Amadeus, the Director's Cut, on Blu-ray disc

While the story of a long dead classical music composer may not sound like the stuff of which cinematic dreams are made, in the right hands it can be a compelling and highly enjoyable film.

Such is the case with Peter Shaffer’s adaptation of his own play, directed by the sure hand of Milos Forman and with a cast that brings to life the glory days of eighteenth century Austria and all that went with it.

But this isn’t so much the tale of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, from whose name the title is derived, as it is the story of Antonio Salieri (F. Murray Abraham) - court composer to Austria’s Emperor Joseph.

Salieri was master of his domain until the young genius Mozart (Tom Hulce, who really shines in the portrayal) showed up and pushed him into the footnotes of history. Mozart was everything Salieri wasn’t, and as much as Salieri learned to despise the rough-edged composer and hate everything for which he stood, he couldn’t help but be in complete awe of his masterful abilities, talents that made it seem to Salieri as if God himself were speaking through Mozart’s music.

It was, to Salieri, as if God - to Whom he had committed his entire life and ability - were throwing his entire life back into his face, showing him his mediocrity in the face of Mozart's genius. So he turned his back on his God, determined to destroy the animal Mozart who made him feel so totally inadequate.

The original version of Amadeus was a masterpiece of filmmaking, a spectacular period piece that was perfectly cast, written and crafted - so why bother with a director’s cut when director’s cuts so often (with certain exceptions, of course) can mean the addition of self indulgence or, at least, the gilding of a lily?

Well, if nothing else it’s a good marketing opportunity but to this reviewer's less than perfect memory the new version holds up very well and actually adds some interesting perspective that fills in a couple of holes.

For example, we now know why Wolfgang’s wife, Constanze (well played by Elizabeth Berridge), hates Salieri’s guts, thanks to an added scene or two that "fleshes out" their relationship.

The movie doesn’t seem longer, though it is (by 20 minutes), nor does it seem padded, so this is one director’s cut that stands up as, if not the best version, then one that's at least as good as the “original.”

It’s also an excellent Blu-ray release, in one of Warners' "Book" packages that are really quite nice.

The 1080p picture (2.4:1) is glorious, with rich colors and good depth. It does show its age a bit, but being a period piece that doesn't seem to work against the film. We watched it on our 106 screen fired upon by the Epson Home Cinema 1080 UB projector and it made for a marvelously cinematic experience.

A movie like this demands great audio, of course, and the new Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround track does justice to the music of the master. The sound, as recreated on our 500 watt per channel Rotel system, is first rate, filling the room in a most appropriate and pleasant manner. Truly, if you weren’t a fan of Mozart's music when you sit down to watch Amadeus, you probably will be by the time it’s over.

Part of the joy of Amadeus comes not only from Mozart’s music, but from writer Shaffer’s vision of Salieri reacting to Mozart’s music. We see this nothing-more-than-adequate composer, who loves music above all else, in positive rapture at how the vulgar Mozart has structured his music, letting us in the audience in on just how innovative and glorious Mozart's compositions actually were. It’s enough to make you run out and buy Mozart’s Greatest Hits the instant the movie is over.

And now you don't have to! With the Blu-ray, Warners has tossed in a separate CD of Mozart compositions! It's also recorded beautifully and gives you about an hour of Mozart stuff via Sir Neville Marriner.

A third disc is a digital copy of the film.

Other extras include a commentary with director Milos Forman and writer Peter Shaffer and an excellent "Making of" documentary, though it (quite rightly) concentrates on creating the film and doesn't deal a lot with such questions as "How accurate historically is the story, especially the Salieri/Mozart situation?"

You also get the trailer. This is a Blu-ray treatment Amadeus deserves.

Amadeus, the Director’s Cut, from Warner Home Video
180 min. 1080p widescreen (2.4:1), Dolby TrueHD 5.1 surround
Starring F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Simon Callow, Roy Dotrice, Jeffrey Jones,
Produced by Saul Zaentz
Written by Peter Shaffer, Directed by Milos Forman

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