directed by Milos Forman
U.S.A. 1984

 

Milos Forman's brilliant, Oscar-winning adaptation of Peter Shaffer's hit play, AMADEUS is a fictionalized retelling of the final days of Antonio Salieri.


Salieri (F. Murray Abraham, who won the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal), a famous composer in Mozart's day but now incarcerated in an insane asylum, begins his final confession to a young cleric. He tells the story of his relationship with Mozart (Tom Hulce), in a 30-year flashback to when he first met the 26-year-old prodigy. Furious that this boor can produce such beautiful music, Salieri determines to keep Mozart's talent from continued recognition.

The discerning but less talented Salieri has great influence in Vienna, being court composer to Joseph II of Austria (Jeffrey Jones), who realizes he knows little about music and therefore allows Salieri to decide what he should hear and whom he should be patron to. After Mozart manages to get the Emperor's ear, his career is launched, and we see him writing and conducting several of his best pieces. Then his friends, health, and resources waste away. He works most feverishly on his "Requiem," commissioned by a masked stranger who is actually Salieri. The effort proves the final stroke against the greater composer's weakened constitution, and he is buried in a pauper's grave.

Milos Forman's direction is flawless, Neville Marriner's musical direction is superb, and the film is a feast for the eyes and ears. Although Forman concentrates on Mozart's more popular works, the prodigious output of Mozart's short life is clearly conveyed. AMADEUS is a must for any music lover, any film lover, or anyone who reveres excellence.

Excerpt from TV Guide located HERE


Posters

Reviews    More Reviews  DVD Reviews

DVD Comparison:

Warner Directors Cut - Region 1 - NTSC vs. Warner - Directors Cut - Region 2/4 - PAL

Big thanks to Andrey Diment for the R2/4 - PAL Screen Caps!

(Warner - R1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - RIGHT)

DVD Box Covers

 

Distribution

Warner

Region 1  - NTSC

Warner 
Region 2/4 - PAL
Runtime 3:04:00 2:52:48 (4% PAL speedup)
Video

2.35 (close to Original aspect ratio of 2.39:1) 16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 5.45 mb/s
NTSC 704x480 29.97 f/s

2.35:1 (close to Original Aspect Ratio of 2.39:1) 16X9 enhanced
Average Bitrate: 557
 PAL 720x576 25.00 f/s

NOTE: The Vertical axis represents the bits transferred per second. The Horizontal is the time in minutes.
Bitrate:

Warner R1

 

Bitrate:

Warner R2/4

 
Audio English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo), English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 1.0 (192Kb/s) DUB: French (Dolby Digital 5.1)

English Dolby Digital 5.1, English Dolby Digital 2.0, Italian Dolby Digital 5.1, English Audio Commentary Dolby Digital 1.0 (192Kb/s) 

Subtitles English, Spanish, French and none English, Italian, French, Spanish, German
Romanian, Bulgarian, Italian for the Hearing Impaired  and none
Features

Release Information:
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: September 19, 1984

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Encoding: Region 1 

• Commentary by director Milos Forman and writer Peter Shaffer
• Theatrical trailer
• New 2001 digital transfer from restored elements of 3-hour director's cut
• Soundtrack remastered
• Behind-the-scenes documentary "The Making of Amadeus" (37 min.)
• Widescreen anamorphic format
• Number of discs: 2

DVD Release Date: September 24, 2002
Keep Case

Chapters 46

Release Information:
Studio: Warner Home Video Australia
Theatrical Release Date: September 19, 1984

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen anamorphic - 2.35:1

Edition Details:
• Encoding: Region 2/4 

• Commentary by director Milos Forman and writer Peter Shaffer
• Theatrical trailer
• New 2001 digital transfer from restored elements of 3-hour director's cut
• Soundtrack remastered
• Behind-the-scenes documentary "The Making of Amadeus" (37 min.)
• Widescreen anamorphic format
• Number of discs: 2

 

DVD Release Date: Sept. 2002
Keep Case

Chapters 46

 

Comments: Although not as evident in these reduced screen captures, the Region 1 image quality is superior to the Region 2/4. Take a look at Constanze's face in the 3rd large capture below. The Region 2/4 is softer. Other than that the discs are pretty much the same with some slight variations in subtitle and language offering, with the Region 2/4 giving more options. the Region 1 does however offer French dubbing that is not available on the Region 2/4.
Captures from the second disk's making-of featurette of the Region 2/4 DVD exhibit blending (result of NTSC to PAL transfer). 

So easy decision, The Region 1 is the winner!

 - Gary W. Tooze




DVD Menus

(Warner - R1 - NTSC - LEFT vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - RIGHT)

 

Screen Capture from 2nd Disc

(Warner - R1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

DISC 2 SUPPLEMENTS -Captures from the second disk's making-of featurette exhibit unfocused blending (result of NTSC to PAL transfer)

 

Screen Captures from film
(Warner - R1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - BOTTOM)

 

(Warner - R1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - BOTTOM)

(Warner - R1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - BOTTOM)


(Warner - R1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - BOTTOM)

(Warner - R1 - NTSC - TOP vs. Warner - R2/4 - PAL - BOTTOM)

Hit Counter

DVD Box Covers

 

Distribution

Warner

Region 1  - NTSC

Warner 
Region 2/4 - PAL

Report Card:

 

Image:

Warner Region 1

Sound:

-
Extras: -
Menu: -

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DONATIONS Keep DVDBeaver alive:

Mail cheques, money orders, cash to:    or CLICK PayPal logo to donate!

Gary Tooze

Many Thanks...