Dozens of other awards
This amazing film called Amadeus (1984) portraying the feud between the brilliant composer and free-spirited Wolfgang A. Mozart and his rival, envious Antonio Salieri, eventually won eight Oscars, thirteen Oscar nominations and dozens of other awards, including four Golden Globes.
The première in London was attended by Prince Charles and Princess Diana, and the scenes short in what was then socialist Prague, which stood in for Vienna, was overseen by the State Security forces.
Mozart versus his rival Salieri
To celebrate the 40th anniversary of Amadeus (1984), we could highlight its lasting impact on both cinema and Czechia. The film not only brought international attention to Prague's stunning historical architecture but also solidified Miloš Forman's reputation as a visionary director (the man behind cult films such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest starring Jack Nicholson, the successful rock musical Hair and the drama Ragtime).
Prague scenery
Amadeus was filmed mainly in Prague, at Hradčany and in the streets of Lesser Town. Mozart performed before the Emperor in the Nostitz Theatre (now called Estates Theatre), he borrowed masks for a masquerade ball in Nerudova street, an improvised marketplace was set up on Maltézské náměstí and Amadeus married Constanze in St. Giles' Church in the Old Town.
The filmmakers built a sanatorium in Invalidovna in Karlin; scenes were also shot in the residence of the Archbishop of Prague, and outside Prague the crew headed to the Archbishop's Chateau in Kroměříž and the chateau of Veltrusy.
Mozart loved Prague
Maybe you’re wondering why this film was made in Czechia. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart visited Prague and the surrounding region several times, loved the city and its people, and completed his famous opera Don Giovanni there. Learn more about this story in our article titled Mozart - Prague - Hollywood.
