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Amadeus

Amadeus

1984
2h 40m
Amadeus (1984) is a fictionalized account of the rivalry between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri, a court composer in Vienna. Salieri is deeply jealous of Mozart's genius and begins to plot his downfall. He commissions Mozart to write a Requiem, believing it will be his last work. As Mozart's health declines, Salieri becomes increasingly consumed by guilt and despair.
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Amadeus

1984
2h 40m
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Avg Percentile 72.63% from 9042 total ratings

Ratings & Reviews

(9042)
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Rated 07 Mar 2007
6
98th
In a way, Amadeus is the greatest musical ever made. There has never been a film in which music plays a bigger role, not just in providing a sublime soundtrack that underlines the film as if itself an opera composed by Mozart, but providing the plot and the motivations of every single character. And it's supported by an incredible screenplay, Abraham's all-time great performance, and an unmatched scope and attention to detail. Salieri may speak for mediocrities, but this film is anything but.
Rated 14 Oct 2008
95
98th
Very good music-movie. What a strange man Amadeus with a special laugh but very funny.
Rated 02 Jan 2008
100
99th
Anyone with any humanity must see this film. Vastly underated. Lavish sets, some of the most beautiful of Mozart's work as a score and exquisitly filmed. Forget issues over historical accuracy they are not the point. Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham give masterpiece performances that are truly worthy of their subject matter. This film will shake your concept of Mozart, touch your heart and move you to tears in equal measures. - Genius!
Rated 17 Apr 2009
5
93rd
An intricate medley of high and low, decorum and vulgarity, art and accessibility. The sheer absurdity of this warped biographical portrait might be inappropriate if it weren't elevated with such aesthetic elegance and textual complexity. A deep longing for the grace of God, rejected and lashed out in return with jealousy and vengeance. Abraham's performance is one for the ages.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
89
92nd
There are three stars to this movie: the exquisite costuming and set design, the glorious music of Mozart, and F. Murray Abraham. Tom Hulce does pretty good, while Elizabeth Berridge is barely passable (one might guess she was hired solely on the heft of her bosom) but it's Abraham who steals the show, turning in a astounding performance as the villainous Salieri. The director's cut of this movie causes some bloat, but adds valuable interaction between Salieri and Constanze.
Rated 13 Feb 2008
92
95th
Historical accuracy be damned if a film's this good. F. Murray Abraham is absolutely astounding as Salieri in his portrayal of blinding jealousy, rage, hatred and sheer amazement of his rival Mozart. The film captures genius and madness. Fantastic movie.
Rated 24 Oct 2008
99
95th
Forman's foremost masterpiece. expertly put together, and it's perhaps the greatest biopic picture ever made. F. Murray Abraham's performance is mind-boggling, simply astounding if you ask me. Although historically inaccurate, this is still a fantastic interpretation of Mozart.
Rated 01 Aug 2009
9
98th
While it will always be rightly remembered as one of the few films to successfully capture the power of music, Amadeus is perhaps best viewed as a story about failure and the tragic and terrible consequences which can result from the realization that your ideal self is not your true self.
Rated 09 Jan 2020
92
98th
This is superb, but you all knew that already. The soundtrack was great, as you might expect, but I felt it missed a trick by not showcasing "Rock Me Amadeus" by Falco. A truly absorbing and entertaining biopic, with a masterful central performance by Abraham. It made me a bit sad - how good could Mozart have been with the right support? I have no idea how much of this film was grounded in real life, however. Despite a couple of annoying points (that laugh, the one-note wife), this is superb.
Rated 18 Mar 2007
99
99th
Mozart is considered the voice of God, and there isn't anything that captures that more intensely and captivating than Amadeus. It is the premier biopic. It never gets the credit it deserves and it's mind boggling that's the case. There are few, if any, movies that have moved me the way that Amadeus has.
Rated 09 May 2008
99
99th
No, it's not historically accurate, but when something is made like this, it doesn't need to be. The scene with Mozart dictating to Salieri is likely my favourite scene in all cinema.
Rated 20 Dec 2009
94
93rd
Elegant, thought provoking. F. Murray Abraham is a great Salieri. He plays a man consumed with envy as only an extraordinarily gifted character actor not blessed with good looks could. Hulce is effective too, but I'm never convinced he could actually write such glorious music (but then, maybe that's the point). Forman's creates a very effective 18th Century Austrian atmosphere. I also like the theological question the movie raises: how can God give such genius to a putz like Mozart?
