder Mozart, and sadly enough in 1830 Alexander Pushkin wrote his play.
I just watched this movie. Absolutely love it. Wildly innacurate... and yet the legacy of the conspiracy that sits behind it almost makes it true. Never the less, very entertaining and great story. Now as a bonus I get the vile eye reviewing the character Salieri.
THANK YOU for mentioning straight away that this IS a work of historical FICTION because a lot of fans of this film (including myself until I finally decided to do some delving, fairly recently, after being familiar with the theatrical release of the film for most of my life, and, when it was featured on Netflix? a few years, I got to see the director's cut, which was a real treat btw) DON'T REALISE SALIERI WAS NOTHING LIKE THIS MAN. e more renowned during his own time than Mozart (though it's true, his name was not remembered and post-mortem fame/immortality was not ultimately granted to him, he was the teacher of some very famous composers whose music we still celebrate to this day, chief among them being none other than Beethoven and Schubert, as well as several others whose names have made it into history's musical hall of fame. Yet, oddly enough, if it weren't for this film based on the Broadway play of the same name (originally featuring Sir Ian McKellan and Mark Hamill in the starring roles, fun factoid there 😉🎵), unless you took music history classes in college, the majority of people, myself included, wouldn't ever have known he existed.
I'm very happy that you decided to begin with the disclaimer that this character, as much as I happen to enjoy him, is not an accurate depiction of the real person. I wish the film had done so, because they really do poor Antonio a disservice here. Sure, it's a wonderful film; one of my favorites, actually. But not only did the man have no part in Mozart's demise, he PAID FOR HIS FUNERAL FOR F***SAKE! Otherwise, being broke as hell at the time of his death (and indeed for most of his adult life--THAT part Is accurate, as was the vulgarity depicted so well by Tom Hulce's performance.... You know he wrote a song about licking arseholes, right? It's in German so unless you are familiar with the language or have the dubious benefit of the lyrics being right in front of you, you'd never know it had such a crude theme! 🤣), he WOULD have ended up unceremoniously dumped into a paupers grave and covered with lyme...
He was married with children (eight, to be exact.... So, a far cry from the chaste and bitter man portrayed in the film!), he was well-liked and held great influence and position, much like in the film, yet unlike the film portends, he was not especially envious of the younger man, nor was his music thought any less brilliant. Quite the opposite, really. He wrote 43 operas, as well as a handful of various other compositions which brought him great success in Paris as well as Vienna, where he lived for the majority of his adult life. He even took Mozart's son as his pupil. While it makes for an excellent plot and a memorable character, flawlessly portrayed by F. Murray Abraham, Amadeus' depiction of Antonio Salieri is indeed a far cry from the historical figure, himself. And I commend you for having the decency to point that out, early on in your video, which I have enjoyed very much 😉
As for suggestions on which character I would most like to see featured.... CAPTAIN HOOK!!! (Specifically the Disney version. That is, of course, unless you feel up to making a video which touches upon multiple versions of the character, which would be amazing..... As long as you don't include that pretty boy from that awful TV series, Once Upon a Time..... Yuck....).
Another character I'd LOVE to see an analysis of here on your channel is the Phantom of the Opera. Again, there are numerous depictions of this iconic personage, spanning decades and in many forms, from literature to the Broadway stage to the Silver Screen. I imagine picking one would be easiest. Gerard Butler's performance in the 2004 film version of the musical would likely be your best bet, though to avoid too much purist Phan backlash, I might also include something of Lon Chaney's portrayal of the original Gaston Leroux version of the tragic antagonist. (Again, much like Salieri, not quite a villain, but definitely not a hero, either. I love him to death!😍) A mention of Charles Dance, Robert Englund and, though I care for his performance the least of anyone who's ever donned the infamous half-mask on stage, Michael Crawford was the first, so I guess it would only be fair to mention him, as well, if you intend to include the others. (But honestly, Ramin Karimloo is so much better....!😅💕)
Amadeus the movie was based on a play by Pushkin, titled Mozart and Salieri. Pushkin misrepresented Salieri to make for a simpler villian. But reality was much more complex.
Salieri and Mozart did have a real rivalry but there wasn't envy in it. They where both after the same job. Just before Mozart die he saw a concert by Salieri and he thought it was the most amazing thing he had every heard.
You should do angel eyes from the good the bad and the ugly or frank from once upon a time in the west
I don't know the reason this film is suddenly getting all the attention, both on youtube and on podcasts, but I am not going to complain! It's a treat!
Actually, this theme is an elaboration of one introduced by Pushkin in "Mozart and Salieri". In Pushkin's version, Salieri literally poisoned Mozart.
Omg I can't believe this is happening.
Big Murray is such a talented actor, dramatic and comedic.
F. Murray Abraham won an Academy Award for his role in Amadeus and I'd say it was well-deserved.
Does anyone else think that Salieri in the movie is a textbook Nice Guy? He can only see virtue and vice on the surface level and thinks that the universe owes him what he wants just because he lives up to what he thinks is a decent person.
