Great Composers - Bach / Mozart DVD

Advantages: Stunning music, script, story , acting and cinematography
Disadvantages: 8 Oscars - So what could possibly be wrong?

...The title refers to Antonio Salieri (played by F. Murray Abraham who won best actor) , the narrator in flashback , of this stunning 1984 film directed by Milos Forman, winning of eight academy awards , including best picture. Based on Peter Shaffer’s play with a superb score of Mozart and Salieri music performed by Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted and supervised by Sir Neville Mariner. I am reviewing this because I purchased it from Amazon (9.99 GBP) on DVD. The DVD is a two sider which includes copious production notes, biographies and a music only soundtrack. It runs for around two and half hours, an absolute bargain. The story is told as a confession by Salieri to the priest in the asylum where he now housed. He tells of how he was court composer, but his position was threatened by the upstart hooligan Mozart... Read review

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Advantages: Period drama, the music, the acting, the direction
Disadvantages: Not a true rendition

...Amadeus – Director’s Cut Introduction The film Amadeus is based on Peter Schaffer’s stage play of the same name. The film was originally screened in 1984 and has been released on DVD. This updated version, Amadeus – Director’s Cut, was released in September 24th 2002 by Warner Home Videos certificate 18. This new version runs for 180 minutes in contrast to the original which ran for 160 minutes on DVD. The film is basically about the antagonism that existed between the two composers, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. The updated film reinstates sections originally cut from the film that help to clarify a number of crucial plot developments. The film is available to buy from £7.97. Synopsis The story starts in 1823, when Salieri, old and distrurbed, is admitted to an insane asylum after trying to commit suicide. He... Read review

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Advantages: Excellent transfer from stage to screen
Disadvantages: Those accents

..."Amadeus" is about the life and works of Mozart, who seems to be hailed nowadays as the musical Shakespeare, the greatest composer who ever lived. Surprisingly then, Mozart is portrayed as childish, lecherous, and insensitive - but capable of producing the most brilliant music. "I am a vulgar man, but there is nothing vulgar about my music," as he says. Unfortunately, rival composer Salieri is waiting in the wings, envious of Mozart's talent and the harsh knowledge that not only is Mozart beating him in the composer stakes, but deserves to as well. With this in mind, Salieri's underhand machinations send Mozart to an early grave. In fact, Salieri is a far more interesting character, as he is fuelled by his human hatred but equally aware of the crime he is committing. The film is funny and fascinating, with some brilliant set... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful