What version of Amadeus?

I want to get this Blu-ray-but which version?

Amazon shows two different-looking Director's Cuts, and the one that doesn't say Director's Cut actually seems to be if I read the reviews.

A number of commentators prefer the original cut, which does not seem to be out on BD?

 

http://www.blu-ray.com/search/?quic...cksearch_keyword=amadeus&section=bluraymovies

There are three differently packaged versions, but as far as i know they are all identical.

 

In the past, I had seen the Theatrical cut of Amadeus about 10 times. But after seeing the Director's Cut on Blu Ray which is extensively longer (by about 20 minutes) and now has an running time to 180 minutes: it is the one to purchase. The film is markedly improved in my estimation.

 

There is only one version on Blu-ray, the extended cut. Many feel it's a travesty the Oscar-winning theatrical version is unavailable, including me. The extended cut affects the pacing and adds very little of substance to the brilliant theatrical cut.

 

Get the Digi-book. It includes a CD. If you are a "fan" of Elizabeth Berridge, you DEFINITELY want the Director's Cut. And there's plenty of "substance" there.

 

****t transfer regardless of the version you get: filtered, DNR'd and they used an old broadcast master:thumbsdn:

 

I'm with Phantom: theatrical is better. From my review:

"This edition adds exactly 20 minutes of previously excised footage. Many of the additions consist of small bits, but two long new sequences appear. One shows Salieri and Constanze as she tries to get him to recommend Mozart for a job, while the other offers a look at a disastrous experience Mozart had as a tutor. Another moderately substantial bit shows Katerina Cavalieri’s reaction to Mozart’s engagement.

I felt a mixed reaction to the added footage. Some of the bits seemed useful, such as the tutorial sequence; it nicely demonstrated Mozart’s monetary problems, and it helped flesh out a subsequent exchange between Wolfie and his father. I didn’t care for either the Salieri and Constanze piece or the engagement-related sequence, however. They altered the natural flow of the film and harmed the parts that immediately followed them.

Ultimately, I prefer the original theatrical cut. The 20 minutes of added footage doesn’t actively harm the movie, but none of it measurably improves the piece; even the parts I like don’t make Amadeus a better film. While the new bits seem interesting to see, I wish Warner Bros. had used seamless branching to allow us to watch either the original version or the director’s cut; I’d rather watch the theatrical edition in the future."

 

^ Ditto. It's a real shame theatrical version is not available in HD Oh well, the old double-sided DVD to the rescue...

 

I just watched the movie for the first time the other day (extended Blu-Ray) and I didn't think there were any pacing problems. When a movie is this great I just can't get enough of it, even if the added bits maybe didn't improve it...

 

If I correctly recall , Amadeus' extended version - the extra detail also adds weight - after Mozart dies, with regard to his humiliating pauper's funeral on a wet rainy day. For well over two hours, we as viewers have been subjected to this feted skittish giggling creature. Mozart was an unrelenting frenetic, freakish musical savant - a child in a man's body. It irritates me when people want various forms of 'rigid set -speed pacing' , instead of just allowing a film to 'breathe a bit' for a change.
How ironic :that when some theatrical- cut film is considered incoherent by 'nongs' , people start screaming for an extended Director's Cut to clarify various issues and convoluted points to finally reveal its already -alleged true greatness??!! I;E: Donnie Darko anyone?

Just look at those typical Hollywood films that have a running time under 90 minutes. Most of them are deliberately paced examples of 'brain -junk fast food' so no one will catch all their silly flaws and faults in the script or then equally ratty execution by some hack director. Whether they be drama or comedy, 'smashing up things or people' is their usual cool order of the day. Hail the attention span of the addicted computor game mind!

 

I'm happy with my 2 DVD set...

 

I have to disagree. I feel the director's cut adds some character moments that give additional depth to each one. It adds to the film in some unexpected and subtle ways that improve it.

The pacing is different, yes, but it works for that one--it just isn't the theatrical cut's pacing and the unique pacing for the extended cut is well worth it.

There is no reason, however, that both couldn't be made available on Blu with the storage capacity.

 

Totally agree. The cinema cut (the original, released version) is a masterpiece and is a huge influence during my formative years. Milos Forman himself has explained why he cut the scenes and felt they were better left out (just as PhantomStranger described). I have a feeling he was not involved in the decision; he seemed polite but ambivalent about it.

This is another one of those erroneous "director's cuts" - he had final cut; the cinema cut was his cut.

 

Falcos.

 

Didn't like the extended cut. I think it makes Mozart and Constanze unlike able characters. In the theatrical cut, you have to love poor old Mozart. I was really sorry I bought he extended cut at one point.

 

agree, I like the original much better.

 

Falco's Rock Me Amadeus is pretty good, but waaay different

 

Much prefer the original as well.

 

Berridge's mighty twin peaks is worthy of sitting through the extended version . . color me shallow, I guess.

 

The play !
The film was most dissapointing.