Yep. I'd say he is also a study in a man's fall to his own vices, of some of the 7 deadly sins
Thank you so much for doing this! I’ve been wanting to see an analysis on him! Keep up the great work!
analyzing evil Syndrome from The Incredibles and Lord Cutler Beckett from the Pirates of the Caribbean
great video as always, an episode on Peaky Blinders would be amazing, whether about Major Campbell, Alfie Solomons, Luca Changretta or even the peaky blinders themselves
Easily one of my favorite performances in any film I've ever seen.
I used to love watching this movie when I was younger, still do. I think we all have a Salieri in our lives
Its funny cause this movie is mentioned and joked about in "Last Action Hero".
Because they mention how F. Murray Abraham used to be type casted as a secret bad guy and it comes back later how his character is secretly working for the villain.
Most excellent! I was consumed with this movie as a child and you nit the nail on the head. Wonderful!
I love your content, thank you for making this series. Salieri always struck me as a pernicious figure in the way he exerted his bruised ego. Good analysis !
One of the greatest aspects in this movie is that while Salieri consider himself a mediocrity in comparison to mozart. During his life he was the more sucessful, famous and respected composer. He was so blind by jealousy and supposed hatred of god, that he couldn’t notice his own hypocrisy. God didn’t betray a supossed deal between them. Saleri became a famous composer that got to life he wanted from the beginning, it was Saileris vanity that was his own fault from the very beginning.
@Jacob you are right and Salieri tells on himself in one of the first scenes of the movie after he gives his background on how he eventually became celebrated in Vienna
He literally says "Everybody liked me....I liked myself"
Meaning that until Mozart showed up, af as he was concerned God had kept their side of the bargain. Salieri had wealth, popularity and was favored by a king .
What Salieri didn't bank on was a more talented composer coming along . But that's not the deal he struck with god...he said "make me a great composer, make me famous ."
Welp, he did 🤷🏾♀️
Like , he didn't include in his bargain "make me the greatest composer ever so that any who come before or after me will always be found wanting compared to me"
Salieri got what he literally asked for but he was so greedy and jealous it was not enough to satisfy him
In a way , I can see why Salieri felt punked by "God"....not because Salieri was wronged ..but because "God" showed how one consumed with vanity can never be satisfied
Thanks for doing this one!
Very well done video for one of my favorite films.
I also thought about this. Even if Salieri didn’t become so envious of Mozart , I still think he would have been a footnote in history. Both were very talented musical artists, but here lies the rub. Salieri spent his time creating music to please the Elite while Mozart spent his time creating music meant to appeal to common everyday people. Nobody here has to guess which was going to have a lasting impact.
That does line up with their music in real-life. Mozart’s is still remembered and listened by most around the world. Salieri’s, on the other hand, gets a listen mainly just due to curiosity.
Awesome video! I love your content and the characters you choose to analyze!
Congratulations on 63 episodes of what's definitely one of the very best channels on RUclips! Here's to a million more!
Massive respect for your job.
The funny thing is is that his music has almost fallen into obscurity. Until then This movie came out and now his music is more popular than what it was when he was alive.. His music is beautiful. Though he could not Hold a candle to Mozart he was talented
He should do a video of Analyzing evil on William Foster from Falling Down, he's such a conflicting main character. I think anyone can relate to his anger and frustration with modern life to an extent, such an underrated movie
I didn't know much about him
But the movie had me hooked, and I was very interested in researching the real story And his music too
So ironically, after almost 200 years by making him villain I came to know about Antonio Salieri and his awesome works, I hope many of you have too.
I recommend the documentary The Making of Amadeus. (I found it on RUclips with Castilian subtitles) As much as I've always enjoyed watching both the theatrical cut and the director's cut. The documentary makes it even more enjoyable.
Thank you for the information! I’ve been watching RUclips videos to learn English and I’ve just started to study Spanish so definitely I’m going to search the video you recommended. Have a nice Sunday, from Japan. 😊
This Salieri rivals Heath Ledger's Joker. I don't care if they're not really comparable. It's art!
I like the video BUT it's simplistic how you think of Salieri looking at his father's death as a miracle. The word miracle there was used intentionally to suggest his immense passion for music. He also was the narrator in the movie, he was narrating his life form the dying man's perspective and in retrospect, the worst in his life at the time when it was lived, seems now nothing short of a miracle now when he is old and telling the story to that priest. Again, the movie is a work of art, it is deeper than "this is good, this is bad" kind of plot, but it looks at the complexity of Salieri's destiny who started pursuing the passion that would model his whole life only after his father's death. It's tragic but looking back at his life as a whole, it was a miracle.
I have never seen Salieri as a villain, since I first saw this movie at 12 years old. Maybe part of the reason is that I saw the theatrical cut, which is a tighter and superior film. It removes scenes where Salieri acts truly evil, including the one with Constanze. I also thought the ending scene was more about Salieri trying to help Mozart write his opera so he could get paid for it. Even if it's actually Salieri trying to steal Mozart's work for himself, it doesn't change the trajectory of the film. Salieri is ultimately a tragic figure and more envious than evil.
Whaddaya know, I’ve been in a classical music mood recently lol. I love your videos!
Haven't seen this film but I swear that actor always plays villains 😄
one of the greatest characters ever created, some of the best dialogue ever written, and perhaps the finest performance ever committed to film (with plenty of competition from hulce and the rest of the cast, especially jeffrey jones). three decades later, and everything about this film still holds up.
KEvron