"An Unmistakable Stab at the USSR": Could Amadeus Be the Most Misunderstood Oscar Winner Ever?
Released 40 years ago this month, Miloš Forman's Amadeus became an instant classic, winning eight Oscars including Best Picture. However, over the years, critics have pointed to the film’s numerous historical inaccuracies, leading many to question its authenticity. Yet, a closer look at Amadeus reveals that its true focus wasn’t necessarily on the life of Mozart, but rather on a broader, more politically charged allegory that draws comparisons to the Cold War.
A Fictionalized Rivalry Between Mozart and Salieri
The film, based on Peter Shaffer’s play of the same name, follows the rivalry between two composers: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Antonio Salieri. Set in the late 18th century, it dramatizes Salieri’s jealousy of Mozart’s natural genius and his subsequent sabotage of Mozart's career. However, the portrayal of these historical figures is far from accurate.
Mozart is shown as a vulgar, self-indulgent genius, while Salieri is depicted as a devout but bitter man who seeks to destroy Mozart. Critics have decried these inaccuracies, particularly the portrayal of Salieri as a man of piety with a passion for undermining Mozart, while in reality, Salieri had a family and was known for his contributions to the classical music scene. Additionally, Mozart's infamous death in a pauper's grave is depicted in the film, although historical records show he received a proper funeral.
Forman’s Cold War Allegory
Despite the historical inaccuracies, the essence of Amadeus lies in its allegorical message. Forman, a Czech filmmaker who fled Soviet oppression, used the rivalry between Mozart and Salieri to represent the Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union. Salieri, an establishment figure, embodies the Soviet system – rigid, bureaucratic, and stifling creativity.
In contrast, Mozart represents the free-spirited, brilliant, and individualistic genius that was often crushed under the weight of state-sponsored conformity. The depiction of Mozart as a "rebellious genius" aligns with Forman’s own opposition to Soviet-era censorship and repression.
Mozart as the Underdog in the Face of Bureaucracy
Salieri’s jealousy towards Mozart reflects the real-world dynamics of artistic and intellectual repression in Soviet Russia. Forman crafted Salieri’s character as someone who could never match Mozart’s brilliance and thus sought to undermine him, paralleling the Soviet bureaucracy’s suppression of independent thought and creativity. Mozart’s genius, unrestricted by the state’s limitations, stands in stark contrast to the controlled, oppressive nature of Salieri's world.
As the film progresses, the repressive power of the state becomes more apparent, with the court of Emperor Joseph II – a figurehead of authoritarian control – playing a significant role in stifling Mozart's success. Forman uses this dynamic to highlight the suffocating influence of totalitarian regimes on art and culture.
The Allegorical Elements of Amadeus
The film’s visual and thematic choices reinforce this Cold War allegory. The Habsburg Empire in which the story is set mirrors the structure of the Soviet Union. The grand masquerade balls evoke the confusion and paranoia of totalitarian states, where identities are masked and mistrust reigns.
Salieri’s role as a reluctant spy for the court adds another layer of Soviet-like surveillance, reflecting the ways in which governments monitor and control their citizens, particularly artists and dissidents. Furthermore, the dramatic scene of Mozart's body being discarded in a mass grave symbolizes the erasure of individual identity, a practice reminiscent of Stalinist purges and the totalitarian regime’s disregard for human life.
Forman's Personal Connection to the Cold War
Forman’s own experiences as a refugee from Soviet oppression informed much of Amadeus. Having witnessed the Prague Spring and its subsequent suppression by Soviet forces, Forman understood firsthand the impact of authoritarianism on creative expression.
His previous work, such as One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), also reflected his disdain for bureaucratic power and his belief in the importance of individual freedom. The theme of an individual struggling against the system resonates throughout his films, making Amadeus an extension of this broader ideological stance.
Mozart's Genius Triumphs Over the State
Despite the film’s emphasis on historical inaccuracies, its conclusion is a powerful statement on the triumph of genius over oppressive systems. By the time Salieri confesses to his role in Mozart's death, the composer’s legacy has already surpassed the control of the state. The emotional scene where Salieri admits his envy highlights the enduring power of Mozart’s work – a work that lives on long after the bureaucratic figures who sought to suppress it have faded into obscurity.