Amadeus (1984)

VHS COVER/SIDE

Length of film:  160 Minutes  (Directors Cut: 180 Minutes:)

Rated: 14-A   

Genre: Biography, Drama, History

Director: Milos Forman

Starring: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Roy Dotrice, Simon Callow, Christine Ebersole

IMDB Rank: 8.4 /10

Part 1 Time:  98 Minutes  (Directors Cut: 115 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  62 Minutes (Directors Cut: 65 Minutes )

Where does the first part end? Constanze Mozart (Elizabeth Berridge) informs Wolfgang (Tom Hulce) that his father has passed away.

Final line of dialogue on the first part:  “Wolfe, your father is dead.” Constanze states to Wolfgang.

First line of dialogue on the second part: “So arose a dreadful ghost” Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) speaks to a priest about a past Mozart opera.

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Minimal, Mozart and his fathers relationship has been strained in the years leading up to his fathers death. Mozart is shocked by his fathers passing. How will he cope with his fathers passing?

Which part is better? In part one we see the masterful work of Mozart as he composes musical pieces with ease. Antonio Salieri views Mozart as his rival and plans to use Mozart to his own ends. In part two we see Mozart beginning to slip with heavy drinking, partying, stress and illness. It is difficult to chose a better part, but a slight advantage goes to part one as it shows not only the genius of Mozart at the top of his success, but also the Austria high society of the 18th century.

Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Leading Actor (F. Murray Abraham), Best Director, Best Writing-Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Costume Design, Best Makeup, Best Sound, Best Leading Actor (Nominated- Tom Hulce) Best Cinematography (Nominated), Best Film Editing (Nominated).

National Film Registry: 2019