42 Years Later, We Received 'Amadeus' Remake, but It's Still Better to Rewatch the Original

At the end of the year, the series Amadeus, a new adaptation of Peter Shaffer's famous play about Mozart and Salieri, was released.

Although the creators produced a technically competent work, their attempt to modernize the classic only confirmed the enduring power of Miloš Forman's 1984 Oscar-winning film.

What Is 'Amadeus' About?

Set in 18th-century Vienna, the story is told from the perspective of the aging court composer Antonio Salieri. As he reminisces about his life, Salieri returns to the moment when the young, incredibly gifted Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart arrived in the capital.

Overwhelmed by Mozart's genius and his own creative limitations, Salieri is consumed by envy, driving him toward a path of hidden revenge.

'Amadeus' Is an Unnecessary Remake That Falls Short of the 1984 Masterpiece

The main problem with Amadeus isn't its technical execution, but its profound ideological and emotional incompatibility with the original.

While Forman's Amadeus was a monumental, grotesque exploration of divine gifts and human insignificance, the new version is restrained, safe, and mediocre.

Although writer Joe Burton remains faithful to the story and adds contemporary touches, the result resembles a high-quality but hastily produced amateur production, lacking any true scale or divine spark.

The Performances Only Highlight the Gap Between the Two Versions of 'Amadeus'

A comparison of the leading actors illustrates the difference in approach. Despite his masterful performance, Paul Bettany plays Salieri too mechanically and impenetrably.

His monologues seem rehearsed, and his appeals to God and confessions lack the heartfelt fury and despair that captivated audiences in the performance of Oscar winner F. Murray Abraham.

Will Sharpe is charming as Mozart, but his character lacks the explosive, chaotic, almost blasphemous energy that Tom Hulce brought to the role. Sharpe's Mozart is too stable and emotionally detached, which undermines the central conflict: the clash between divine genius and refined artisan.

Is 'Amadeus' Worth Watching?

Amadeus is hardly a failure – it's a professionally crafted, occasionally witty drama that attempts to engage modern audiences in a discussion about envy, talent, and mediocrity.

However, in its quest for clarity and relevance, the series loses the soul of the story: the divine note Salieri hears in Mozart's music.

While the series may entertain those unfamiliar with Forman's work, true connoisseurs will merely use it as an excuse to reimmerse themselves in the brilliant, wild, and inimitable 1984 film.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Amadeus'?

• Amadeus has 82% from critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 5.3/10.

Where to Watch 'Amadeus'?

Amadeus is available to stream on Now TV.