I’d also like to add this: Though this film is more about Salieri descent into madness, this is also the very same with Mozart’s story. Albeit, influenced by Salieri scheming and plotting behind his back..however Mozart’s strive for greatness is the very same illness that Salieri wielded. Both were the villains in their own story. Mozart was spared the eternal suffering and longing. Finally being able to release. While Salieri made it his entire identity. A lesson to take from this, at least to me, is the pendulum of dancing with these desires. To drive the self as far as you can, without going off the edge. That balance is worth noting, seeing how in this film both went off the edge and into the state of madness. An extreme that both were capable of from the very beginning. Obsession and Passion.
WhatUp James. I also LOVE OPERA!!! ... Would be dope to catch up an opera at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. I invite friends all the time!! BTW: His REQUIEM was completed by one of his students, Franz Xaver Süssmayr.
It's interesting that you noted Mozart's laugh reminding you of The Joker. Mark Hamill played Mozart in a stage production of Amadeus in the 1980's. he learnt to do a musical laugh as part of the character. Several years later he was able to use that musical laughter to get the role of The Joker on Batman the Animated series.
I got to see Hamill in that production. A family friend was onstage as a servant (and some other non speaking parts) and took me to meet him backstage. Really nice guy, asked me what I liked about the play, gave a starstruck kid his time and attention. Forever fan of this channel
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
@@JamesVSCinema I believe Mark Hamill was under consideration to play Mozart in the film, but Hulce got the part because of Hamill being known as Luke Skywalker.
Fun fact I recently learned: For the death bed scene none of the actors knew each other's lines. Each of them were given an earpiece and musicians dictated terms to the actors and it was done on the fly. That moment of Salieri's frustration of not keeping up then getting it is the actor getting lost then getting back on track with the scene. What talent!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
It's a perfect moment though because it more than anything else demonstrates the true gulf in ability between Salieri and Mozart. Salieri is an accomplished musician and is talented enough to see the beauty of Mozart's work, but when he comes face to face with the actual composition process Mozart is so far ahead of him (and everyone else) that he struggles to understand what he's trying to do until it's spelled out for him.
The scene that always gets me is when Salieri reveals his big plan, and the expression on the priest's face is just one of abject horror at the monstrosity of Salieri's blasphemy. He wants to kill Mozart and by doing so humble God himself. Such powerful acting.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
@@fmellish71 to be fair, i saw Amadeus for the first time around that age too (like 13 or 14-ish lol). I was absolutely mesmerized by it and wore that VHS tape out haha. Still one of my favorite movies ever made.
@@Itstwofourteen Almost the same story for me with the curious 13-year old getting the VHS from the library. I was determined to watch all of the AFI Top 100 list at the time since I first saw the TNT special home sick from school one day.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
He also wants it because he's desperate for it to be finished. Only by being finished and taking it with him can his plan to take credit for it work. Mozart died too early (and Constanze arrived too early) for this to happen, meaning his attempt failed and he got nothing.
I saw this theatrically when I was in high school for a band class field trip. As a 16 year old metal head I thought it would be as entertaining as a root canal. I don’t think I was ever more wrong about a movie, it’s a masterpiece on every level.👍😂
The director Milo's Forman, also made "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" it is the second of only 3 films in history to win the top 5 academy awards, if you haven't seen it, it should shoot to the top of your must watch list.
@@JulioLeonFandinho That's right and Frank Capra made It Happened One Night...also a timeless classic. Loves of a Blonde and The Fireman's Ball are also great Milos Forman films
@@fmellish71 "The Fireman's Ball" and "Loves Of A Blonde" are fantastic Milos Forman films. As for his American films, definitely "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", and also "Ragtime" is excellent.
Your take on Salieri's character is spot on and one of the most illuminating I've ever heard. The man is a good man and a competent artist who corrupts his soul and his life and his career with pettiness and competition when friendship and connection were at his fingertips.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
There's a lot of dramatization obviously, Salieri did not kill Mozart, and they were reportedly friends and had mutual respect for each other, but so much of the characterization and stories in this movie are accurate, when you look at letters written by Mozart and also how people of the time characterized Mozart himself.
It's been a long time, so more history between the two has likely been uncovered. But, back in the day, it was thought that Salieri knew Mozart, though not well. And that he didn't hurt him or his career. He didn't help him, either. When I first saw this movie, it was so clear that the character of Salieri was good enough to enjoy the high post he had in Joseph's court. However, his envy and jealousy were about Mozart's genius. He knew enough to understand that he himself was Good. But, Mozart, as "God's favorite,' was on a completely unique level. Salieri describes it as Mozart "taking dictation" from God. That's deep. Salieri Couldn't reach that height. Ever. I'm an educational researcher. Believe me. Gifted. Is. Incredibly. Different. Even mildly gifted people are very separate from the "average" human, nevermind the Exceptionally Gifted. That's why many people want to shut down Gifted Education programs in American schools. A few talented Salieris. A Rare number of Mozarts. A whole lot of Josephs. haha. To me, in the movie, Salieri could've connected with both God and Mozart if he would have become a mentor, patron, and friend. His name would have been connected to arguably The Greatest composer, musician, and artist ever born. I'll have to see this extended version some time. I read the original script, but only saw the theatrical version. Really interesting reaction. Thank you
@@LA_HA "Salieri describes it as Mozart "taking dictation" from God. That's deep. Salieri Couldn't reach that height. Ever." The truly sad part of it is that the film shows very clearly and unambiguously that Mozart's genius came at a steep cost of his treatment as a child. ie being all but drowned in music ad infinitum for his fathers financial benefit. He never had a something approaching a proper childhood, so he never truly matured emotionally - leading in no small part to the asinine behavior that Salieri so detested (in the film anyway). All Salieri saw in Mozart's relationship with his father was a weakness to exploit, not the cost of suffering it in achieving his greatness as an artist. He saw Mozart exclusively as God's instrument - thereby denying him all the pain and suffering required to achieve his compositional capabilities.
@@mnomadvfx Yes. That's something the movie shows well - the difficult relationship Mozart had with his father. And also the subtle idea that Mozart was stuck being the child genius that made him known as a prodigy and gave him the fame that allowed him access to royalty and the money to help his family. But, as he gets older, he's not seen in the same way, so his fame and ability to make money diminishes while his talent grows. That's confusing for him. It's much like what happens to child stars and celebrities who find themselves unable to get work once they hit adolescence and adulthood. So, some of his childish behavior could be viewed as an attempt to be seen by royalty and nobles as the same naughty, gifted child prodigy they fawned over; as well as a way recapture the time he felt most successful and beloved. This can be another way to understand his father's, wife's, and in-laws' (and even Salieri's) frustration and disappointment in him. Remember, this is an era without social security for older people. As was normal then, his parents had hoped that his talent would lead to a better life for all of them. And being a good musician himself, his father knew Mozart's personality could keep him out of Court and other high positions, and lucrative patronages. It's a very difficult and sad situation that the film gives the audience to consider on multiple levels. That's what makes it great
"he is maturing" is one of the most accurate thing you said. Mozart is viewed as a genius, but his music is generally regarded as very linear and symmetrical. It's not necessary a bad thing, it's like looking at a perfect circle or a very round number. But he was only 35, and when you hear his Requiem, you suddenly realize he was maturing, achieving at a young age a Beethoven level of writing, magnificent, nervous and anxious music, that is no longer linear and "perfect" but is now touching every emotion humans have. Who knows what kind of music he would have written at 60 years old. What a shame
Although not considered as technically great as Mozart, I similar think it is a great loss that we couldn’t see a mature Chopin era or a mature Schubert era
@Jaime Flores Maybe he's referring to the fact that it was Classical? The Romantic Artmusik era wasn't far away from Mozart's death, so maybe he's referencing that Mozart was starting to go more in that direction toward the end? 9 years separated the Requiem from Beethoven Symphony No 1 after all.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Mozart has always been regarded as one of the most profound composers in existence 🤨 Not just late in his life … From his earliest years the people around him recognized the grandeur and playfulness in his music. It’s perfect, like a square- *but* that doesn’t mean he wasn’t touching every boundary of human emotion and expression. Come on now 🤡
@@SamanthaIreneYTube You're right, it wasn't far at all. Beethoven's career spanned from the Classical era when he was young, meeting Mozart as a young boy, to the Romantic era as an older man.
