Amadeus: Original or DC?
#1
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Amadeus: Original or DC?
I have never seen the film before and would like to know which version is better to watch for the first time. I'm not looking to purchase the film (I already know that the Director's Cut is vastly superior to the original disc) just to rent.
#2
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I've never seen it personally (though I hope to sooner rather than later), but every review I've read has said the theatrical version is a better edit than the DC (of course, the same is true of APOCALYPSE NOW, but I prefer the REDUX edit).
#3
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I've see both, and I prefer the Theatrical Cut over the Director's Cut. I don't mind the Director's Cut or the new scenes that it incorporates, but the Theatrical Cut is one of my favorite films, so it's hard to give that up over a new version.
#4
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
Living in Prague, I just wanna say that anybody who's coming to Prague should see this film first. Or directly afterward. Or during their stay.
It was directed by a Czech director and almost completely filmed in Prague (despite the city pretending to be Vienna in almost every shot). Milos Forman is about as close to a household name as you can get in the Czech Republic. Only Vaclav Havel (and maybe Vaclav Klaus) would beat him out... Well, at least, in terms of fame and not notoriety.
I don't know if I remember seeing the Theatrical Cut. I think I only have the DC.
-ringding-
It was directed by a Czech director and almost completely filmed in Prague (despite the city pretending to be Vienna in almost every shot). Milos Forman is about as close to a household name as you can get in the Czech Republic. Only Vaclav Havel (and maybe Vaclav Klaus) would beat him out... Well, at least, in terms of fame and not notoriety.
I don't know if I remember seeing the Theatrical Cut. I think I only have the DC.
-ringding-
#8
Its funny but this is one of those films that i saw a long time ago, was bored and dismissed. However for some reason i bought it earlier on this year on DVD and i have fallen in love with the film. I actually got the directors cut and i find it to be excellent overall. There are some scenes that could be cut or shortened, but i find that they add to the film overall. An excellent film that is deserving of the praise given to it.
#9
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The added scenes in the DC are certainly fascinating, and in fact, add some more depth to what is already a great flick.
However, I, too, prefer the original cut. I also like the music only track which strangely is not available on the DC.
However, I, too, prefer the original cut. I also like the music only track which strangely is not available on the DC.
#11
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Originally Posted by Jippy
Was the original cut anamorphic? Too lazy to check other sites .
#12
DVD Talk Limited Edition
The Original Cut of Amadeus is better, but the Director's Cut doesn't ruin the movie like some DC's do. So I recommend watching the OC if you can, but if the DC is the only version available, it'll be fine - the greatness of the movie still comes through.
#14
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I don't have a strong opinion either way. I can understand the support for the theatrical cut. The Director's Cut additions don't add a ton of extra value or enhance it enough to make it superior. Therefore, the theatrical cut is a much tighter presentation. Both are great so nobody will be upset regardless of which they watch
#15
DVD Talk Limited Edition
Originally Posted by Filmmaker
What's lacking in this discussion is some real clarification on what exactly makes the theatrical cut better.
(However, because the added scenes are at least worth-seeing, they don't ruin the movie like some DC's of other movies with mostly worthless scenes added back in.)
#16
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
I prefer the Director's Cut. It sheds a lot more light on Mozart's money situation, as well as Constanze's hatred of Salieri, which were two important plot issues.
#17
Senior Member
I agree with Vipper. Plus, I found the readdition of Forman favorite Kenneth McMillan (as the Elector) into the film interesting and not that much of a drag on the plot.
The only thing I really miss from the OC is the music-only track. The extras for the DC FAR outweigh it otherwise.
Plus, in general the DC just seems so much more TONALLY balanced. The OC is well-made, but shrill and nearly manic-depressive for 75 percent of the film.
A shroud of doom hangs over the movie from practically the start. The DC, however, is much more of a slice-of-life view of Mozart's time.
The only thing I really miss from the OC is the music-only track. The extras for the DC FAR outweigh it otherwise.
Plus, in general the DC just seems so much more TONALLY balanced. The OC is well-made, but shrill and nearly manic-depressive for 75 percent of the film.
A shroud of doom hangs over the movie from practically the start. The DC, however, is much more of a slice-of-life view of Mozart's time.
#18
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Theatrical Cut if you've never seen it and want to rent it. Director's Cut if you want to buy it (because of the special features and the fact you don't need to flip the disc).
#20
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by DrRingDing
Living in Prague, I just wanna say that anybody who's coming to Prague should see this film first. Or directly afterward. Or during their stay.
It was directed by a Czech director and almost completely filmed in Prague (despite the city pretending to be Vienna in almost every shot). Milos Forman is about as close to a household name as you can get in the Czech Republic. Only Vaclav Havel (and maybe Vaclav Klaus) would beat him out... Well, at least, in terms of fame and not notoriety.
I don't know if I remember seeing the Theatrical Cut. I think I only have the DC.
-ringding-
It was directed by a Czech director and almost completely filmed in Prague (despite the city pretending to be Vienna in almost every shot). Milos Forman is about as close to a household name as you can get in the Czech Republic. Only Vaclav Havel (and maybe Vaclav Klaus) would beat him out... Well, at least, in terms of fame and not notoriety.
I don't know if I remember seeing the Theatrical Cut. I think I only have the DC.
-ringding-
#22
DVD Talk Legend
Originally Posted by Vipper II
I prefer the Director's Cut. It sheds a lot more light on Mozart's money situation, as well as Constanze's hatred of Salieri, which were two important plot issues.
I never did understand her hatred for Salieri at the end of the film and it always struck me as a little misplaced. After seeing the deleted scene where he completely strips her of her dignity, it is quite understandable.
The only scene that I dislike that was added back in was the scene in the opera lady's dressing room. It is entirely unnecessary and repeats info we have already been given (kinda like the added in Jabba scene in Star Wars).
Hell, any new scene is welcome in this movie if it includes music. One of the greatest soundtracks of all time (and yes, I know the music had been released before ).
I grew up on the theatrical cut and having seen it, honestly, near two dozen or more times, I greatly prefer the Director's Cut. Hell, if they gave me a six hour version of this movie I wouldn't complain. It is one of the few movies that I have never tire of.