Amadeus is a 1984 American period biographical drama film directed by Miloš Forman, adapted by Peter Shaffer from his stage play Amadeus. The film portrays the life of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart through the eyes of his jealous rival, Antonio Salieri. The narrative structure of the film is a series of flashbacks, as Salieri tells his story to a priest while confined in an insane asylum.
The film begins with Salieri attempting suicide, after which he is taken to the asylum. There he explains to the priest how he came to be there, starting with his arrival in Vienna as a young man who dreamed of becoming a great composer. He describes the first time he heard Mozart's music and how it immediately knocked him out. Salieri is fascinated by Mozart's talent but also becomes envious and resentful of him, believing that God has given Mozart a divine gift, which he himself lacks.
Salieri becomes desperate to discover Mozart's secrets and to destroy him, ultimately succeeding in undermining his reputation and causing him to die in poverty and obscurity. Salieri is eventually driven mad by his obsession with Mozart, tormented by the idea of his own mediocrity compared to the genius of his rival.
The film's soundtrack is composed entirely of Mozart's music, performed by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields conducted by Sir Neville Marriner. The film won eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor for F. Murray Abraham as Salieri, and Best Director for Forman. It is widely considered one of the greatest films ever made about classical music and one of the best biographical films ever made.