Travis Simpkins: Amadeus (1984): Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri

Sunday, November 1, 2015

Amadeus (1984): Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri

Directed by Milos Frman, and written by Peter Shaffer, Amadeus (1984) won the Best Picture Academy Award and ranks on the American Film Institute's list of the 100 Greatest Films Ever Made. The story centers on composer Antonio Salieri, reflecting in his old age on the jealousy and hatred he felt for the ultra-talented musical prodigy, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart… and the role he played in driving Mozart to an early death at the age of 35. The film ignores the popular Freemason conspiracy angle surrounding Mozart's death, and instead leans toward an examination of artistic rivalry gone morbid in the form of an unfinished Requiem. Great care is given in depicting the 18th Century Vienna setting, with wonderful period costume and set design. Tom Hulce is animated as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. F. Murray Abraham deservedly won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Antonio Salieri. The supporting cast is great as well, including Elizabeth Berridge, Jeffrey Jones, Simon Callow and Christine Ebersole.