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Aug 16
2h 29m

Amadeus (1984) - ATRM Classic | Ep. 119

All The Right Movies
About this episode

Winner of eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Miloš Forman's masterpiece tells the story of Mozart through the envious eyes of his rival Salieri. But how did a Czech director come to make a classic Viennese tale? And what's the real story behind "too many notes"?


Join John, Westy, and Matt as they dive deep into the making of a theatrical triumph turned cinematic classic. From Peter Shaffer adapting his own stage play to Tom Hulce's rock-and-roll approach to playing Mozart (yes, really), we explore how Forman transformed a Broadway hit into one of cinema's great achievements.

We uncover the fascinating production history, including the painstaking recreation of 18th-century Vienna, the decision to film in Prague during the Cold War, and which Hollywood legends (plus a Rolling Stone) were originally considered for the lead roles. Plus, discover how F. Murray Abraham's performance as Salieri became the perfect embodiment of jealousy and genius, and why this film makes you simultaneously want to compose a symphony and maybe poison your neighbour (we don't recommend the latter).

This is the story of how one of history's greatest composers became the subject of one of cinema's greatest films—told the way only All The Right Movies can tell it.

Telling the story of Hollywood, one movie at a time.


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