Amadeus 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Review
Score: 85
from 11 reviewers
Review Date:
Amadeus 4K UHD Blu-ray impresses with its faithful theatrical reconstruction, despite lacking comprehensive extras, making it a must-own for all.
Disc Release Date
Video: 92
Amadeus dazzles with its UHD 2160p/HDR transfer, highlighting candlelit interiors through a pitch-perfect 4K restoration of the original camera negative. While opting for a softer aesthetic, the color depth and mood are impressively preserved, ensuring purists and videophiles alike a near-flawless visual experience.
Audio: 91
The DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track provides a robust and dynamic experience, blending intimate and forceful audio moments with limited but effective discrete activity. The front-forward presentation expands convincingly to fill the room, capturing the film's stage essence, though a new Atmos remix could have added intrigue.
Extra: 57
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of 'Amadeus' features mixed extras: a new, yet visually subpar, 'Amadeus: The Making of a Masterpiece' with insightful yet webcam-quality interviews, and a more polished, essential 2002 featurette, but overlooks inclusion of the theatrical trailer and isolated score track from prior editions.
Movie: 98
The recent 4K restoration of 'Amadeus' triumphantly revives the original theatrical cut, offering superior editing and flow in a near-flawless film and a fitting tribute to its 1984 debut, despite Warner Bros.' limited release lacking comprehensive bonus features.
Video: 92
The 4K UHD presentation of "Amadeus" is an impressive technical achievement, crafted from a recent 4K scan of the original camera negative, complemented by meticulous manual cleanup and color correction. The film, originally set in Prague with interiors evocatively lit by candlelight, benefits significantly from HDR processing. This technology enriches shadow details with impressive clarity and depth without any unwarranted blooming, maintaining a natural and genuine portrayal of its period ambiance. Viewers can expect a visual experience that mirrors a vintage theatrical presentation, proving especially effective during dimly lit scenes where subtle details are crucial.
While "Amadeus" inherently possesses a softer visual style, diverging from the hyper-crisp remastering some classic films receive in 4K, its strength lies in its robust color palette and immersive mood-setting. The HDR nuances breathe life into the film’s aesthetic, although occasional qualms exist with slightly inconsistent shot transitions, where color alignment falters, detracting minimally from the experience. Nevertheless, these moments are infrequent and minor. Organic film grain is well-preserved, contributing to the authenticity of the viewing experience. The encoding is robust, benefiting from a high bit rate on a triple-layered disc, ensuring consistent quality.
The UHD presentation results in an elevated viewing experience distinguished by its faithfulness to the director's vision and clear superiority over previous formats. While not achieving absolute perfection due to minor color mismatches in transitions, it stands as a choice example of how modern technology can enhance classic cinema. This transfer is sure to gratify purists and videophiles alike, earning an impressive near-perfect rating that justifies its status as essential for any serious collector.
Audio: 91
The audio presentation on the 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Amadeus" harnesses its DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track, essentially the original 5.0 mix encapsulated in a 5.1 container, with commendable effectiveness. The track delivers a vibrant, robust, and meticulously dynamic experience that provides both an intimate and powerful performance. It captures the nuanced intensity of heated exchanges, the vivacity of social gatherings, and the grandeur of the numerous opera performances within the film, projecting them with remarkable clarity and strength in expansive concert settings. Although the soundstage favors a front-forward projection, it effortlessly incorporates rear channels to envelop audiences in an immersive, room-filling auditory spectacle.
The audio design stays loyal to the film’s theatrical origins by creating an authentic "you are there" atmosphere, peppered with innovative stylistic touches that highlight key transitions and moments within the film's score. Noteworthy sound effects, such as the crumpled paper transition, enhance the track's immersive quality, consistently engaging the listener with creative and astute sonic crafting. While an Atmos remix might have introduced new layers of depth, the current DTS-HD Master Audio track stands poised and effective on its own—a testament to its enduring strength and masterful execution. Optional subtitles, including English (SDH), provide additional accessibility during the main feature and accompanying extras.
Extras: 57
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Amadeus" offers a selection of extras that will captivate both die-hard fans and new viewers alike. Despite the omission of some items from previous editions, such as the Director's Cut commentary and theatrical trailer, the new special features offer substantial insights into the film's production. The standout addition, "Amadeus: The Making of a Masterpiece," brings together cast, crew, and historians reflecting on various topics like casting, Milos Forman and Peter Shaffer's contributions, and filming challenges in 1980s Prague under Russian occupation. However, this feature is visually marred by low-resolution webcam feeds with over-applied AI sharpening filters. Additionally, the classic featurette "The Making of Amadeus" remains an essential inclusion, providing a comprehensive overview of the production process.