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
89th
Forman crafts a delicate, meticulously put together epic on Mozart's excentric persona and his never ending dispute with Salieri. A technical wonder with inspired performances from Hulce and Abraham.
Rated 24 Aug 2007
17
94th
Salieri's struggle to reconcile divine predestination with the appearance of the precocious, detestable Mozart is wonderful, and the creeping, growing warmth of Salieri towards Mozart--or perhaps the changing of Mozart--is shared beautifully with the audience.
Rated 02 Mar 2008
100
97th
Classic. Everyone needs to watch this - it's one of the few films that succeeds on every level. Some of the opera sequences might be slow for those who don't appreciate them, however.
Rated 08 Feb 2015
100
99th
My favorite film of all time. Every single little aspect of it is so masterfully done - from the music to the sets to the acting to the costumes to the cinematography to the lighting to every other little thing. It truly is deserving of the Best Picture award, beyond most any other film I've ever seen. A truly great example of what Hollywood can accomplish when everything goes right.
Rated 25 Jul 2016
94
95th
More about a warped character assassination than accurate history (this is why Hulce is perfect). Abraham is compelling as the patron saint of mediocrity, a man always justified in feeling but never acting the way he does towards his wunderkind frenemy. Production accolades are well-earned, it flaunts deliciously candlelit sets, decadent costumes, and convincing age makeup. And well-paced, three hours just flies by. "Old dead legends. Why must we go on forever writing about gods and legends?"
Rated 31 Jan 2007
90
85th
I think almost everyone agrees that this is a good movie, and I'm not going to dispute that. I do have a complaint though: most of the scenes between Mozart and his wife are boring, melodramatic soap opera (no pun intended) fare. Thankfully there aren't too many of them. And did they really have to make Mozart that much of a buffoon? I know he was a bit of an eccentric, but come on already. These issues manage to knock Amadeus down one notch in my book, but it's still pretty close to perfect.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
8
93rd
Historical accuracy? Don't need it. This puts today's biopics to shame, and all of the scenes where Mozart out-composes Salieri make the latter's frustration and rage palpable. Beautiful set design, great music, intense drama, and even a few laughs are all to be had here, and it's wonderful.
Rated 05 May 2008
95
87th
I have admittedly seen few of his films, but Forman is pretty damn awesome in my book. This movie is no exception, getting what is easily F. Murray Abraham's best performance and including the beautiful bosom of Elizabeth Berridge into tight and exposing clothes.
Rated 10 Jan 2009
80
84th
"I heard the music of true forgiveness filling the theater, conferring on all who sat there, perfect absolution. God was singing through this little man to all the world, unstoppable, making my defeat more bitter with every passing bar. "
Rated 10 Jun 2007
80
80th
If you are looking for an accurate story of the life of Mozart then you won't find it here. What you will find is a dramatic tale of envy and jealousy combined with fun and quirky characters. Murray Abraham's performance as Salieri is perfect. The music and opera combine with the plot to produce a wonderful film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
80
84th
Tom Hulce and F. Murray Abraham both give excellent, animated performances, but the real star of this film is Elizabeth Berridge's cleavage. Wow.
Rated 08 Nov 2007
91
94th
If you didn't like Mozart before watching this, you will afterwards.
Rated 17 Feb 2009
86
87th
I felt I would have appreciated this more if I was familiar with the work of Mozart (I'm sure I missed lots of subtle nods and "in jokes"), but even still, I loved this. First, Abraham is absolutely tremendous...what a character! His recollections as "old" Salieri were fantastic, and made you understood exactly WHY he hated Mozart, and the depth that the hatred ran. Hulce was very enjoyable as Mozart, as well, hitting all the right notes. A little too long? Yes..but Milos Forman did a GREAT job.
Rated 03 Mar 2009
98
98th
Amadeus is Forman's Masterpiece.Everything in and around that Movie is fascinating and glorious.Pompous Costumes, extraordinary choice of requisites and colors,superb acting by Abraham and the other stars. This Movie is so close to Mozart, so close to perfection.A Biopgraphic marvel on celluloid.
Rated 22 Nov 2006
86
82nd
One of the most compelling movies ever.
Rated 29 Nov 2006
90
75th
I really was scared when I saw this as a kid. Now I think it's just an amazing historical drama by one of the most interesting directors of the last decades. A true classic.
