Film / Amadeus
Is Amadeus the film truthful about Mozart's life?
Amadeus the film is a fictionalized story of Wolfgang Amadeus
Mozart from the time he left Salzburg, described by its writer as
"fantasia on the theme of Mozart and Salieri". The story is set in Vienna, Austria, during the latter half of the 18th century. Mozart's music is heard
extensively in the soundtrack of the film.
It is 1781, the year Mozart left Salzburg for Vienna, and Antonio Salieri (Abraham) is the court composer to Emperor Joseph II (Jeffrey Jones). When Mozart (Oscar nominee Tom Hulce as Mozart, in Amadeus) arrives at court, Salieri is horrified to discover that the godlike musical gifts he desires have been bestowed on the impish, bawdy young Mozart. Engulfed by envy, he plots to destroy Mozart by any means. Perhaps, even murder. The mystery, and the music remain.
As a lifelong Mozartian, I say no, it's absolutely not truthful. Most of the plot revolves around Salieri vs. Mozart, and from Mozart biographies written by prominent writers on Mozart the two didn't seem to have that kind of relationship in real life, just as there is no historical proof that Salieri actually killed Mozart, who died from an illness.
Here are two resources of his cause of death:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1304957
http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/00…
Here's an interesting quote I found from one of my old journals, I apologise if I haven't the actual source written down. But I couldn't agree more with the thoughtful comment.
"A primary issue in both stage and screen versions is Mozart's behavior: his cavorting with Constanze in a public room of a noble residence, his use of inappropriate language, his excessive drinking, his lack of respect for the emperor and archbishop, his public parody of Salieri, his high self-opinion, and his general insensitivity to propriety. That which took place in view of the Salzburg archbishop and the emperor would have resulted in banishment from court or worse. Even though protocol had been loosened during the reign of the "people's" emperor, it is almost unimaginable that anyone would tell Joseph II that something he said was "absurd." Again, the result would have meant that none of the Viennese operas would have been commissioned or composed and that no venue for them would have existed. Certainly, Mozart must have treated the emperor and his entourage with some special care. Mozart's drinking runs as a sub-theme throughout the plot in Amadeus. But in reality, it seems that he rarely drank to excess, though in his last year or two his drinking did appear to have increased. ..."
Here are two resources of his cause of death:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A1304957
http://www.news.cornell.edu/chronicle/00…
Here's an interesting quote I found from one of my old journals, I apologise if I haven't the actual source written down. But I couldn't agree more with the thoughtful comment.
"A primary issue in both stage and screen versions is Mozart's behavior: his cavorting with Constanze in a public room of a noble residence, his use of inappropriate language, his excessive drinking, his lack of respect for the emperor and archbishop, his public parody of Salieri, his high self-opinion, and his general insensitivity to propriety. That which took place in view of the Salzburg archbishop and the emperor would have resulted in banishment from court or worse. Even though protocol had been loosened during the reign of the "people's" emperor, it is almost unimaginable that anyone would tell Joseph II that something he said was "absurd." Again, the result would have meant that none of the Viennese operas would have been commissioned or composed and that no venue for them would have existed. Certainly, Mozart must have treated the emperor and his entourage with some special care. Mozart's drinking runs as a sub-theme throughout the plot in Amadeus. But in reality, it seems that he rarely drank to excess, though in his last year or two his drinking did appear to have increased. ..."
This sumptuous period epic film is a gripping human drama, a glorious celebration of the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Amadeus the film won eight Academy Awards (1984), including Best Picture, Actor (F. Murray Abraham) Director (Milos Forman) and Adapted Screenplay (Peter Shaffer, based on his Tony-winning play).
Mozart and Salieri: Truths and Myths. A Musical Vision, website of Dr. Vincent DeLuise. January 27, 2021.
The Making of Amadeus - director's cut by Milos Forman. Youtube, uploaded by director's cut. Accessed February 18, 2019.
Amadeus film poster. Wikipedia Commons.
Amadeus the film (1984) ... various clips. Youtube. Accessed February 27, 2018.
That was Mozart - Amadeus. Youtube, uploaded by Lucky Jack. Accessed February 27, 2018.
Suggested Links:
Amadeus Complete Soundtrack Music. Beautiful Music Librarian. Accessed February 9, 2016.
Mozart and Salieri: Truths and Myths. A Musical Vision, website of Dr. Vincent DeLuise. January 27, 2021.
The Making of Amadeus - director's cut by Milos Forman. Youtube, uploaded by director's cut. Accessed February 18, 2019.
"What Amadeus (the film) Got Right" by Dr. Vincent de Luise. A Musical Vision. Accessed January 27, 2023.
Photo Credit:
Amadeus film poster. Wikipedia Commons.
Video Credits:
Amadeus the film (1984) ... various clips. Youtube. Accessed February 27, 2018.
Amadeus (1984) Directed by Milos Forman. (Trailer) Youtube, uploaded by Avids / Network. Accessed February 9, 2023.
That was Mozart - Amadeus. Youtube, uploaded by Lucky Jack. Accessed February 27, 2018.
Resources:
Amadeus (film). en.wikipedia.orgAmadeus: Film by Forman (1984). Britannica online.
Amadeus. IMDB
(c) February 2011. Updated February 9, 2023. Tel. Inspired Pen Web. All rights reserved.
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