Easily one of the best movies of all time. People look at me weird when I've called this film a "perfect" film in the past and I'm glad I'm not crazy in having that opinion. It almost goes without saying this film has one of the best soundtracks of all time as well.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
You're not crazy. My trinity of greatest films is 2001, Mulholland Drive, and Amadeus. Of these, only Amadeus aims for the completely non-ironic tragic transcendent.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
@@FreedomFighter2112 You missed a lot of good movies that were made before 1970. I enjoy silent movies from the 1920's and movies from the 30's through the 50's. You can see the evolution of the art.
@@jenniferlloyd9574 Yeah we studied many of those movies in Film School. The films I list are the ones I grew up on, so that's why they are near and dear to my heart. Some of the older films that I saw later in life and really enjoyed were Witness for the Prosecution, Rear Window, Manchurian Candidate with Angela Lansbury, 2001 Space Odyssey, 8 1/2, Wizard of Oz, and a couple of others
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I remember watching this when it came out and my takeaway at the time was, "The person that hates him the most is the only one who really understands him (Mozart)".
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
The copyright duration of composed music is the same as for books, paintings and other literary and artistic works: the author's lifetime + 70 years. Therefore, the musical compositions of old masters like Beethoven (1770 - 1827) or Mozart (1756 - 1791) are all in the public domain and you can freely use them.
That applies to the original score, but the studio recordings also have their own copyrights, in this case the recordings by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields made for the movie.
That scene where Solieri is writing down Confutatis Maledictis (“consigned to flames of woe”) is the best representation of creativity in action put on film, imo. Musically at least. Never would’ve guessed I’d see this reaction video. Nice cut for TH-cam you hit all my favorite parts🙏
Milos Forman is a talented director. He even was able to get one of the surviving opera houses in Austria for the time period of the film. Instead of using electrical lighting (and also because the city doesn't want to destroy the original building), Forman used sensitive film and camera lenses to film the movie. So the scenes appear to be bright when really it's the camera and film that making look bright in a dark room. Fun side note, the city was so worried that the theater might burn down with that many candles that many of the extras in the audience are firefighters in costume!
@@clashfan2875 Sorry about that. Thank you for correcting me. Was remembering an old lecture from my professor in historical films and a TH-cam video on filming with high aperture lenses.
Well you were right about the fireman as extras and how worried they were about possible fire. The documentary is really fascinating I highly recommend it. 🙂
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I love Amadeus! I have seen it every year at least once. .. this is also the uncut full version. The theatrical version did not show Constanza going to see Salieri that night nor the dressing room scene when the singer confronts Mozart When F Murray Abraham won his Oscar, he stated it would only feel fair if Tom Hulce also won an Oscar right next to him. I remember watching it that year.
@@JamesVSCinema the director, Milos Forman, checked in with Tom Hulce daily to make sure he still had the laugh. Tom Hulce took the piano and harpsicord lessons every day for like 4 hours, even during production. The closest singer/composer by comparison in the modern era might be Prince who would just write music and has dozens of songs and videos that have not seen the light of day yet My favorite scene is when Salieri asks to be Mozart's hands and they put the final music piece together
@@Desertpuma That scene is proof, that you don't have to be historically accurate to make great scenes. Because it's all a complete fabrication. Salieri was never there and the orchestration they are working out together is also not Mozart's. The Confutatis only exists in rough sketch, all we hear in that scene being put together is what Süßmayer did with those drafts. But it doesn't matter one bit. Even as a giant made up "what if?" the scene remains perfect.
@@kingamoeboid3887 The numbers sound impressive but don't really stack up when you look closer. Prince played keyboards on the album. Except 'keyboard' translates to 9 different pieces of equipment. They all have the same skill set; they just produce different sound. He played 4 types of guitar, he played drums and he played percussion - I don't really consider 'finger snaps' and 'hand claps' to be 'learning an instrument'.
"He can't even give himself the blessing of having a genuine moment with somebody he admires, truthfully. That's the only real thing that is there--is his admiration for Mozart. And it's twisted. And it's genuine." That is some damn fine on-the-fly film criticism right there sir.
The problem was that Salieri was a truly great composer who was unlucky to live in a time and proximity where he was forced to compete with a brilliant genius. How many great performers, artists, writers are suddenly undone, and eclipsed and forgotten because some brilliant person walks in and changes the game. This is what this movie is all about. A lot of the film was true though. Just the Salieri motivation is not absoulute.
Right, the conflict between Salieri and Mozart never existed in reality. It’s a clever tool to tell the story of Mozart though, through the eyes of someone else who knew to truly appreciate his genius. Makes for a great movie. The part about Mozart being plagued by debt and never really getting ahead financially is true though.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
The other great, overlooked film of Formans' was "Ragtime", James Cagney's last film (he was like 80), came out of retirement to work with Forman. Just realized that Forman has 3 films in my top ten... that should say something.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Damn James; hitting it out of the park. This movie is a masterpiece. I think it's the second movie that I recall making me cry. So damn good. F Murray Abraham is shockingly good.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
@@myplan8166 Says the loner with no video content or subscribers...lol... now look at my profile and videos. I have more friends and brothers than you'lll ever have.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this film in '86, and it has remained in my top 3 films ever since. It's cool how you picked up on the music right away, because Milos and Peter had talked about how they set out to make the music a character in the film. You should watch the making of this movie. There are some great stories there.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Over the course of the evening, as it was becoming quite evident to everyone watching that Amadeus was going to make a clean sweep at the Oscars, I can't remember who or for what, but whoever won for best original soundtrack that year started their acceptance speech with "I'd like to thank Mozart for not being alive today...". Big applause and laughter followed. SO glad you, specifically YOU, James, finally got to this gem. A perfect combo watch I've been waiting for (amongst others, lol).
At the same year there was Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America which was snubbed by the Academy. Probably it was the best Morricone original score.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
It makes me very happy that you discovered and appreciated this film. AMADEUS is without question a masterpiece. It won 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director for Milos Forman, and Best Actor for F.Murray Abraham. Milos also directed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest which won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Milos Foreman is actually considered one of the greatest filmmakers ever. I hope you aspire to make films this good. Milos was a professor of mine in film school. He was one of smartest, most humorous, insightful, and generous people I could ever hope to meet. He talked alot about how to get great performances out actors. He liked to rehearse. He stressed the importance of understanding the emotion behind every word and action, and the proper emotion assigned to every camera set-up. Actors and cinematographers loved working with him. He also stressed the importance of leading a broad life of experiences, while paying attention to being a good person, being sensitive and aware of passion and suffering. This was the surest way of becoming a great artist. He was not a fan of CGI. Best of luck to you in your filmmaking pursuits.
Wow! How lucky you are to have learned from such a master filmmaker!! Thank you for sharing his insight on the importance of emotion and how it related to his shots. I do think filmmaking like this is lacking quite a bit these days. So many people don't care of the craft of the story.
13:44 You nailed it, James! The fact that Salieri can hear the music on the page in his head and recognise the beauty and the genius of it only serves to fuel the deepening hatred and envy he harbours for Mozart.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Really glad you did a reaction to this masterpiece. And you're right, that scene where Mozart is dictating to Salieri is such an incredible scene, there's nothing like it in any other movie.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
THANK GOD you watched the full length Director's cut. The theatrical cut omitted the scene where Mozart's wife visits Salieri after his indecent proposal, the scene where he humiliates her. It was an unfortunate cut that left audiences feeling underwhelmed by her character. It also left a major plot hole. Why is she so indignant towards Salieri at the end? DUH, cause he treated her like garbage. As you astutely pointed out at the end of the film and during your analysis, Salieri's downfall really occurred when he screwed with Mozart's wife. What's even more unfortunate is that when this cut was released for home video, it was given a limited theatrical run again, but the fucking censors gave it an R rating because... boobies. Boobies = not safe for kids. This meant school kids couldn't go on a class trip and watch this film in the theater where it belongs. It also meant kids couldn't learn a valuable lesson not to objectify and humiliate people for personal gain. This is the sort of film that should screen every ten years or so at the minimum so new generations can discover it. It's a masterpiece.
I grew up watching the theatrical version and didn’t know there was an uncut version until a few years ago. When I finally did see it his wife’s anger at Salieri made ALOT more sense to me. There were also more scenes of Salieri destroying Mozart’s reputation that surprised me, I thought of my god his did soooo much more damage than I thought 😳😳😳
Fortunately Leonardo Da Vinci managed to live to the ripe old age of 67 which is good going for 1519. He might have lived longer if they were knowledgeable of how to deal with a stroke (what it’s thought he died of).
