Wolfgang A. Mozart

A lot of people compare this movie to the ultra-famous AMADEUS by Milos Forman and, indeed, there are similarities between the two films. However, while AMADEUS is a dramatisation, a vision by P. Schaffer, the legacy of the composer seen by the jealous eye of Salieri, from the standpoint of his rival, here is it a typical biopic of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. As penned by Zdenek Mahler and directed by Juraj Herz with contribution by Kurt J. Mrkvicka, this movie is a retelling of a story, of a short life but a life immensely rich in its legacy. There are a few reasons why I consider it a must-see for anyone interested in the composer's life.

First of all, when contemporary people hear the name MOZART, they usually associate it with Vienna. And rightly so because he is one of the three major Viennese composers along with Haydn and Beethoven. But, he was born in Salzburg, a pearl of the Salzkammergut area where he breathed music from his earliest years and the first 30 minutes of the film are dedicated to his childhood. The story is set in Salzburg, filmed in Salzburg with the family background, including Mozart's mother and sister, whom we don't find in other films about the composer. A genius child, however, grown an emotional bond with his father Leopold (played by Toni Boehm) He is taught music by him and soon plays the piano at the imperial court in Vienna and the papal court in Rome. The little Mozart is wonderful in the film, so brave and so genuine saying "The concert must be difficult"...what a line uttered by a child. There is a lovely scene filled with later anticipation of his career when he plays at Maria Theresia's (the empress at the time), a little dog runs to him and Mozart says to a little princess "I'll marry you when I grow up"...As he did not become a prince in the very meaning of this word, he became a prince of music, in a way, or even an emperor.

Secondly, it is Alexander Lutz's performance that makes the film memorable. The actor from Vienna does not portray Mozart in the same manner as Tom Hulce did in AMADEUS. There is no imitation and that is good because that would be barely creative. Lutz indeed does not leave such a lasting impact on the viewer with the loud laughter that rings in your ears long after you have finished watching the movie but I think that Lutz's Mozart is more reliable historically. He is childish yes, and childlike at the same time; he is stubborn, ridiculous at certain moments; he is also peculiar in decisions and prone to influences of certain people and situations; he is ignorant, yet he is a person who manages to maintain the flame of the divine talent placed upon his mind and heart. He makes a credible Mozart in the scene in Rome when, together with his father, he secretly listens to Allegri Miserere and is caught by the Swiss guard (the beautiful notes of the music were kept secret in the Vatican for many years). He is memorable as the one who plays his compositions to the archbishop and makes him "stay in church for longer." He is really appealing to us as a friend of billiards game with Casanova. Finally, he is so tragic as a member of freemasonry and a devoted man who becomes sort of "slave to his music" and addicted to quite "harmful sources of inspiration."

Besides, the movie can boast a wonderful use of Mozart's music. Different masterpieces are incorporated in the scenes and dramatized with the events from Mozart's life; such as the opera DON GIOVANNI or the famous AVE VERUM that he composes in church and leaves certain of his listeners awe inspired. Many, however, do not appreciate his talent and use him for their own means. There is a wonderful scene when he compares himself to his favourite bird that dies 'misunderstood.' The music parallels to joys and sorrows of his life, resembles those rises and falls, depicts a man filled with torments.

I wish there were more scenes that depict the relation of Mozart and emperor Josef II. We have those mentions, there is one moment when Mozart simply submits to the timetable of the emperor's day and gives a concert at 5 in the morning in the park. But that was far better developed in AMADEUS.

An ORF / ZDF production that we could once see on our Polish TV left a lasting impression on me and I would definitely recommend people to see this film as a slightly different view on the composer's life and legacy: perhaps, one of the if not the greatest musical genius of all time.

Just standing at the monument of Mozart in the Viennese Burggarten, I wondered how many more sublime compositions we would have now if he had lived for these 10 or 20 years longer. However, great geniuses usually come and go soon...