Extras included in this disc:
- NEW! Amadeus: The Making of a Masterpiece: Reflection on the film by cast and crew, with web-recorded insights on its production.
- The Making of Amadeus: A detailed 2002 documentary exploring the film's creation process.
Movie: 98
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "Amadeus" delivers an extraordinary visual and auditory experience, revitalizing Milos Forman's 1984 cinematic masterpiece to its original glory. The restoration process has reversed the changes made to the camera negative for the 2002 Director's Cut, offering viewers the original theatrical version that was long eclipsed by its extended counterpart. The Academy Film Archive, in collaboration with The Saul Zentz Company and other esteemed organizations, has meticulously restored the film, allowing audiences to once again appreciate its eight Academy Award-winning grandeur without the additional scenes introduced in the Director's Cut. The improved editing and flow of this version present a rich narrative that now runs for approximately 160 minutes, maintaining an engaging pace and structural integrity that was somewhat compromised in the longer cut.
From a technical standpoint, this release is a triumph. The 4K transfer provides stunning clarity and fidelity, making the period costumes and set pieces more vibrant and tactile than ever before. Accompanying the visuals is an audio presentation that matches the exceptional quality of its image, delivering a lush soundstage that underscores Mozart's brilliant compositions in exquisite detail. Despite some critique regarding the sparse inclusion of supplementary content, which comprises mainly a modest retrospective featurette, this iteration is nonetheless an essential acquisition for any cinephile or newcomer who seeks to experience "Amadeus" as it was originally intended. The absence of a dual-version package is lamentable, yet the restoration of the original theatrical cut aligns seamlessly with its historical significance and aesthetic magnificence, firmly presenting it as the definitive edition worthy of any serious collection.
Total: 85
The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of Milos Forman's "Amadeus" revitalizes a cinematic classic, aimed at both enthusiasts and new audiences. The transfer of this well-loved drama benefits from advanced 4K technology, restoring the original theatrical cut after decades of domination by the Director’s Cut in home video formats. This restoration delivers a crisp, visually engaging experience, showcasing the film’s historical aesthetic with impressive clarity and color accuracy. However, the absence of a similarly restored standard Blu-ray version and limited additional bonus features leaves some potential unfulfilled, particularly for those interested in comprehensive filmographies or cinematic analyses.
The audio presentation on this new release is nothing short of exceptional. The multi-channel soundtrack offers an enveloping auditory experience that profoundly enhances the drama's impact, preserving the intricate compositions of Mozart with detailed precision. Despite this, the expectation of additional content persists among dedicated fans—the inclusion of certain scenes from the Director’s Cut could elevate an already masterful film.
In conclusion, "Amadeus" in 4K UHD is a remarkable acquisition, preserving the spirit of its theatrical roots while delivering modern technical enhancements that enrich the viewing experience. It is highly recommended for both aficionados and newcomers to the film, though it's worth noting the potential for further enrichment in supplementary materials. Fans and first-time viewers alike are unlikely to be disappointed by this high-definition homage to a cinematic masterpiece.
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AV Forums review by Mark Costello
Video: 100
The single disc houses the theatrical cut of the film ONLY – the directors cut which has been the only version available on home media for many years is NOT included in this set at all....
Audio: 90
Detailing and grain presentation are top notch for a film over forty years old and shot under exhaustingly authentic conditions – it’s a touch soft at times thanks to the extensive use of natural light,...
Extras: 70
Dialogue is perfect – locked to the centre channel, never sounding boxy or hemmed in and with no sync issues noted at all, it sits perfectly within the musical mix, never getting lost even as the music...
Movie: 100
It’s a staggering achievement of bringing character, narrative and theme together into a symbiotic whole, proving, certainly for the first time in my life, that ‘cinema’ had the power to make me care about...
Total: 90
WB deliver an equally gorgeous new presentation of the recent 4K restoration, bringing the much-missed theatrical cut back to home video and in a beautiful looking and sounding manner....
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AV Nirvana review by Michael Scott
Video: 90
What makes the restoration and remaster so incredible is that they had to work tirelessly to assemble the original master from the OCN....
Audio: 90
Now, my memory is a bit fuzzy, but I SWORE it was a slightly tweaked version of the original theatrical mix, but had been amped up for home video in some way (going off of memory here)....