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
The scene of Salieri writing down Mozarts music is usually the scene that comes first to my mind when asked about my favourite scene in a movie. It just touches me in so many ways. Saw it first time when I was 10, and love it even more 25 years later
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Did this as a film study in my English class at high school. It left a huge mark on me that film is an art form. Pretty heavy stuff for a 13 year old to try to understand, but it is thanks to this movie that I have the appreciation that I do for film today. I love your content, you have incredible insight for such a young guy. Hope you and yours have an amazing Xmas.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this movie in 1984 when it was released in theaters. I immediately love this movie. The acting, the costumes, and the sets were incredible. It was based on a play by playwright Peter Schaffer. The one thing they added to the film that was not in the original play was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's and Antonio Salieri's music. This added another character to the film that gives the viewer what these two men contributed to classical music. The play and this movie is not accurate in the historical sense of these two men, but Salieri did say towards the end of his life that he had poisoned Mozart. Yet, I don't believe that was true. Many historians believe that Mozart died from improperly cooked pork based on the symptoms from Constanze Mozart's letters. The last piece he had almost completed was the "Requiem Mass in C Minor," but one of his pupils was able to finish the rest of the mass based on notes from Mozart. We will never know what Wolfgang Mozart would have done to that incredible piece of music if he had enough time before his untimely death at age 35. I have seen many of his operas here in my hometown of Seattle, and I like "The Marriage of Figaro" and "The Magic Flute." I also like his comedic opera called "Cosi fan Tutti" or "What women always do." It's amazing that in Mozart's short life, he had written over 800 pieces of music. His father, Leopold Mozart, taught him how to play piano and the violin as well as how to write music down on paper at age 4. Wolfgang's own sister, Nannerl Mozart, was also a child prodigy when it came to music. Both of them toured Europe to earn money for the family. Recently, a lost piano piece of music written by Wolfgang was found in someone's attic. There are probably more pieces of his music that are lost forever due to mismanagement and carelessness. Wolfgang had an incredible memory for music. He could go to any concert once, and he could write down the whole piece verbatim without any mistakes. I believe he heard the music in his head before he intended to write it down. Mozart was an amazing composer, and anyone can enjoy hearing it or playing his pieces with any instrument.
Straight up, this is my personal number 1 film of all time ever since I saw it in music class in 5th grade. I hope to live long enough to see a movie that could displace it. It's funny that when you genuinely love film, it becomes incredibly difficult to place movies in any kind of order of quality such as within a top 10, especially when there's an unexplainable urge to make your "favorite" films something obscure, bizarre, and unique. Amadeus has become the film that is EASIEST for me to say is my number 1. Glad you enjoyed this one.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Went to see this movie in a concert where an orchestra were doing the score live. It was amazing. The scene where Salieri reads Mozart's music sheet and it changes from piece to piece is quite mesmerizing done by a live orchestra
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Oh my god, your review of this masterpiece was the best ever reaction I have seen, and thank you. You totally appreciated every scene, every nuance, incredible editing, the emotions and character studies, the epic music and well, I could go on forever, but, BRAVO! This film knocked me out when I saw it in the theater in 1984 as a teenager, and it still stands the test of time. One of the best movies ever made. New subscriber and thanks again James.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
One of my favorite movies of all time. It's great to listen to someone reacting that doesn't say DUMB things every second. 🤣 You are so insightful and interesting to listen to how you express all you see. Thank you. Merry Christmas from Europe💥💥💥
*Oh man this movie.* I grew up on Mozart's music - my parents even took me to children's versions of his operas and then bought me the casette tapes of the songs, so to this day I know every second of Don Giovanni by heart (albeit with much more innocent lyrics). I first saw this movie when I was a child as well, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Salieri's frustration, the music, *the drama* - I got completely swept up in it. My favourite Don Giovanni part had always been the part where the ghost shows up at the end and takes Don Giovanni to hell, so you can imagine the chills I felt seeing it on screen. Even though some parts of the script obviously went over my head because of my age, it still affected me enormously. (I was obsessed with Dante's Inferno and the story of Odysseus as well. I was a strange and slightly morbid child - what can I say.)
Remember witnessing this opening night. The silence at the end was absolutely deafening. No one breathed. No one moved. You could barely even hear the tears. Just a masterpiece of cinema.
My favorite film of all time. The music is so front and center, almost as if the movie was written as an embellishment of Mozart's music. I loved watching this video, and to see someone grab from this movie aspects that I feel a lot of people don't get, but that hit me as well. The ending is a masterpiece, but the fact that Mozart's music served as the score to his own movie, it's brilliance.
James, thank you for such a brilliant video. I love this movie, I saw this movie at the movie theater when it was first released and have since bought the Blu-ray DVD. I had the soundtrack on cassette tape, vinyl, and CD. Your observations on this film were the same things I felt when I saw this movie. I am not ashamed to say that some parts of this video moved me to tears. You felt pretty much the way I felt when watching this. I totally resonated with your commentary. I thought I was alone in the universe. I know I am late to the party because you made this video two years ago, but I am so glad I found you, I am subscribed. Thanks for your poignant insights. Job well done. 💯💯
"Pettiness is what destroys civilizations, I'm starting to see." No joke, as someone with an actual degree on the subject, that is not a bad take. The personal sleights of people with power turning into literal genocides is stunning. You should read about the civil war between Marius and Sulla in Rome (the Civil War that happened when Juilius Caesar was a very young man) and everything that led up to it. "The Storm Before The Storm" (even better as an audio book) goes into it very well, but it is one sleight after another , escalating over and over, until there was blood in the streets, which led to war, which led to genocide. It's insane.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I sang Mozart's Requiem (the piece they are writing at the end) when I was around 17. Mozart did die before completing it and another composer finished it off. The last few movements are basically reworking of some of the earlier ones, so it is still really Mozart's music. But, who knows how it would have ended if he hadn't died. It is an amazing piece of music, if you haven't heard it, I highly recommend it.
I, too, sang the Requiem 10 years ago, at Lincoln Center in New York. An amazing piece to be able to perform. Looking at my score, Sussmayr (a pupil of Mozart) completed the Lacrymosa (bars 1-8 partially done by Mozart), and composed the Sanctus, Benedictus, and the Agnus Dei up to the Lux aeterna, which from there to the end is a repeat of what Mozart composed in the first movement.
Just wait til your patrons - me being one of them ;) - vote for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). Its the other highly regarded American film that Czech-born director Milos Forman made and it contains probably Jack Nicholson's best performance. It was also adapted from a novel written by Ken Kesey, who was heavily involved in the Merry Pranksters crew in San Francisco in the '60s who staged the notorious acid tests in the area to promote the use of LSD, which was also a jumping off point that began the Grateful Dead. ...also, Milos did some highly regarded films in Czechoslovakia in the '60s called Loves of a Blonde and The Fireman's Ball. The Czech New Wave is a film scene that was pretty groundbreaking.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
Seeing this movie as a child on a field trip was what made me fall in love with movies (and intensified my love of great music). I feel so bad that you didn’t know that Mozart’s music is in the public domain so you could have included it. The movie uses his works to an unparalleled effect. The writing of the requiem, the first discovery of Mozart’s music by Salieri before he ever meets Mozart is so beautiful; an education. This film is masterful. I’m so glad you discovered it.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
A few years before the movie came out, I saw the play version of "Amadeus" on tour in San Francisco with Mark Hammill as Mozart. I also saw this movie during its original theatrical release. This is one of my favorite movies. I love the use of music throughout.
My favorite film of 1981 (after Raiders of the Lost Ark) was another Forman film, Ragtime, featuring James Cagney's comeback and final film performance, and Howard Rollins' Best Supporting Actor nominated role. In one of the biggest criminal heists in Oscars history, Ragtime was not even nominated for Best Picture.
The composition scene before his death has always been one of the most powerful scenes for me. Everything about this film is absolutely astounding. They capture the hideousness of jealousy in a relatable way. The casting was phenomenal. This movie is unforgettable.
The editing is excellent, and though the film won 8 Oscars, surprisingly Best Editing wasn't one of them. It was nominated - a nomination shared by Nena Danevic and Michael Chandler - but it lost to The Killing Fields (Jim Clark), an excellent film in its own right.