Rated 13 Jan 2007
90
92nd
Amazing job of recreating baroque Austria. It's a visual and an aural treat, plus the story is very compelling.
Rated 26 Mar 2007
0
8th
I know I'm alone in this opinion, but I think this is an abominable piece of crap. The pace is way too fast, and it portrays one of the great geniuses of mankind as an immature little prick
Rated 10 Jun 2007
5
97th
A fantastic interpretation of what may have happened to Mozart. The music of course is fantastic and the portrayals of all the characters is just fantastic.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
92
95th
A fantastic biopic and historical piece. Milos Forman shows why he is at the top of his craft in nearly every minute of this film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
78
88th
Historically inaccurate but strong movie by all means.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
93
98th
Sumptious art direction and the most wonderful music -- plus a truly fascinating drama at its core.
Rated 14 Mar 2008
97
99th
The movie is called Amadeus, but it's about Salieri, a jealous, sad, cold, bitter man, played with haunting perfection by F. Murray Abraham. The film is a moving illustration of what happens to a man when he mistakenly judges the merits of his own life by comparing it to those of others. It's also a chilling example of what can happen when a person looks solely to God as the perpetrator of one's misfortunes. Simply an amazing movie.
Rated 17 May 2008
90
97th
fine acting and a wonderful story against a framiliar backdrop, this is 80's film making at its finest.
Rated 09 Jul 2008
86
51st
An overly dramatized biopic of Mozart by director Milos Forman. The story revolves around Salieri's disdain towards Mozart's raise to fame, while struggling to reconcile divine predestination. As he claims, it is "he" who should have been renowned all throughout the land as the greatest composer of the time. While undeserving of all its praise, nevertheless, both F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce give exceptional performances as Salieri and Mozart respectively; even if one of them is a buffoon.
Rated 10 Jul 2008
100
99th
It's just perfect. Dramatic, funny, interesting and beautiful. Both Mozart and Salieri are intriguing characters portrayed by excellent actors. Definitely among my favorite movies.
Rated 09 Oct 2008
90
92nd
amazing
Rated 23 Jan 2009
99
98th
Probably the best film about music ever made. And I love music, so this is a no-brainer for me. Perfect performances and all in all an excellently crafted film.
Rated 11 Feb 2009
100
92nd
Beautiful movie about a troubled passionate artist
Rated 19 Jul 2009
100
98th
It's a film that makes you laugh, makes you laugh, makes you laugh, makes you laugh, then makes you cry. Very powerful story, and wonderfully entertaining.
Rated 25 Sep 2010
93
98th
Performances of a lifetime for Abraham and Hulce but the music and atomosphere steal the show.
Rated 26 Feb 2011
89
92nd
Antonio Salieri is one of the most compelling characters that I have seen in a movie. The acting, sets/costumes, and especially the music make this a truly great film. Unfortunately, I will never get Mozart's laugh out of my head. Ever.
Rated 08 May 2012
98
98th
No review can do this movie justice. It's one of the most fascinating movies I've ever seen. The two leads are spectacular. The music and atmosphere and phenomenal. The directing and story are super tight. It deserves its reputation as one of the best movies ever made.
Rated 28 Jun 2012
80
75th
An unforgettable experience of a movie. F. Murray Abraham, in a stunning, unforgettable performance, gradually and expertly pulls us into his twisted, insane mind, making us feel the agony he puts Mozart through, closing with an ending that casts a clear light on the kind of person Salieri had become. The greatness of this film didn't hit me until around the third act, but when I saw all the elements come together it just blew me away.
Rated 30 Jul 2012
100
98th
Amadeus is brilliant, there's so much to love. It has everything a film needs: from the absorbing operatic visuals to the characters and acting to the screenplay to the absolutely incredible use of music. But my favorite has to be framing the story from the point of view of Salieri, the jealous and obsessed prick, because ultimately he's the one we all relate to rather than the prodigy.
Rated 09 Dec 2016
86
83rd
Having seen the theatrical and director's cuts, I can say that while the movie is tonally and aesthetically beautiful, a lot of these scenes play out way too long and become pretty damn boring. But that doesn't completely take away from the movie knowing what makes the drama work. Salieri and Mozart are portrayed in ways that make the story unbelievably fascinating and compelling. It's just got too many dry, slowly paced scenes. In short, a great piece, but with too many notes.
Rated 09 Mar 2017
80
68th
Never before or after will a film see such a high budget for powdered wigs.
