Amadeus | |
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Directed by | Miloš Forman |
Produced by | Saul Zaentz |
Written by | Peter Shaffer (creator) |
Starring | F. Murray Abraham Tom Hulce Elizabeth Berridge |
Cinematography | Miroslav Ondricek |
Editing by | Michael Chandler Nena Danevic |
Distributed by | Saul Zaentz company |
Release date(s) | September 19, 1984 |
Running time | 160 min., 180 min. (Director's Cut) |
Country | USA |
Language | English |
Budget | $18,000,000 |
Gross revenue | $51,973,029 (US) |
IMDb profile |
Amadeus is a 1984 movie loosely based on Mozart's life, using the plot device of a supposed rivalry with Antonio Salieri (the first 10% of the movie is all about Salieri, even his encounter with the "giggling, dirty minded creature crawling on the floor"). The movie is based on the play of the same name by Peter Shaffer.
Salieri is jealous when the monarch employing him as a court composer commissions Mozart to write an opera in German. He is astounded to read some original sheet music (brought secretly by Mozart's wife); there are no corrections in them, as if he had the finished music in his head and was simply transcribing it.
The film was a critical success, earning 8 Oscars; Best Actor in a Leading Role (F. Murray Abraham), Best Art Direction-Set Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Director, Best Makeup, Best Picture, Best Sound, and Best Writing, Screenplay Material based on another medium. It was also nominated for Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Tom Hulce) in a rare double nomination.
The film made about $51,973,029 in the United States alone.[1]