There are VERY few movies that leave me awe-struck (definitely less than 10 out of hundreds)... Amadeus is in that select group. It's not just a movie, it's a FILM. Everything was on point and everyone involved brought their A-game.
James - This is a favorite film of mine and I really enjoyed re-watching it with you. I really appreciate that you really appreciate the music and the filmmaking involved in this work. Well done!
One of my all time favorite movies. The music, the costumes, the sets, the cinematography, the editing, the brilliant acting. It sweeps me away every time I watch it. Transcendent.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
James, very few people understand the multiple layers of this film. You did. That's why I so effing love your channel. Take care, and Merry X-Mas to you!
I unintentionally watched this the week before my Women in Music class watched "Don Giovanni" and it got me so hyped to watch it. Although it's not completely accurate, I adore "Amadeus" because of the way it humanizes these famous people who have risen to near legend status. I love how Milos Forman ends it by showing the issues with old asylums, especially since he did "Cuckoo's Nest". I didn't watch the director's cut of this, which I believe is the version you watched. I
This is one of my favourite films of all time. I am a huge Milos Forman fan and the 1st film of his I saw was 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' at 14, then saw 'The People Vs Larry Flynt' at 16 but when I was 17 is when I saw 'Amadeus' and that was the film that made me want to truly get into film making as a Mozart fan. Over time I managed to catch special screenings at cinemas and special events. Milos Forman also made another great film called 'Ragtime' which is up there for me as well. His Czech films are worth checking out also. I hope this film is discovered more in today's world but thank you for a great reaction as always and just to see an artist like you truly appreciate every aspect of this film I hope those who haven't seen the movie go and check it out.
The Duality of Salieri, both loving and hating Mozart more than anyone ever did.... the acting, the music, the costumes, the cinematography. Best Movie Ever Made..... nothing to add.
Oh man!! I’m so excited that you’re seeing Amedeus for the first time- one of my favorite movies with my favorite reactor on TH-cam? 😁😁😁 “Amadeus” is definitely a masterpiece. F. Murray Abraham is brilliant. Actors, script, (music needless to say) , costumes, lighting is beautiful). So happy to see you discover this movie!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
While Amadeus is a more artful and beautiful film, I'd also recommend Immortal Beloved, a really good movie about Beethoven's latter days (with Gary Oldman as Beethoven).
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this movie back when it came out and I immediately knew it was brilliant, even though I was only in high school. In real life, Mozart died in debt and was buried in a pauper's grave, so the burial scene is fairly accurate. However, Salieri took care of Mozart's wife financially after Mozart's death. Interestingly enough, Salieri's works were largely forgotten in the 19th and 20th centuries and it was this movie that made people seek Salieri out again and revived his music.
AMADEUS is one of my favorite films. I remember seeing this movie when it was released and being wowed. This movie made me dive into Mozart's music. I re-watch this movie every once in a while to be reminded of its genius. I'm so glad you were affected by it like I was.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time.... #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this movie in the theatre when it debuted. Back in the day when there were no multiplexes. One big grand theater with the red velvet curtains. I was about 18. It has been one of my very favorite movies ever since. So glad to see it's getting the attention and recognition it deserves. It definitely has stood the test of time. Love that you enjoyed it.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time.... #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
This movie is a masterpiece. It won a boat load of Oscars, including Best Picture. But to think that this is likely not even the best movie that Milos Forman has directed is crazy. Check out One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Jack Nicholson put on an acting clinic.
Top 10 film for me for sure! Absolutely beautiful film. There is a "Making of" documentary that comes with the "Directors Cut" that I highly recommend.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time: #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
My Greatest Movies of All-Time.... #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
i had to run over and watch this reaction after watching your Godfather one. im sure ive seen this already but i love it when you show incredible appreciation for films. tonight ill watch your Big Trouble in Little China reaction, make it a 3-fer sunday.. thanks, james !!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time.... #1 - Amadeus #2 - The Color Purple #3 - Schindler’s List #4 - Shawshank Redemption #5 - Pulp Fiction #6 - Goodfellas #7 - Saving Private Ryan #8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest #9 - Hair #10 - Field of Dreams
I’d also like to add this:
Though this film is more about Salieri descent into madness, this is also the very same with Mozart’s story. Albeit, influenced by Salieri scheming and plotting behind his back..however Mozart’s strive for greatness is the very same illness that Salieri wielded. Both were the villains in their own story. Mozart was spared the eternal suffering and longing. Finally being able to release. While Salieri made it his entire identity. A lesson to take from this, at least to me, is the pendulum of dancing with these desires. To drive the self as far as you can, without going off the edge. That balance is worth noting, seeing how in this film both went off the edge and into the state of madness. An extreme that both were capable of from the very beginning. Obsession and Passion.
Damn, James. Please tell me you write film essays for a living.
Stay tuned. The New Year will be bringing forth some cool video essays! Excited to create them!
@@JamesVSCinema Yes! Happy New Year, James.
WhatUp James. I also LOVE OPERA!!! ... Would be dope to catch up an opera at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC. I invite friends all the time!! BTW: His REQUIEM was completed by one of his students, Franz Xaver Süssmayr.
If you dig _Amadeus_ and _Barry Lyndon,_ you need to see Ridley Scott's 1977 masterpiece _The Duellists._
It's interesting that you noted Mozart's laugh reminding you of The Joker. Mark Hamill played Mozart in a stage production of Amadeus in the 1980's. he learnt to do a musical laugh as part of the character. Several years later he was able to use that musical laughter to get the role of The Joker on Batman the Animated series.
That’s perfect oh my god.
I got to see Hamill in that production. A family friend was onstage as a servant (and some other non speaking parts) and took me to meet him backstage.
Really nice guy, asked me what I liked about the play, gave a starstruck kid his time and attention.
Forever fan of this channel
@@fatherfletch That is fantastic. I always wondered what Hamill's version of Mozart's laugh sounded like!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
@@JamesVSCinema I believe Mark Hamill was under consideration to play Mozart in the film, but Hulce got the part because of Hamill being known as Luke Skywalker.
This film won 8 academy awards- including best picture. Earned them all.
Fun fact I recently learned: For the death bed scene none of the actors knew each other's lines. Each of them were given an earpiece and musicians dictated terms to the actors and it was done on the fly. That moment of Salieri's frustration of not keeping up then getting it is the actor getting lost then getting back on track with the scene. What talent!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
It's a perfect moment though because it more than anything else demonstrates the true gulf in ability between Salieri and Mozart. Salieri is an accomplished musician and is talented enough to see the beauty of Mozart's work, but when he comes face to face with the actual composition process Mozart is so far ahead of him (and everyone else) that he struggles to understand what he's trying to do until it's spelled out for him.
One of the best scenes in history of film
The scene that always gets me is when Salieri reveals his big plan, and the expression on the priest's face is just one of abject horror at the monstrosity of Salieri's blasphemy. He wants to kill Mozart and by doing so humble God himself. Such powerful acting.
Considering Lucifer is often referred to as the 'great deceiver' Salieri seems to be pushing himself into that role during the course of his descent.
The ego on this man is unbelievable that god is doing things just to mess with him!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
@@FreedomFighter2112 correction: your 10 favorite HOLLYWOOD movies of all time
F. Murray Abraham gives the performance of a lifetime. Love how this still follows him into Last Action Hero. "Don't trust that guy, he killed Mozart"
Tickled to know that kid had seen Amadeus haha
@@fmellish71 to be fair, i saw Amadeus for the first time around that age too (like 13 or 14-ish lol).
I was absolutely mesmerized by it and wore that VHS tape out haha.
Still one of my favorite movies ever made.
@@Itstwofourteen Almost the same story for me with the curious 13-year old getting the VHS from the library. I was determined to watch all of the AFI Top 100 list at the time since I first saw the TNT special home sick from school one day.
Moe who?...
Zart!
"Rubber, Baby Buggy Bumpers!"
that death bed scene, how Salieri still wants that last masterpiece out of Mozart even if he hates him because the music is too good, perfection
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
@@FreedomFighter2112 No FodGather?
He also wants it because he's desperate for it to be finished. Only by being finished and taking it with him can his plan to take credit for it work. Mozart died too early (and Constanze arrived too early) for this to happen, meaning his attempt failed and he got nothing.
