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I was in high school in 1984, the year the blockbuster motion picture "Amadeus" was released. Teachers generally jump for joy when they see an opportunity to make learning "cool." Predictably, we were assigned to see it for history class. The movie itself - the cinematography, the lavish settings and costumes, the acting, the music, the gripping story - was wonderful. Nominated for eleven Oscars, it won eight, encluding Best Picture and Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham (Salieri). My musical education was virtually non-existent. We had a music class once a week in grammar school, where we sang hippie songs around the piano and memorized a handful of music facts. ("Zubin Mehta is the conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.") My knowledge of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was nil. And so this film became the core of my knowledge of Mozart and his music and life. It was twenty-two years before I found out it was mostly a fantasy. This year I am teaching my son all about classical music and composers. We homeschool, and I want my children's music education to be more than what I had. I want them to be able to read music and play and instrument. And I want them to be familiar with important works and composers. So each month this year we listen to a different composer and read a children's biography of him together. First up was Mozart, one of my favorites. How surprised was I when the details of his life did not jibe with what I remembered. Well, maybe I remembered it wrong. I recently had the opportunity to watch the film again, for the first time since I had seen it in the theater in 1984. On the DVD there are extra materials, and one of those extra features discusses how the story was developed. The film was adapted from a play by Peter Shaffer. Shaffer took vignettes of the life and legend of Mozart and wove them into a "fantasia." Fantasy? Made up? I felt cheated. Don't get me wrong, it is a good movie, a compelling tale of a faith abandoned, a life given over to sin. But I was told, by the filmmakers and my teachers, that this was history. Even the behemoth Internet Movie Database lists the genre of this film first as "Biography," then "Drama." Nowhere in the film itself is the same disclaimer made as in the DVD extras; that the film was largely fictionalized from some facts of Mozart's and Salieri's lives. Putting the historical issue aside, the film is worthy of attention. Not because of it's title character, Mozart, who appears in it only through the eyes and reminiscences of Salieri. It is really the story of the soul of Salieri. His immature spirituality and pride which lead to disaster. F. Murray Abraham is compelling as the Italian-born Salieri, court composer to Emporer Joseph in 1790's Vienna. Mozart is portrayed (by Tom Hulce) as an immature alcoholic. The dialogue, unfortunately, contains some foul language and adult conduct. There is also a bloody scene which could be upsetting. I would recommend this for older teens and adults, with the caveat that this isn't really what happened.Read full review
I looked for quite a while trying to find the theatrical cut of this (I've always found it better than the director's cut) but they apparently don't even make it anymore. When I found it here though, it made my day. This version is so finely tuned and well crafted that I never EVER get tired of it. The DC always felt a little off because this movie is written and cut around musical cues which get wonky when you wedge new scenes in between old ones. Literally the only downside is the fact that this is a two sided disc, but I suppose it is a very long movie so what can you do? You can watch it and love it.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
I like having the physical disc as opposed to having digital rights stored in the cloud. Great price and decent delivery.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This seller provided one of the rare DVD versions of the theatrical cut of the Academy Award-winning masterpiece "Amadeus." I've been searching for it since the indulgent, slow-moving "Director's Cut" was introduced in 2002. The only disadvantages of the product are having to flip the disc (not uncommon in 1997, when it was released). Also, for whatever reason, it requires an extended audio set-up every time you play it. Otherwise it plays only the soundtrack (no dialogue), while sometimes adding subtitles. Once you get the procedure down, it's ALL WORTH IT! I couldn't recommend this gorgeous, well-paced version of "Amadeus" more to any potential lover of the film and of Mozart's music. Check this seller out for more!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This non "Director's Cut" version is worlds better! I hope they release this theatrical version on Blu-Ray soon, but in the meantime this is the only way to access the better cut of this amazing film.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: New
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