Alex Raphael Sporadic Scene: Amadeus (1984) – Mozart Meeting with the Emperor

I have yet another guest contributor for my Sporadic Scene segment. Today I would like to welcome Alex of Alex Raphael with his scene. Thank you so much Alex!

If you have a scene that you would like featured, drop me a mail at sporadiczoe@hotmail.com with a picture/gif/video of the scene and an explanation as to why (should you want to include it).

I love individual rivalries. It’s one of the big reasons I am such a sports fan. Ali v Frasier, Senna v Prost, Borg v MacEnroe, Magic Johnson v Bird, Coe v Ovett. It’s more unusual to find them in film, even in sporting ones. And even more curiously, one of the most fascinating and absorbing rivalries on film is found in a period drama. The relationship between Mozart and Salieri may not be as evenly matched as those mentioned previously, but it is no less fascinating. The scene below is so brilliant because it sums up so much of the bitterness that can be found in a competitive situation when one candidate is just better than the other. While Salieri may have the manners, discretion and reputation that Mozart lacks, Mozart will always have that outrageous talent. Even in an environment that would count as “home turf” for Salieri, Mozart is able to showboat while mocking the opposition. And the fact Mozart doesn’t realise his cruelty just makes it all the funnier.