I saw this theatrically when I was in high school for a band class field trip. As a 16 year old metal head I thought it would be as entertaining as a root canal. I don’t think I was ever more wrong about a movie, it’s a masterpiece on every level.👍😂
Mozart was Metal two hundred years before Metal was a thing. 🤟
Had a similar experience, only I was 13 lol
@@alistairclifton1286 12 for me. It's been in my top 5 films since
@@calipidgious it's a phenomenal piece of work.
When you consider metal has classical roots .. heheh
The director Milo's Forman, also made "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" it is the second of only 3 films in history to win the top 5 academy awards, if you haven't seen it, it should shoot to the top of your must watch list.
Cuckoo's Nest, Silence of the Lambs and It Happened One Night
@@fmellish71 Jonathan Demme made Silence of the lambs, but the rest of Milos Forman movies are great, he's one of the greats, kinda underrated
@@JulioLeonFandinho That's right and Frank Capra made It Happened One Night...also a timeless classic. Loves of a Blonde and The Fireman's Ball are also great Milos Forman films
@@fmellish71 "The Fireman's Ball" and "Loves Of A Blonde" are fantastic Milos Forman films. As for his American films, definitely "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest", and also "Ragtime" is excellent.
@@TTM9691 Heck yeah they are. I'd even throw The People vs. Larry Flint on that list of goodies
Your take on Salieri's character is spot on and one of the most illuminating I've ever heard. The man is a good man and a competent artist who corrupts his soul and his life and his career with pettiness and competition when friendship and connection were at his fingertips.
1000% this film is DEEP and I love it for that. A beautiful character study of Obsession and Passion.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Imagine how different Salieri's life would have been if he had embraced Mozart and mentored him. It all makes me so sad.
There's a lot of dramatization obviously, Salieri did not kill Mozart, and they were reportedly friends and had mutual respect for each other, but so much of the characterization and stories in this movie are accurate, when you look at letters written by Mozart and also how people of the time characterized Mozart himself.
I think both men would’ve appreciated it. They’re dramatists, they know what good stories demand.
I might be wrong, but I seem to remember that Salieri was a big promoter of Mozarts legacy with his numerous and influential students.
It's been a long time, so more history between the two has likely been uncovered. But, back in the day, it was thought that Salieri knew Mozart, though not well. And that he didn't hurt him or his career. He didn't help him, either.
When I first saw this movie, it was so clear that the character of Salieri was good enough to enjoy the high post he had in Joseph's court. However, his envy and jealousy were about Mozart's genius. He knew enough to understand that he himself was Good. But, Mozart, as "God's favorite,' was on a completely unique level. Salieri describes it as Mozart "taking dictation" from God. That's deep. Salieri Couldn't reach that height. Ever.
I'm an educational researcher. Believe me. Gifted. Is. Incredibly. Different. Even mildly gifted people are very separate from the "average" human, nevermind the Exceptionally Gifted. That's why many people want to shut down Gifted Education programs in American schools. A few talented Salieris. A Rare number of Mozarts. A whole lot of Josephs. haha.
To me, in the movie, Salieri could've connected with both God and Mozart if he would have become a mentor, patron, and friend. His name would have been connected to arguably The Greatest composer, musician, and artist ever born.
I'll have to see this extended version some time. I read the original script, but only saw the theatrical version.
Really interesting reaction. Thank you
@@LA_HA "Salieri describes it as Mozart "taking dictation" from God. That's deep. Salieri Couldn't reach that height. Ever."
The truly sad part of it is that the film shows very clearly and unambiguously that Mozart's genius came at a steep cost of his treatment as a child.
ie being all but drowned in music ad infinitum for his fathers financial benefit.
He never had a something approaching a proper childhood, so he never truly matured emotionally - leading in no small part to the asinine behavior that Salieri so detested (in the film anyway).
All Salieri saw in Mozart's relationship with his father was a weakness to exploit, not the cost of suffering it in achieving his greatness as an artist.
He saw Mozart exclusively as God's instrument - thereby denying him all the pain and suffering required to achieve his compositional capabilities.
@@mnomadvfx Yes. That's something the movie shows well - the difficult relationship Mozart had with his father. And also the subtle idea that Mozart was stuck being the child genius that made him known as a prodigy and gave him the fame that allowed him access to royalty and the money to help his family.
But, as he gets older, he's not seen in the same way, so his fame and ability to make money diminishes while his talent grows. That's confusing for him. It's much like what happens to child stars and celebrities who find themselves unable to get work once they hit adolescence and adulthood.
So, some of his childish behavior could be viewed as an attempt to be seen by royalty and nobles as the same naughty, gifted child prodigy they fawned over; as well as a way recapture the time he felt most successful and beloved.
This can be another way to understand his father's, wife's, and in-laws' (and even Salieri's) frustration and disappointment in him. Remember, this is an era without social security for older people. As was normal then, his parents had hoped that his talent would lead to a better life for all of them.
And being a good musician himself, his father knew Mozart's personality could keep him out of Court and other high positions, and lucrative patronages.
It's a very difficult and sad situation that the film gives the audience to consider on multiple levels. That's what makes it great
"he is maturing" is one of the most accurate thing you said. Mozart is viewed as a genius, but his music is generally regarded as very linear and symmetrical. It's not necessary a bad thing, it's like looking at a perfect circle or a very round number. But he was only 35, and when you hear his Requiem, you suddenly realize he was maturing, achieving at a young age a Beethoven level of writing, magnificent, nervous and anxious music, that is no longer linear and "perfect" but is now touching every emotion humans have. Who knows what kind of music he would have written at 60 years old. What a shame
Although not considered as technically great as Mozart, I similar think it is a great loss that we couldn’t see a mature Chopin era or a mature Schubert era
@Jaime Flores Maybe he's referring to the fact that it was Classical? The Romantic Artmusik era wasn't far away from Mozart's death, so maybe he's referencing that Mozart was starting to go more in that direction toward the end? 9 years separated the Requiem from Beethoven Symphony No 1 after all.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Mozart has always been regarded as one of the most profound composers in existence 🤨 Not just late in his life … From his earliest years the people around him recognized the grandeur and playfulness in his music. It’s perfect, like a square- *but* that doesn’t mean he wasn’t touching every boundary of human emotion and expression. Come on now 🤡
@@SamanthaIreneYTube You're right, it wasn't far at all. Beethoven's career spanned from the Classical era when he was young, meeting Mozart as a young boy, to the Romantic era as an older man.
Easily one of the best movies of all time. People look at me weird when I've called this film a "perfect" film in the past and I'm glad I'm not crazy in having that opinion. It almost goes without saying this film has one of the best soundtracks of all time as well.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
You're not crazy. My trinity of greatest films is 2001, Mulholland Drive, and Amadeus. Of these, only Amadeus aims for the completely non-ironic tragic transcendent.
They even filmed in the same theatre where Mozart's Don Giovanni was first played. Imagine to portray, to stand where he stood. Amazing.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
The old ghosts in the theater must have perked up noticing the period clothing.
@@FreedomFighter2112 You missed a lot of good movies that were made before 1970. I enjoy silent movies from the 1920's and movies from the 30's through the 50's. You can see the evolution of the art.
@@jenniferlloyd9574 Yeah we studied many of those movies in Film School. The films I list are the ones I grew up on, so that's why they are near and dear to my heart. Some of the older films that I saw later in life and really enjoyed were Witness for the Prosecution, Rear Window, Manchurian Candidate with Angela Lansbury, 2001 Space Odyssey, 8 1/2, Wizard of Oz, and a couple of others
It was a huge fire hazard - can you imagine filming on location in a tinder box of a theatre with no modern safety protocols?
One of my all time favorite movies. It's a criminally under-appreciated masterpiece. Thank you for reacting to it.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I remember watching this when it came out and my takeaway at the time was, "The person that hates him the most is the only one who really understands him (Mozart)".
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
The copyright duration of composed music is the same as for books, paintings and other literary and artistic works: the author's lifetime + 70 years. Therefore, the musical compositions of old masters like Beethoven (1770 - 1827) or Mozart (1756 - 1791) are all in the public domain and you can freely use them.
Yup, copyright should be no problem.
That applies to the original score, but the studio recordings also have their own copyrights, in this case the recordings by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields made for the movie.
It's not the music that is the problem. It's the recordings.
I'm not worried. As I improve on the originals the copyrights pass to me.
That just applies to the original score. Every particular performance is still subject to copywrite.
