Why So Blu?

Amadeus (Theatrical Cut) (4K UHD Blu-ray Review)

40 years ago, the past was having a bit of a resurgence.  Linda Ronstadt was topping the pop charts with an album of old-time standards with a full orchestra.  In theaters we were taken back in time with films like The Color Purple and Amadeus. With Amadeus, Milos Forman and playwright Peter Schaffer crafted a gloriously accessible period drama that could excite, stun, and incite laughter in anyone. Now in 2025, for the first time since 2002 the Theatrical Cut has been made available on home media for the first time.  Amadeus won the Oscar for Best Picture along with seven other awards and deservedly so.  Let’s go back with Wolfie and the orchestra and see what it was like living with a made-up rivalry with Antonio Salieri…

Film

Beginning in 1823, we meet an aged and sickly Antonia Sallieri (F. Murray Abraham). He has just attempted to kill himself and has been committed to a mental hospital. As he is being admitted he confesses to murdering Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  Learning this shocking news, Father Vogler, the priest on duty asks Sallieri to confess to God.  At first offended that Vogler does not recognize any of his songs, Sallieri begins to confess and goes back to tell his side of the untold rivalry.

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. Sallieri’s father dies, and this is his sign that God has accepted the deal. As court composer, Sallieri gets by knowing that Emperor Joseph (Jeffrey Jones) is basically tone deaf.

Moving forward, Salieri documents his first meeting with Mozart.  He discusses his shock of Mozart being obscene, chasing a woman around and flirting with her, saying vulgar things. He is further offended that Mozart plays the music he creates and stores the notes and music in his head, rather than writing it down. At this point Salieri vows revenge on God and Mozart.  To get the revenge Salieri will kill Mozart.

Where Salieri is not wrong is in his thoughts on Mozart’s music.  While it is contemporary and incredible, it is also ahead of its time.  For a moment, this makes it hard for Mozart to find work. Now in debt and married with pregnant wife Constanze, Mozart begins to clash with Emperor Joseph.  Much to Salieri’s dismay, Mozart also finds his compositions mediocre making any attempts to bond moot.

Mozart attempts to create operas: The Marriage of Figaro (a comedic opera) and Don Giovanni (based on the death of his father) both of which get cancelled either by the Emperor or by Salieri.  This leads Mozart to compose The Magic Flute this time for the Commoner’s Theater, which leads to major success.

Salieri’s next attempt in his murder plot involves a trick.  He plans to get Mozart to create a requiem for his “resurrected” father.  Donning a mask that Mozart’s father once wore, he demands Mozart compose the requiem and Mozart accepts.  This trickery begins to drive Mozart further insane.  Mozart spends his days drinking and “taking medicine” according to a skittish maid Sallieri has planted in Mozart’s apartment.

Salieri continues to beg Mozart to continue composing despite Mozart’s health waning.  Worse still, Constanze leaves with their child. We learn that Salieri’s plan is to steal the requiem from Mozart as soon as he is dead and then premiere it at Mozart’s funeral as his own, thus getting his revenge.  In the end, as you know, Salieri outlived Mozart.

Amadeus is made with the sure hand of Milos Forman.  It’s an exceptional depth that gives the film such texture.  The layered performances and the quick cuts in the story make for a very fast 160 minutes.  F. Murray Abraham plays the contemptable Salieri pitch perfect. Tom Hulce’s impish Mozart is so fun with his laugh like a tick and his energy so hyper he could leap from the screen.  Supporting cast members give a lot even in small roles.

The period set pieces and costuming are flawless.  Filmed in Prague, the film looks and feels authentic.  Music of course is stunning throughout.  Now, 40 years removed from its original release Amadeus remains a perfect film.

Now, how does the film feel as its theatrical cut after 23 years of director’s cut? It feels right! I have seen both cuts, but forgotten how those added moments, while decent, slow Amadeus way down.  It’s a shame because the film as it’s presented here flows so nicely.  There’s not let up as you barrel through this fictional rivalry tale of Mozart and Salieri.

So, 40 years later, Wolfie is here in 4K.  In a pink wig and an opulent outfit, the composer is as radiant as ever.  Fans of the film will know this is a big deal release this year. And Salieri is probably in a state of unrest knowing this release is available now… Mozart is still being recognized while he’s still renouncing God! Maybe a new requiem is in order?

Video

Encoding: HEVC / H.265

Resolution: 2160p

Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

HDR: HDR10

Layers: BD-100

Clarity/Detail: Amadeus is given a faithful 4K restoration here.  Filmic and organic to the source, the newly restored theatrical cut has never looked better.  Textures remain intact and detail is evident in every frame.  Typical softness from the older source is apparent but not distracting with plenty of life in every frame even in low light.

Depth: Softness comes in the corners of some shots here and there with some of the deeper set pieces losing some minute details on occasion.  Being that the film is 40 years old, there would be a big mistake in assuming there would be utter perfection in how things were lensed back then.

Black Levels: Blacks are excellent here, mostly aided using natural light, often candles in darker scenes.  Shadow details are wonderful too.

Color Reproduction: Colors are mostly basic here but as intended, looking natural for that time.  The pink wig is cotton candy colored, while reds look slightly de-saturated to reflect the dyeing style of that time.  Foliage greens stand out and some of the lighter blues really pop also. Light highlights are nice and bright as needed too.

Flesh Tones: Skin tones are natural with nothing overly peachy.

Noise/Artifacts: The overall look is clean with a consistent grain layer throughout.

Audio

Audio Format(s): English DTS HD-MA 5.0, Spanish, French, German, Italian 5.1 Dolby Audio

Subtitles: English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Italian, Korean, Japanese, Mandarin, Finnish, Swedish, Danish, Norwegian

Dynamics: The 5.0 Mix that comes with this release is very close to the Dolby TrueHD 5.1 release of the Blu-ray release. Music and dialogue are the key points of the mix, and they shine bright.  The echoes of the lavish buildings and concert halls are all well purposed here as well.

Height: N/A

Low Frequency Extension: Bass is very subtly used for score

Surround Sound Presentation: Surrounds bring the music all around you filling the room, along with the usual ambience of indoor and outdoor events on screen.

Dialogue: Dialogue is prioritized mostly in the front soundstage.

Extras

Extras are all mostly removed from previous releases, so you may want to hang onto your Blu-rays.  Firstly, this is a theatrical cut only release, but also a one-disc release.  This means they’ve removed most of the bonuses to save on providing a second Blu-ray in the package.  What’s here is not bad by any means, but you’re missing some legacy material.

Bonus Features:

• The Making of Amadeus (New)
• Amadeus: The Making of a Masterpiece

Summary

Amadeus is a fabulous film.  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.  F. Murray Abraham so deserved his Oscar and this film more than earned its Best Picture statue too.  Milos Forman went all in and proved that you can make an accessible historical film. Now we have this historical and culturally resounding film on 4K UHD Blu-ray looking its very best! Let’s hope more people come to it and fall in love with how wonderful it is!

Get your copy of Amadeus HERE