Rated 11 Dec 2006
97
95th
Sweeping, majestic, epic, etc etc
Rated 12 Dec 2006
95
99th
Fantastic writing, direction, acting, art design and music make this one of the greatest films of the 20th Century and a firm favourite.
Rated 29 Jan 2007
91
82nd
Brilliantly told through genius F. Murray Abraham's character. Tom Hulce is one funny Mozart!
Rated 01 Feb 2007
90
96th
The price of genius is high, and seldom as glamorous as many would imagine. Well illustrated in this portrayal of Mozart's life.
Rated 24 Feb 2007
75
89th
Good film.
Rated 27 Feb 2007
98
99th
I will never ever ever get tired of this movie!
Rated 14 Aug 2007
87
75th
Historically inaccurate but well-staged and -acted film.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
98th
Not fan of classic music but after seeing this movie, maybe I change my mind ...
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
A lesson in why F. Murray Abraham is God.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
94
95th
Everything about this film is simply great. There isn't much more to say.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
85
94th
-20 points if you dislike Mozart's music. See it anyway, though, if only to see Abraham giving the performance of a lifetime.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
97th
Enthralling piece about envy. F. Murray Abraham's performance is dead on as the jealous Salieri.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
100
99th
One of the greatest movies ever made and one that everyone should own.
Rated 18 Oct 2007
70
81st
Amazingly original period piece with exceptional casting and storytelling. Very appealing and compelling.
Rated 16 Nov 2007
100
99th
wonderful!
Rated 28 Dec 2007
98
77th
Tremendous in all aspects. Despite being 3 hours long it carries its story incredibly well.
Rated 25 Feb 2008
95
92nd
genius!
Rated 14 Mar 2008
93
93rd
Great movie. I love the Requim sequence.
Rated 17 Apr 2008
99
99th
Astoundingly good, compelling drama wreathed with Mozart's most hair-raisingly great compositions. Immaculate production design, excellent acting all around, and flawless pacing. I will never forget the experience of watching some films for the first time--this is one of them.
Rated 01 May 2008
85
88th
A film sensitive, beautiful. Brilliant performances, great script, but mainly the direction, the best of the film. Milos Forman was excellent.
Rated 24 Jun 2008
76
82nd
A wonderful creation.
Rated 08 Jul 2008
94
68th
This movie is awesome with amazing music. I mean it's Mozart.
Rated 12 Jul 2008
96
97th
Incredible vision, and perfect realisation.
Rated 15 Jul 2008
92
97th
incredible movie, beautiful costumes and sets
Rated 03 Aug 2008
92
94th
Excellent
Rated 04 Oct 2008
90
90th
Best Picture winner that actually deserved it? Here you go.
Rated 04 Oct 2008
100
99th
Best US-movie of the 80's? Forman's biopic is almost as ingenious as the cultural icon it portrays. Flawless in every frame, sound and way of acting, direction and mise-en-scené. Well, there it is.
Rated 31 Oct 2008
90
90th
Beautiful film
Rated 15 Jan 2009
90
92nd
Epic.
Rated 03 Feb 2009
90
95th
I really liked this at the time, but then I am a piano teacher and was very keen on all things Mozart in the 80s!
Rated 10 Feb 2009
100
98th
I remember the day my band teacher said we were going to watch a film in class. I remember thinking that the film was sure to be shit because you don't get to see good movies at school. I remember being wrong.
Rated 19 Mar 2009
100
93rd
It's a stunning film full of great music, drama, and wit.
Rated 17 Apr 2009
9
92nd
A very likable film. It keeps you interested and has great performances. Hard to poke faults at as its just such a pleasure to watch.
Rated 06 Jul 2009
97
99th
The closest a film has ever gotten to perfection.The direction is just superb,the acting is excellent,the script, and how could I not mention the amazing set design.This film is almost perfect in every area.Highly recommended.
Rated 21 Jul 2009
88
89th
A brilliant portrayal of a brilliant mind. Have you ever heard of the great Mozart? You know, the child prodigy that could play the piano blindfolded at the age of 5 and that is now considered one of the greatest Western composers of all time. Well, this movie will probably change your preconceptions about the man. Capable of both intellectualism and silliness, "Amadeus" is an existential portrait of an artist and a human being. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
Rated 27 Sep 2009
90
92nd
An interesting take on the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. F. Murray Abraham plays the villain Antonio Salieri to perfection. One of the best of the 80's.