That scene where Solieri is writing down Confutatis Maledictis (“consigned to flames of woe”) is the best representation of creativity in action put on film, imo. Musically at least.
Never would’ve guessed I’d see this reaction video. Nice cut for TH-cam you hit all my favorite parts🙏
Milos Forman is a talented director. He even was able to get one of the surviving opera houses in Austria for the time period of the film. Instead of using electrical lighting (and also because the city doesn't want to destroy the original building), Forman used sensitive film and camera lenses to film the movie. So the scenes appear to be bright when really it's the camera and film that making look bright in a dark room. Fun side note, the city was so worried that the theater might burn down with that many candles that many of the extras in the audience are firefighters in costume!
This film was shot in Prague. The Opera house they used is one that Mozart actually conducted in. There is a whole documentary on this film.
@@clashfan2875 Sorry about that. Thank you for correcting me. Was remembering an old lecture from my professor in historical films and a TH-cam video on filming with high aperture lenses.
Well you were right about the fireman as extras and how worried they were about possible fire. The documentary is really fascinating I highly recommend it. 🙂
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I love Amadeus! I have seen it every year at least once. .. this is also the uncut full version. The theatrical version did not show Constanza going to see Salieri that night nor the dressing room scene when the singer confronts Mozart
When F Murray Abraham won his Oscar, he stated it would only feel fair if Tom Hulce also won an Oscar right next to him. I remember watching it that year.
Wow, that’s beautiful.
@@JamesVSCinema the director, Milos Forman, checked in with Tom Hulce daily to make sure he still had the laugh. Tom Hulce took the piano and harpsicord lessons every day for like 4 hours, even during production.
The closest singer/composer by comparison in the modern era might be Prince who would just write music and has dozens of songs and videos that have not seen the light of day yet
My favorite scene is when Salieri asks to be Mozart's hands and they put the final music piece together
@@Desertpuma Prince’s debut For You had 27 different instruments and he played every single one of them. And he was 19-20 when he made it.
@@Desertpuma That scene is proof, that you don't have to be historically accurate to make great scenes.
Because it's all a complete fabrication.
Salieri was never there and the orchestration they are working out together is also not Mozart's.
The Confutatis only exists in rough sketch, all we hear in that scene being put together is what Süßmayer did with those drafts.
But it doesn't matter one bit.
Even as a giant made up "what if?" the scene remains perfect.
@@kingamoeboid3887 The numbers sound impressive but don't really stack up when you look closer. Prince played keyboards on the album. Except 'keyboard' translates to 9 different pieces of equipment. They all have the same skill set; they just produce different sound. He played 4 types of guitar, he played drums and he played percussion - I don't really consider 'finger snaps' and 'hand claps' to be 'learning an instrument'.
"He can't even give himself the blessing of having a genuine moment with somebody he admires, truthfully. That's the only real thing that is there--is his admiration for Mozart. And it's twisted. And it's genuine."
That is some damn fine on-the-fly film criticism right there sir.
The problem was that Salieri was a truly great composer who was unlucky to live in a time and proximity where he was forced to compete with a brilliant genius. How many great performers, artists, writers are suddenly undone, and eclipsed and forgotten because some brilliant person walks in and changes the game. This is what this movie is all about. A lot of the film was true though. Just the Salieri motivation is not absoulute.
Right, the conflict between Salieri and Mozart never existed in reality. It’s a clever tool to tell the story of Mozart though, through the eyes of someone else who knew to truly appreciate his genius. Makes for a great movie.
The part about Mozart being plagued by debt and never really getting ahead financially is true though.
The film overplays that Salieri is forgotten. He's not. I learned some of his repertoire in music school.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
The acting in this film is incredible. Salieri watching Don Giovanni might be a top 10 scene of all time.
Ahem
🎶 🎵
_DOOOOOOONN GIO-VAAAAAAAANII_
🎵 🎶
Thank you thank you
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
The other great, overlooked film of Formans' was "Ragtime", James Cagney's last film (he was like 80), came out of retirement to work with Forman. Just realized that Forman has 3 films in my top ten... that should say something.
I've really been wanting to watch Ragtime. It looks excellent! 😎👍
Ragtime is really really interesting. Another great one is his film of the musical Hair - also with choreography by Twyla Tharp
There is also an amazing soundtrack to that film.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Earning 10 oscars with two movies should give a hint about milos forman.
Damn James; hitting it out of the park. This movie is a masterpiece. I think it's the second movie that I recall making me cry. So damn good. F Murray Abraham is shockingly good.
Right!? His acting shook my core.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
@@FreedomFighter2112 yeah, now we know. Btw, keep looking for some friends.
@@myplan8166 Says the loner with no video content or subscribers...lol... now look at my profile and videos. I have more friends and brothers than you'lll ever have.
@@JamesVSCinema Those baleful looks. . .
This was a reaction worthy of the film itself. Impassioned, cerebral, and with a clear understanding of cinema and music.👏🏽
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this film in '86, and it has remained in my top 3 films ever since. It's cool how you picked up on the music right away, because Milos and Peter had talked about how they set out to make the music a character in the film. You should watch the making of this movie. There are some great stories there.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Over the course of the evening, as it was becoming quite evident to everyone watching that Amadeus was going to make a clean sweep at the Oscars, I can't remember who or for what, but whoever won for best original soundtrack that year started their acceptance speech with "I'd like to thank Mozart for not being alive today...". Big applause and laughter followed.
SO glad you, specifically YOU, James, finally got to this gem. A perfect combo watch I've been waiting for (amongst others, lol).
Cheers! This was indeed, a worthy chef kiss.
At the same year there was Sergio Leone's Once Upon a Time in America which was snubbed by the Academy. Probably it was the best Morricone original score.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
It makes me very happy that you discovered and appreciated this film. AMADEUS is without question a masterpiece. It won 8 Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director for Milos Forman, and Best Actor for F.Murray Abraham. Milos also directed One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest which won 5 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director. Milos Foreman is actually considered one of the greatest filmmakers ever. I hope you aspire to make films this good. Milos was a professor of mine in film school. He was one of smartest, most humorous, insightful, and generous people I could ever hope to meet. He talked alot about how to get great performances out actors. He liked to rehearse. He stressed the importance of understanding the emotion behind every word and action, and the proper emotion assigned to every camera set-up. Actors and cinematographers loved working with him. He also stressed the importance of leading a broad life of experiences, while paying attention to being a good person, being sensitive and aware of passion and suffering. This was the surest way of becoming a great artist. He was not a fan of CGI. Best of luck to you in your filmmaking pursuits.
Wow! How lucky you are to have learned from such a master filmmaker!! Thank you for sharing his insight on the importance of emotion and how it related to his shots. I do think filmmaking like this is lacking quite a bit these days. So many people don't care of the craft of the story.
13:44 You nailed it, James! The fact that Salieri can hear the music on the page in his head and recognise the beauty and the genius of it only serves to fuel the deepening hatred and envy he harbours for Mozart.
I am so happy you reacted this film! This film made me appreciate Mozart's music then before.
Same here and Salieri!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I love hoe Mozart was played as a balls to to wall,1980's Rock Star, and actor playing looked like he was having blast.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Some of our (Czech) gifts to the world are: Pilsner beer, defenestration, war wagons, Kafka, contact lenses, public transport and Miloš
…mechanical pencils, sugar cubes, blood typing, fingerprint
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
This film deserves all the praise it gets. It’s worth a rewatch every few years.
Really glad you did a reaction to this masterpiece. And you're right, that scene where Mozart is dictating to Salieri is such an incredible scene, there's nothing like it in any other movie.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
THANK GOD you watched the full length Director's cut. The theatrical cut omitted the scene where Mozart's wife visits Salieri after his indecent proposal, the scene where he humiliates her. It was an unfortunate cut that left audiences feeling underwhelmed by her character. It also left a major plot hole. Why is she so indignant towards Salieri at the end? DUH, cause he treated her like garbage. As you astutely pointed out at the end of the film and during your analysis, Salieri's downfall really occurred when he screwed with Mozart's wife. What's even more unfortunate is that when this cut was released for home video, it was given a limited theatrical run again, but the fucking censors gave it an R rating because... boobies. Boobies = not safe for kids. This meant school kids couldn't go on a class trip and watch this film in the theater where it belongs. It also meant kids couldn't learn a valuable lesson not to objectify and humiliate people for personal gain. This is the sort of film that should screen every ten years or so at the minimum so new generations can discover it. It's a masterpiece.
