Casting the film of "Amadeus"

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 7/12/08 at 6:29pm

I have heard on several interviews with F. Murray Abraham when he talks of his casting in the film of "Amadeus" he says things like "I knew who was trying to get this role" or "there were several English Actors who were hiring make-up crews for their auditions".

I know that Paul Scofield originated the part in London and Ian McKellan on Broadway. Were they amoung those that F. Murrary Abrahma was refering to?

Also, who might have also been in contention for Mozart besides Tom Hulce? I know that Simon Callow and Tim Curry did the part in London and on Broadway respectively, but who was in the mix for the movie?

Also, since we're on the topic of the play, is Mozart's father not in the play? He is a large presence in the film, but I didn't see the part when I looked on ibdb.com.

[Weez]

Posted: 7/12/08 at 6:33pm

Nope, no father. The play is VERY Salieri; I guess Daddy Mozart made it into the film to give the Mozart side of things more screentime. :3 I'll give the play a proper flick-through and see if Leopold is mentioned much...

[MTVMANN]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 1:43pm

Anyone else?

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 2:13pm

I'm not sure who was in the running for the two main parts. I can imagine the stage actors were definitely considered, whether they screen tested or not.

The biggest "drama" during the casting of this film was for Constanze, Mozart's wife. Meg Tily had the part initially, and then had to drop out suddenly before filming. I can't remember why, but she was either very sick or broke her foot, or something like that.

So, they had TWO other actresses heavily in the running. Elizabeth Berridge who played the part, and another "well known" actress. They don't say her name on the DVD though. The horrible part was that Milos Forman couldn't make up his mind between the two, so he started filming with BOTH of them. They actually were both on the set together, and filmed several scenes (for I believe almost a week!) next to each other. They would shoot everything twice. It wasn't until after a few days that he made his choice. Berridge talks about how uncomfortable and nerve-wracking that was.

I can only imagine.

[scrappy]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 2:24pm

kenneth branagh was the other actor they wanted for mozart...

[best12bars]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 2:29pm

I'm guessing they would have seen the "usual suspects" of the day for Salieri, back in 1983-84 when this was in production.

It probably would have included Ben Kingsley (fresh off his Oscar win), Anthony Hopkins, even Michael Caine. I'm sure they were all on the short list.

It's to Forman's credit that he went with a brilliantly talented unknown. I can't see anyone else being better in the part than F. Murray Abraham. It's one of the finest screen performances of the past 25 years.

Updated On: 7/13/08 at 02:29 PM

[ray-andallthatjazz86]

Posted: 7/13/08 at 3:07pm

I truly wonder who this "well-known" actress was.

[PitPro2004]

Posted: 7/14/08 at 10:47am

"The biggest "drama" during the casting of this film was for Constanze, Mozart's wife. Meg Tily had the part initially, and then had to drop out suddenly before filming. I can't remember why, but she was either very sick or broke her foot, or something like that"

According to the interviews on the Director's Cut DVD, Meg Tily was played ball with some children in the street and hurt herself right before shooting started. Tore ligaments in her knee, something to that extent.