I am very disappointed that Amadeus is not on the AFI top 100 list. In 1985 it was the most popular film in history of the world. Sadly, people today are not connecting with the genius of this film.

One of the brilliant scenes occurs at the beginning when the young priest visits Solieri in the asylum and says, “all men are created equal in the eyes of God.” And Solieri replys, “Are they?” with subtle contempt for the lack of understanding this young priest has for reality. This example of sublime foreshadowing demonstrates the subtle beauty of this film. This understated elegance melds with the glorious music.

Another example of this subtle direction is during the gate scene. Near the end of the story, the funeral of Mozart begins with his Lacrymosa from the death Mass. As this music is playing in the background you see all of the characters walk to the gate of the city and stop, in the rain, as Mozart’s coffin rides on to the graveyard. This highly symbolic moment makes me cry everytime. This scene forces us all, as the mourners in the film, to stop at the gates of our own mediocry as true genius passes on to eternity. This is the message of the whole film told in a chilling, sad moment. As the mourners cry, and me too, we don’t cry for Mozart. We cry over the subliminal knowledge that we have been touched by greatness and we can never measure up to it.

A truly moving and humbling story. A lesson for us all. Put this film back on the Top 100 list.