Rated 14 Jan 2010
85
89th
Gripping and creative narration of Mozarts life with heavy focus on Salieri. If one looks at this as an original movie - and not as a historical account - there is a lot of entertainment value here. The film has a very natural flow (despite it's obvious length) and is spiced up with a lot of excerpts of Mozarts music. His music fits his life perfectly and makes a great score. I almost forgot to mention the great cast of this movie: Very good performance by everyone involved.
Rated 23 May 2010
70
77th
A way to hear some good music and learn something about it too. Although the plot is impossible since Salieri as a royal composer was regarded as greater than Mozart (it's all because of Pushkin!) it is quite an - dare I say it - enjoyable tale of envy and hatred. Oh, and occasional mentions of Marie Antoinette, my favourite queen ever.
Rated 15 Jul 2010
10
92nd
Amadeus is one of the greatest movies ever made about the act of creating art. Although the title refers to Mozart, the movie is about his rival Salieri. Salieri is alternately repulsed by Mozart's personality and the idea that god bestowed greatness on him rather than himself, and entranced by the great music he produces. The performers, particularly Abraham, are brilliant. And Mozart's music becomes a character of its own, perfectly fitting every scene of this movie.
Rated 05 Aug 2010
80
91st
F. Murray Abraham.
Rated 14 May 2011
90
97th
"Amadeus" is a wonderful film, filled with great music and charged with powerful sentiments. F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce are just wonderful and the scenes they have together are either hilarious or atmospherical and electrifying. The script is ingenious and brilliantly structured, while the direction and cinematography are mesmerizing. "Amadeus" grabs your attention immediately and doesn't let go.
Rated 02 Aug 2011
94
89th
Extraordinary depiction of the relationship between Sallieri and Mozart, with both Abraham and Hulce delivering flawless performances. Takes some time to adjust to Hulce's deliberately mannered affectations, but he ultimately delivers in spades. Sumptuous production values, and rich musical performances (along with expert editing of the performances) makes for an exciting, engrossing experience, if slightly overlong.
Rated 05 Sep 2011
86
84th
Professionally crafted bio-pic that does more than just document what the artist did (but it does it expertly) but also portrays the relationship between two brilliant artists, one struggling with the popularity of the other - this is the highlight of this embarrassment-of-riches film.
Rated 15 Jan 2012
100
98th
They had to scrape me off the floor. Elizabeth Berridge : O
Rated 22 Jul 2012
85
88th
The script is inventive and funny, the characters are well defined and superbly acted, the set and costume design are incredibly detailed and the sountrack is, of course, magnificent. I thought that the movie could have come to a conclusion sooner but it was the directer's cut that I watched so maybe that's harsh criticism. Anyway, I'd be quite happy to watch Abraham's perfomance, coupled with Mozart's music, for many more hours.
Rated 15 Apr 2013
96
99th
Probably the greatest musical/biography ever made. Direction = superb. Cinematography = brilliant for that time. Music = fantastic!
Rated 28 Sep 2013
94
95th
Great film and sublime score of course. Not perfect but powerful, moving and re-watchable many many times over
Rated 10 Sep 2015
95
95th
Lavish and lustful, with excellent performances and some iconic costume design. I think Tom Hulce doesn't get enough credit overall but like the play, the film's focus on the titular character remains strictly within the title. Abraham is outstanding as Salieri, from beginning to the end. The use of the music is not obnoxious but draws attention to itself when necessary. Extended cut breezes by too.
Rated 12 Apr 2016
85
88th
Amadeus is a strange film to be sure, with the whimsicalness of characters and actions. While strange, the movie is a near masterpiece. Great performances by F. Murray Abraham and Tom Hulce really dominate the film, but Forman's striking, bold direction is unmistakable. An entertaining, all-be-it, long, illustration of two men and the music that defined their lives.
Rated 21 Aug 2017
93
96th
Great film and sublime score of course. Not perfect but powerful, moving and re-watchable many many times over
Rated 15 Feb 2020
75
61st
Being one of my favorite movies since my childhood, maybe it was a mistake to rewatch it. But now that I have, I have to say it's greatness can't stand the test of time. The part where the adjective 'great' remains is when describing the percentage of fantasy in the story: In 1984 it was OK to fool the audience so deeply, apparently? The only moments I forgot I was watching actors on a set were the performances of the opera's, done by professionals. And all scenes with Jeffrey Jones of course.

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