BLU-RAY REVIEW

Amadeus

Featured In Issue 139, March/April 2009

Picture4.5
SoundNR
WSR Score5
Basic Information on new release titles is posted as soon as titles are announced. Once reviewed, additional data is added to the database.
(Studio/Distributor):
Warner Home Video
(Catalog Number):
1000042554
(MPAA Rating):
R
(Rating Reason):
Brief nudity
(Retail Price):
$35.99
(Disc Type):
Single Side, Dual Layer (BD-50)
(Widescreen Edition):
Yes
(Full Screen Edition):
No
(Running Time In Minutes):
180
(Color Type):
Color
(Chaptered/Scene Access):
Yes
(Closed Captioned):
Yes
(Regional Coding):
Not Indicated
(Theatrical Year):
1984
(Theatrical Release):
Yes
(Direct-To-Video Release):
No
(Disc Release Date):
02/10/09
(THX® Digitally Mastered):
No
(Director):
Milos Forman
(Screenplay/Written By):
(Story):
(Music):
(Director Of Photography):
(Production Designer):
(Visual Effects):
(Costume Designer):
(Editor):
(Supervising Sound Editors):
(Re-Recording Mixers):
(Executive Producers):
(Co-Producers):
(Producers):
(Academy Awards):
(Principal Photography):
(Theatrical Aspect Ratio):
(Measured Disc Aspect Ratio):
(Disc Soundtrack):
Dolby TrueHD 5.1, Dolby Digital 5.1
(Theatrical Sound):
(Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
(DTS Bit Rate):
(Dolby Digital Bit Rate):
(Additional Languages):
(French Language):
(Spanish Language):
(Chinese Language):
(Subtitles):
(Cantonese Language):
(Mandarin Language):
(Japanese Language):
(Italian Language):
(German Language):
(Portuguese Language):

Peter Shaffer's story, as told by Antonio Salieri (Abraham, in his Academy® Award-winning role), a jealous, but talented court composer, is the account of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's (Hulce) astounding talents in composing incredible operas, entire orchestra pieces, and his "sickening" popularity and ridiculing personality. It is a story of the mastermind behind the childish man, who was born a miracle in the minds of any musician. Abraham carries Amadeus, with the consuming hatred of Salieri. Winner of eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. (Gary Reber)

Disc One special features include audio commentary by Director Milos Forman and Writer Peter Shaffer; an exclusive bonus book with 35 pages of insightful essays, beautiful photography, trivia, and details of Mozart and his music; The Making Of Amadeus featurette (HD 60:42); and the theatrical trailer. Disc Two is a special CD compilation from the Best Sound Oscar-winning original film soundtrack. Also included is a separate disc, which contains a digital download copy of the film for use with Windows Media.

The 2.42:1 1080p VC-1 picture is superior to the previously reviewed anamorphically enhanced 2.35:1 DVD. Much finer details are more discernible on this high-definition version, and there is a higher level of crisp clarity and sharpness than on the previous version. Still, many scenes have a soft appearance. Colors are rich and well balanced and absolutely natural throughout, with nicely rendered fleshtones and deep, solid blacks. Unlike the source element used in previous transfers, which revealed some dirt and grain, this transfer is pristine, with no such artifacts or edge-enhancement artifacts. This a fabulously beautiful picture of reference quality. (Gary Reber)

The Dolby® TrueHD 5.1-channel soundtrack is a copy of the latest remastering effort, which was presented in the Dolby Digital 5.1-channel format on the DVD. The lossless resolution allows one to hear the most intimate low-level sounds. Dialogue offers a more intimate, more engaging spatial effect—the result of excellent production sound, though the recording quality is dated. This soundtrack delivers a wonderful enveloping surround experience through the music. Atmospheric effects, when present, do serve to effectively immerse and accentuate the sense of spaciousness. This is a terrific soundtrack with wonderful orchestral music that is sure to please.(Gary Reber)