Extras: 40
Extras: Extras: • The Making of Amadeus Amadeus - Featurette • AMADEUS AMADEUS The Making of a Masterpiece -Featurette Final Score: ...
Movie: 100
Couple that with the fact that the director’s cut of Amadeus Amadeus drastically slows down the pacing, with acting that isn’t nearly as seamless as the rest of the film, all of which made Warner’s decision...
Total: 90
The audio is fantastic (although a recycled 5.1 DTS-HD MA track vs. a new Atmos mix), but the extras are incredibly anemic....
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AVS Forum review by Ralph Potts
Video: 96
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Audio: 90
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Extras: 70
...
Movie: 90
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
Total: 87
Ralph Potts AVS Forum Blu-ray Reviews Reference Review System: JVC DLA-NZ7 4K Ultra High-Definition Laser Front Projector (Calibrated with Calman color calibration software and Portrait Displays C6 HDR2000...
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Blu-ray.com review by Randy Miller III
Video: 90
Truthfully, Amadeus is a fairly soft-looking production by design and thus doesn't achieve the kind of tack-sharp and almost crystalline appearance that some may be used to seeing in classic films remastered...
Audio: 100
Similarly, this DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track -- which is technically the originally 5.0 mix in a 5.1 container -- pulls more than its own weight with a lively, robust, and extremely dynamic presentation...
Extras: 50
The Making of a Masterpiece (23:27) - This recent piece, presumably assembled during the last several years, offers reflections on Amadeus from members of the cast, crew, and other notables who are all...
Movie: 100
Fans will have their preferences, of course, but most (including myself) can admit that one Director's Cut scene absolutely earned its place: a short meeting between Mozart's wife Constanze and Salieri...
Total: 80
This labor of love is absolutely worth owning, although it can't help but feel incomplete due to the lack of a similarly restored Blu-ray and a more comprehensive set of existing bonus features, including...
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Blu-ray Authority review by Matt Brighton
Video: 80
The biggest improvement here is the detail, which has been bumped up and it really makes some of the costumes seen in the film look a lot better....
Audio: 80
I can remember being in a home theater store about a dozen years ago and there was a scene from this movie being displayed as one of the finest examples of how pure and crystal clear sound could be....
Extras: 70
The Making of a Masterpiece – New to this 4K is a brand new segment that is a welcome addition....
Movie: 0
Still, it was a testament to how good the film actually was (and still is) when you can take a movie about a classical composer, albeit probably the best composer in history, and make a very entertaining...
Total: 80
Warner’s disc has a new supplement, a new audio mix and an enhanced picture – what’s not to love?...
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The Digital Bits review by Bill Hunt
Video: 95
Note that Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment’s new 4K release contains the Theatrical Cut of the film only—believed to be Forman’s preferred version—mastered from a new scan and restoration of the...
Audio: 95
The surround channels are used for occasional directional play and environmental ambience, which is welcome indeed in the film’s various ballroom, reception chamber, and theatre settings....
Extras: 75
The 2009 Director’s Cut Blu-ray is still available, so that release is worth keeping if you have it (or seeking out if you don’t)....
Movie: 95
So offended is Salieri by all of this, that—in between moments of savoring the pure genius of Mozart’s prolific compositions—he sets out to destroy the young man once and for all....
Total: 90
While there may be those among its fans who wish the Director’s Cut had been included as well, it’s long past time that Miloš Forman’s original and beloved Theatrical Cut was given its due, and this new...
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Do Blu review by Matt Paprocki
Video: 80
It’s a soft application, somewhat dull by the highest standard of this format, but certainly respectful to the source that was shot with natural light alone....
Audio: 80
A stretch into the surrounds adds space to the powerful front soundstage, with all of the clarity and fidelity demanded of it....
Extras: 60
The second is older, titled Making of Amadeus, which in spite of the near exact name, is different, and it’s more in-depth on the production while running just over an hour total....
Movie: 100
Mozart’s work becomes weirder and erratic, inserting layers of personal emotion, turning into a way to cope with how little he’s personally understood, which Salieri so expertly exploits for his own benefit....
Total: 80
A story of ego, bitterness, genius, and kingly snobbishness, Amadeus is flush with memorable characters and performances....
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High-Def Digest
Video: 100
Stable, true flesh tones predominate and Abraham's heavy makeup as the elderly Salieri looks, for the most part, very natural....