Oh snap really???
I grew up watching the theatrical version and didn’t know there was an uncut version until a few years ago. When I finally did see it his wife’s anger at Salieri made ALOT more sense to me. There were also more scenes of Salieri destroying Mozart’s reputation that surprised me, I thought of my god his did soooo much more damage than I thought 😳😳😳
Honestly apart from that one scene I think the Director's Cut ruins the flow of the movie considerably.
@@dosnostalgic how so?
Wait, WHAT?? That scene was omitted????
Mozart's early death was such a tragedy. To think of all the amazing music that could have existed if he had lived to the age of 80.
Gotta enjoy greatness where you can get it.
Fortunately Leonardo Da Vinci managed to live to the ripe old age of 67 which is good going for 1519. He might have lived longer if they were knowledgeable of how to deal with a stroke (what it’s thought he died of).
"The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long"
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
The scene of Salieri writing down Mozarts music is usually the scene that comes first to my mind when asked about my favourite scene in a movie.
It just touches me in so many ways. Saw it first time when I was 10, and love it even more 25 years later
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
This is an amazing movie. My mom had me watch it when i was really young. Ive always been in awe of it
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Did this as a film study in my English class at high school. It left a huge mark on me that film is an art form. Pretty heavy stuff for a 13 year old to try to understand, but it is thanks to this movie that I have the appreciation that I do for film today. I love your content, you have incredible insight for such a young guy. Hope you and yours have an amazing Xmas.
This was awesome to read man. Thank you brother! Happy holidays.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this movie in 1984 when it was released in theaters. I immediately love this movie. The acting, the costumes, and the sets were incredible. It was based on a play by playwright Peter Schaffer. The one thing they added to the film that was not in the original play was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's and Antonio Salieri's music. This added another character to the film that gives the viewer what these two men contributed to classical music. The play and this movie is not accurate in the historical sense of these two men, but Salieri did say towards the end of his life that he had poisoned Mozart. Yet, I don't believe that was true. Many historians believe that Mozart died from improperly cooked pork based on the symptoms from Constanze Mozart's letters. The last piece he had almost completed was the "Requiem Mass in C Minor," but one of his pupils was able to finish the rest of the mass based on notes from Mozart. We will never know what Wolfgang Mozart would have done to that incredible piece of music if he had enough time before his untimely death at age 35. I have seen many of his operas here in my hometown of Seattle, and I like "The Marriage of Figaro" and "The Magic Flute." I also like his comedic opera called "Cosi fan Tutti" or "What women always do."
It's amazing that in Mozart's short life, he had written over 800 pieces of music. His father, Leopold Mozart, taught him how to play piano and the violin as well as how to write music down on paper at age 4. Wolfgang's own sister, Nannerl Mozart, was also a child prodigy when it came to music. Both of them toured Europe to earn money for the family. Recently, a lost piano piece of music written by Wolfgang was found in someone's attic. There are probably more pieces of his music that are lost forever due to mismanagement and carelessness. Wolfgang had an incredible memory for music. He could go to any concert once, and he could write down the whole piece verbatim without any mistakes. I believe he heard the music in his head before he intended to write it down. Mozart was an amazing composer, and anyone can enjoy hearing it or playing his pieces with any instrument.
Straight up, this is my personal number 1 film of all time ever since I saw it in music class in 5th grade. I hope to live long enough to see a movie that could displace it. It's funny that when you genuinely love film, it becomes incredibly difficult to place movies in any kind of order of quality such as within a top 10, especially when there's an unexplainable urge to make your "favorite" films something obscure, bizarre, and unique. Amadeus has become the film that is EASIEST for me to say is my number 1. Glad you enjoyed this one.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Went to see this movie in a concert where an orchestra were doing the score live. It was amazing. The scene where Salieri reads Mozart's music sheet and it changes from piece to piece is quite mesmerizing done by a live orchestra
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
This was the first movie I cried over. According to my mom, I was sobbing at the end and yelling "BUT IT'S NOT FAIR!" over and over again
I just ordered the DVD for this yesterday to watch and now James has a reaction out for it. Life is great 🙌
Hahaha perfect timing. Like all things should be!
Why dvd ? Better a Blu-ray
@@Darkhyron You can only get the theatrical cut on DVD
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
@@FreedomFighter2112 The Colour Purple is extremely underrated. It should be rated much higher
Oh my god, your review of this masterpiece was the best ever reaction I have seen, and thank you. You totally appreciated every scene, every nuance, incredible editing, the emotions and character studies, the epic music and well, I could go on forever, but, BRAVO! This film knocked me out when I saw it in the theater in 1984 as a teenager, and it still stands the test of time. One of the best movies ever made. New subscriber and thanks again James.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
"Amadeus" and "Dangerous liaisons" are my two favorite period drama of the 80's. Amazing reaction/ analysis.
Thank you!! Glad people have been really digging this video.
i also liked the wicked lady starring faye dunaway--it s a true story and there was also 1940 s version ib black and white
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
One of my favorite movies of all time. It's great to listen to someone reacting that doesn't say DUMB things every second. 🤣 You are so insightful and interesting to listen to how you express all you see. Thank you. Merry Christmas from Europe💥💥💥
*Oh man this movie.* I grew up on Mozart's music - my parents even took me to children's versions of his operas and then bought me the casette tapes of the songs, so to this day I know every second of Don Giovanni by heart (albeit with much more innocent lyrics). I first saw this movie when I was a child as well, and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Salieri's frustration, the music, *the drama* - I got completely swept up in it. My favourite Don Giovanni part had always been the part where the ghost shows up at the end and takes Don Giovanni to hell, so you can imagine the chills I felt seeing it on screen. Even though some parts of the script obviously went over my head because of my age, it still affected me enormously.
(I was obsessed with Dante's Inferno and the story of Odysseus as well. I was a strange and slightly morbid child - what can I say.)
Remember witnessing this opening night. The silence at the end was absolutely deafening. No one breathed. No one moved. You could barely even hear the tears. Just a masterpiece of cinema.
My favorite film of all time. The music is so front and center, almost as if the movie was written as an embellishment of Mozart's music.
I loved watching this video, and to see someone grab from this movie aspects that I feel a lot of people don't get, but that hit me as well. The ending is a masterpiece, but the fact that Mozart's music served as the score to his own movie, it's brilliance.
James, thank you for such a brilliant video. I love this movie, I saw this movie at the movie theater when it was first released and have since bought the Blu-ray DVD. I had the soundtrack on cassette tape, vinyl, and CD. Your observations on this film were the same things I felt when I saw this movie. I am not ashamed to say that some parts of this video moved me to tears. You felt pretty much the way I felt when watching this. I totally resonated with your commentary. I thought I was alone in the universe. I know I am late to the party because you made this video two years ago, but I am so glad I found you, I am subscribed. Thanks for your poignant insights. Job well done. 💯💯
"Pettiness is what destroys civilizations, I'm starting to see."
No joke, as someone with an actual degree on the subject, that is not a bad take. The personal sleights of people with power turning into literal genocides is stunning. You should read about the civil war between Marius and Sulla in Rome (the Civil War that happened when Juilius Caesar was a very young man) and everything that led up to it. "The Storm Before The Storm" (even better as an audio book) goes into it very well, but it is one sleight after another , escalating over and over, until there was blood in the streets, which led to war, which led to genocide. It's insane.
Wow this was super interesting to read. Definitely gotta check out the Audio Book!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I sang Mozart's Requiem (the piece they are writing at the end) when I was around 17. Mozart did die before completing it and another composer finished it off. The last few movements are basically reworking of some of the earlier ones, so it is still really Mozart's music. But, who knows how it would have ended if he hadn't died. It is an amazing piece of music, if you haven't heard it, I highly recommend it.
I, too, sang the Requiem 10 years ago, at Lincoln Center in New York. An amazing piece to be able to perform. Looking at my score, Sussmayr (a pupil of Mozart) completed the Lacrymosa (bars 1-8 partially done by Mozart), and composed the Sanctus, Benedictus, and the Agnus Dei up to the Lux aeterna, which from there to the end is a repeat of what Mozart composed in the first movement.
Just wait til your patrons - me being one of them ;) - vote for One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975). Its the other highly regarded American film that Czech-born director Milos Forman made and it contains probably Jack Nicholson's best performance. It was also adapted from a novel written by Ken Kesey, who was heavily involved in the Merry Pranksters crew in San Francisco in the '60s who staged the notorious acid tests in the area to promote the use of LSD, which was also a jumping off point that began the Grateful Dead.
