12 MEMORABLE BEST PICTURE WINNERS #9

AMADEUS (1984)

57th Academy Awards

Nominated With:
The Killing Fields
A Passage to India
Places in the Heart
A Soldier’s Story

Directed By:
Milos Forman

Starring:
F. Murray Abraham, Tom Hulce, Elizabeth Berridge, Simon Callow, Roy Dotrice, Christine Ebersold, Jeffrey Jones

Synopsis:
F. Murray Abraham earned a Best Actor Oscar for his imperious performance as Antonio Salieri, a mediocre composer whose churlish young rival, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce), wins immortality with his musical genius. Salieri, not happy to see his talent eclipsed, deviously plots revenge. Sly and compelling from start to finish, Amadeus also won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director (Milos Forman).

Why this is a great choice:

Amadeus is a film that offers a different perspective on the biography film. Here is a film that uses Mozart in a unique way ultimately becoming more an examination on various themes and more specifically on Antonio Salieri’s jealousy. It is an energetic period film almost with a modern tone. Amadeus is a rare film that seamlessly blends art and entertainment.

12 Memorable Best Picture Winners -- previous enteries:

- Ordinary People (1980)
- Annie Hall (1977)
- The Godfather (1972)
- The Apartment (1960)
- The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)

- The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
- Casablanca (1942)
- How Green Was My Valley (1941)