Audio: 100
Without proper dynamic range, tonal depth, and a broad sound field, the impact of Mozart's melodies on Salieri personally and the audience at large would not be nearly as great and the story would suffer....
Extras: 40
Forman and Shaffer recall the intense collaboration that spawned the screenplay; all comment on the beauty of the Prague locations and the challenges of filming under a Communist regime; and Abraham recounts...
Movie: 100
Mozart also doesn't hide his disdain for mediocrity, and that includes Salieri's compositions, which he attacks with a barrage of stinging barbs that rapidly turn the court composer's jealousy into hatred....
Total: 100
It's a shame the director's cut was not included in this edition, but the superior quality of the video and audio helps ease the pain of that loss....
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Home Theater Forum review by soonercineaste
Video: 100
Miroslav Ondricek’s cinematography, feasting upon the Prague locations and period costuming, retains a warm, candle-lit hue throughout as well as a satisfying evocation of a freshly struck 35mm print,...
Audio: 100
Amadeus has long been a showcase for the sumptuous sounds of Mozart’s exquisite compositions — as brought to life by Sir Neville Marriner and the Academy of St. Martin in the Fields — and the included...
Extras: 70
What hasn’t made the jump to this release is the extant commentary track from Forman and Shaffer (at least somewhat understandable, as it was oriented around the longer director’s cut — but surely an edited...
Movie: 100
By taking the viewpoint of a contemporary, rather than trying to place viewers inside the mind of such a singular talent, Forman and Shaffer transcend the traps of biographical drama and simply allow the...
Total: 90
There are vanishingly few instances of filmmakers finding a way to do so — too often, such attempts lapse into lectures, reams of dialogue underscoring the singular brilliance of a painter or author or...
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Theater Byte review by Brandon A. Duhamel
Video: 90
HDR10 encodement, displaying HDR10 Metadata with a MaxLL of 690 nits and a MaxFALL of 74 nits....
Audio: 90
It delivers classical orchestral and opera music with accurate room acoustics and microphone distance, along with clear dialogue and sound effects....
Extras: 40
There are only two featurettes included and Warner has removed the original audio commentary from this release....
Movie: 90
Based on Peter Shaffer’s stage play of the same name, Amadeus reimagines the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the lens of his rival, Antonio Salieri, creating a narrative that is as much about the...
Total: 90
Amadeus is out on 4K Ultra HD + Digital February 25, 2025 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Purchase on Amazon.com Rating Certificate: R Studios & Distributors: Orion Pictures | AMLF |...
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Why So Blu? review by Adam Toroni-Byrne
Video: 90
Typical softness from the older source is apparent but not distracting with plenty of life in every frame even in low light....
Audio: 90
Surrounds bring the music all around you filling the room, along with the usual ambience of indoor and outdoor events on screen....
Extras: 40
This means they’ve removed most of the bonuses to save on providing a second Blu-ray in the package....
Movie: 100
Sallieri begins with his childhood and how he made a deal with God to become a famous musician like Mozart, Salieri would offer his faithfulness, chastity, and diligence....
Total: 80
Told through the fictional rivalry of Antonio Salieri and Mozart, you are treated to a fast, funny and at time surprising drama filled with moments that teeter on edge of your seat excitement....
Director: Milos Forman
Actors: F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge
PlotIn 18th-century Vienna, Antonio Salieri, the celebrated court composer to Emperor Joseph II, finds himself consumed by obsessive jealousy upon encountering Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, a young musical prodigy whose genius is unparalleled. Despite Mozart's crass and childish behavior, his music captivates Salieri, who views Mozart's divine talent as a cruel joke by God, given to someone so unworthy in Salieri's eyes. Salieri's reverence for music and his ambition to create heavenly compositions clash with his growing envy, setting him on a dark path of rivalry and desperation.
As Salieri becomes increasingly entangled in Mozart's world, he positions himself as the young composer's confidant to sabotage his career while publicly maintaining the facade of a supportive colleague. The dynamic between the mediocre court composer and the brilliant Mozart plays out against the backdrop of the opulent Austro-Hungarian Empire, filled with palace intrigues, sumptuous feasts, and grand performances. Salieri witnesses Mozart's struggles for recognition and financial security even as the latter creates sublime and transformational works, further fueling Salieri's bitter resentment.
Writers: Peter Shaffer, Zdenek Mahler
Release Date: 19 Sep 1984
Runtime: 160 min
Rating: PG
Country: United States, France
Language: English, Italian, Latin, German, French