...also, Milos did some highly regarded films in Czechoslovakia in the '60s called Loves of a Blonde and The Fireman's Ball. The Czech New Wave is a film scene that was pretty groundbreaking.
Excited to get to that one!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Note this film was nominated for best editing Oscar, but it won best edited feature by the film editing guild.
Seeing this movie as a child on a field trip was what made me fall in love with movies (and intensified my love of great music). I feel so bad that you didn’t know that Mozart’s music is in the public domain so you could have included it. The movie uses his works to an unparalleled effect. The writing of the requiem, the first discovery of Mozart’s music by Salieri before he ever meets Mozart is so beautiful; an education. This film is masterful. I’m so glad you discovered it.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
A few years before the movie came out, I saw the play version of "Amadeus" on tour in San Francisco with Mark Hammill as Mozart. I also saw this movie during its original theatrical release. This is one of my favorite movies. I love the use of music throughout.
Mozart also transcribed Allegri’s Miserere from memory after hearing it performed at the Sistine Chapel.
My favorite film of 1981 (after Raiders of the Lost Ark) was another Forman film, Ragtime, featuring James Cagney's comeback and final film performance, and Howard Rollins' Best Supporting Actor nominated role. In one of the biggest criminal heists in Oscars history, Ragtime was not even nominated for Best Picture.
The composition scene before his death has always been one of the most powerful scenes for me. Everything about this film is absolutely astounding. They capture the hideousness of jealousy in a relatable way. The casting was phenomenal. This movie is unforgettable.
By FAR one of the BEST stories EVER put to celluloid. PERIOD.
The editing is excellent, and though the film won 8 Oscars, surprisingly Best Editing wasn't one of them. It was nominated - a nomination shared by Nena Danevic and Michael Chandler - but it lost to The Killing Fields (Jim Clark), an excellent film in its own right.
One of my favorite films of all time. So glad to see you dig it so much; such a testament to what ambitious, mature filmmaking can accomplish.
There are VERY few movies that leave me awe-struck (definitely less than 10 out of hundreds)... Amadeus is in that select group. It's not just a movie, it's a FILM. Everything was on point and everyone involved brought their A-game.
Fun fact: the actor playing Mozart (Tom Hulce) is also the voice of Quasimodo in Disney's Hunchback of Notre Dame.
🙌🏼
You gotta check out Immortal Beloved. The Ode to Joy scene alone is so moving and beautiful
James - This is a favorite film of mine and I really enjoyed re-watching it with you. I really appreciate that you really appreciate the music and the filmmaking involved in this work. Well done!
One of my all time favorite movies. The music, the costumes, the sets, the cinematography, the editing, the brilliant acting. It sweeps me away every time I watch it. Transcendent.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
James, very few people understand the multiple layers of this film. You did. That's why I so effing love your channel. Take care, and Merry X-Mas to you!
I unintentionally watched this the week before my Women in Music class watched "Don Giovanni" and it got me so hyped to watch it. Although it's not completely accurate, I adore "Amadeus" because of the way it humanizes these famous people who have risen to near legend status. I love how Milos Forman ends it by showing the issues with old asylums, especially since he did "Cuckoo's Nest". I didn't watch the director's cut of this, which I believe is the version you watched. I
This is one of my favourite films of all time. I am a huge Milos Forman fan and the 1st film of his I saw was 'One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest' at 14, then saw 'The People Vs Larry Flynt' at 16 but when I was 17 is when I saw 'Amadeus' and that was the film that made me want to truly get into film making as a Mozart fan. Over time I managed to catch special screenings at cinemas and special events. Milos Forman also made another great film called 'Ragtime' which is up there for me as well. His Czech films are worth checking out also. I hope this film is discovered more in today's world but thank you for a great reaction as always and just to see an artist like you truly appreciate every aspect of this film I hope those who haven't seen the movie go and check it out.
That scene of Mozart on his deathbed and sallieri writing his music for him is truly fantastic
The acting, the editing, the cinematography... All of it came together. Such a good film. Everyone should watch the full movie.
The Duality of Salieri, both loving and hating Mozart more than anyone ever did.... the acting, the music, the costumes, the cinematography. Best Movie Ever Made..... nothing to add.
Oh man!! I’m so excited that you’re seeing Amedeus for the first time- one of my favorite movies with my favorite reactor on TH-cam? 😁😁😁 “Amadeus” is definitely a masterpiece. F. Murray Abraham is brilliant. Actors, script, (music needless to say) , costumes, lighting is beautiful). So happy to see you discover this movie!
Watch the one about Beethoven: Immortal Beloved. It doesn't get enough recognition. And it's epic and gorgeous. Also brings the music to life!! ❤️❤️❤️
My Greatest Movies of All-Time
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I was just hoping the other day you would do this film. Such a fantastic movie.
F. Murray Abraham is a Quaker. Jealousy, hatred, envy, spite, those are anathema to him. He totally got that character.
It’s my all time favorite film. I’m blown away that it gets overlooked by so many people.
While Amadeus is a more artful and beautiful film, I'd also recommend Immortal Beloved, a really good movie about Beethoven's latter days (with Gary Oldman as Beethoven).
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this movie back when it came out and I immediately knew it was brilliant, even though I was only in high school.
In real life, Mozart died in debt and was buried in a pauper's grave, so the burial scene is fairly accurate. However, Salieri took care of Mozart's wife financially after Mozart's death. Interestingly enough, Salieri's works were largely forgotten in the 19th and 20th centuries and it was this movie that made people seek Salieri out again and revived his music.
This movie is still the greatest when it comes to taking a look inside the musical genius that was Mozart. I'm glad you love it as much as I do.
I'm so glad you reacted to this, it's my favorite film and it feels like nobody ever watches it 😭💖
The portrayal of Salieri is probably my favorite example of an actor truly being a master of his craft. Absolute genius.
AMADEUS is one of my favorite films. I remember seeing this movie when it was released and being wowed. This movie made me dive into Mozart's music. I re-watch this movie every once in a while to be reminded of its genius. I'm so glad you were affected by it like I was.
No way! First time I've seen someone react to Amadeus. Something totally different!
Wooo!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time....
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I saw this movie in the theatre when it debuted. Back in the day when there were no multiplexes. One big grand theater with the red velvet curtains. I was about 18. It has been one of my very favorite movies ever since. So glad to see it's getting the attention and recognition it deserves. It definitely has stood the test of time. Love that you enjoyed it.
Won F. Murray Abraham an Oscar for this role. I'll always remember him best in Scarface though.
Well deserved!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time....
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
Hell yes! Watching this right after work. I love this movie.
This movie is a masterpiece. It won a boat load of Oscars, including Best Picture. But to think that this is likely not even the best movie that Milos Forman has directed is crazy. Check out One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. Jack Nicholson put on an acting clinic.
The Blu-ray's making-of featurette (which is also available on TH-cam) is one of my very favorites.
Top 10 film for me for sure! Absolutely beautiful film. There is a "Making of" documentary that comes with the "Directors Cut" that I highly recommend.
Thanks! I just found that documentary on TH-cam - very interesting!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
one of my all time faves. a true masterpiece. thanks for reviewing. I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
Much love Chad!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
hell yes this is a legit masterpiece. such an amazing movie
agreed!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time:
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
I definitely did not expect you to react to this film! Thank you for the beautiful reaction. Loved your analysis!
My music teacher had us watch this in Jr high and I fell in love with it back then, but now it's even better! Great pick!
Such a great film!!
My Greatest Movies of All-Time....
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
i had to run over and watch this reaction after watching your Godfather one. im sure ive seen this already but i love it when you show incredible appreciation for films. tonight ill watch your Big Trouble in Little China reaction, make it a 3-fer sunday.. thanks, james !!
Ayyyy good to see ya!! Enjoy!!
Classic 1980s film. Got me listening to Mozart back in the day.
My Greatest Movies of All-Time....
#1 - Amadeus
#2 - The Color Purple
#3 - Schindler’s List
#4 - Shawshank Redemption
#5 - Pulp Fiction
#6 - Goodfellas
#7 - Saving Private Ryan
#8 - One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
#9 - Hair
#10 - Field of Dreams
What a brilliant move by Milos playing the music aloud during scenes. 👏👏👏