Once Upon a Time in America wasnt even nominated because it was only released as a butchered version in the US but the complete version is 10x better than Amadeus
Yo Amadeus Imma let you finish but Once Upon a Time in america... lol Ok Kanye West whatever. I don't care how good Once upon a time is but Amadeus is a worthy best picture winner any year and America is nowhere close to being 10x better. They're both great films and I wouldn't begrudge either of them the win. The truth is another one of my favourite films, A Passage to India was also nominated that year and failed to win but it doesn't bother me
+link biff From what I understand, Sir Laurence already was suffering from Alzheimer's, so I don't think anyone holds the gaffe against him. But of course, there was a "point" in naming the other nominees. First, it was an honor just to get nominated. For some, that may have been the highlight of their professional life. Saul Zaentz showed more class than you. And, I am speaking as someone who agrees with the choice of "Amadeus." I adore the film.
Luke sol I know there were lots of fantastic films in 1984. But Amadeus is levels above all of them. Not levels above Once Upon a Time in America, just reasonably better.
Once Upon a Time in America wasnt even nominated because it was only released as a butchered version in the US but the complete version is 10x better than Amadeus
To watch F. Murray Abraham‘s acceptance speech for best actor almost brings tears to my eyes. And he’s right...Tom Hulce should’ve been standing right by his side!! What a terrific movie!.
Joey Latino Can you imagine if they had both been able to be honored? It would have been the one and only time it was fitting. It's beautiful that Abraham made sure to honor his friend during his own big moment.
I don't know how it happens, but whenever Jack Lemmon talks about Sir Laurence Olivier he has a tear in his eyes. I guess he was one of the few actors who really understood what Olivier meant for the world of cinema and theatre.
as some of the comments already pointed out, it really didn't matter what the other pictures where. not only was Amadeus the best film of that year, it's a film that's aged like the finest of reds. it's still an outstanding watch. beautiful, thoughtful, brilliantly imagined, hilarious, touching, tragic and so incredibly unforgettable. to this day, it's still one of my absolute favorite films of all time.
Hands together for Saul Zaentz! Laurence Olivier forgot to mention the other nominees, and Zaentz didn't make an issue of it, just classed up and covered him and listed the rest of the films honored that night. Well played, Sir!
Amadeus was the best film of that year, one of the greatest films ever and a truly lavish, superb achievement. The others that year which were and are amazing films are Once Upon a Time in America and The Killing Fields. GREAT year for movies!
That was real classy they way Saul manoeuvred his speech in such a way as to correct the mistake lawerence Oliver made, without embarrassing the great man himself
"When the movie won Best Picture at The 57th Annual Academy Awards (1985), Sir Laurence Olivier was presenting the award. He went up to the podium, opened the envelope and said "Amadeus." The problem was he forgot to read the nominees first. An AMPAS official quickly went onstage to confirm the winner and signalled that all was well, before Olivier then presented the award to producer Saul Zaentz. Olivier (in his 78th year) had been ill for many years, and it was because of mild dementia that he forgot to read the nominees. Zaentz then thanked Olivier, saying it was an honour to receive the award from him, before mentioning the other nominees in his acceptance speech: The Killing Fields (1984), A Passage to India (1984), Places in the Heart (1984) and A Soldier's Story (1984)." - quoted from IMDB
If I was Olivier (FAT CHANCE) I would also be overwhelmed if I received both an touching introduction by a tearful Jack Lemmon (on comparing him to gods, "I apologize for the understatement") and receiving a standing ovation (at a time when those were very rare). Hats off to Mr. Zaentz for finishing the job of mentioning and praising the other nominees. I remember Michael Caine (Yes, I know people did not like his win in 1999 over Tom Cruise) spending half of his acceptance speech praising the other nominees one by one. CONGRATS to one of my favorite movies on its win.
No he said the producers intentionally told him to leave them out as they had already been named all the time before. He could still have said the iconic line "And the Oscar goes to..."
The interesting thing is that in the 20+ years that have passed since he did that role, his voice hasn't changed at all. It's instantly recognizable, even today.
Sir Lawrence Olivier gets a slide. Imagine getting the best picture Oscar from Sir Lawrence Olivier. It doesn’t get ANY better than this in the movie industry.
My father worked for Fantasy/The Saul Zaentz Company and the magic that took place in that building amazed me as a kid. I got to hold an Oscar and meet some big name actors and musicians, incredible place and people.
Just here to say that listening to Jack Lemon reminds me how much class, elocution, and dignity Hollywood has lost in the 21st. I'm not even going to mention Olivier, the comparison to our own time is too painful!
william downey You're really right there. The speeches are So elegant, classy, amazing. Most "stars" of today are just random famous people in comparison. That had to be the best intro I've ever heard. And the stars of Amadeus deserve every award and accolade. Brilliant and beautiful.
I was thinking the same thing, watching this. And honestly, I’m sorry to say many RU-vidrs as well as members of modern day Hollywood won’t know what the word “elocution” even means.
“This man has a personal strength and courage that equal his professional skill…and his daring.” According to Dustin Hoffman, Olivier was still making movies even when his health had deteriorated badly.
it is very sad to see what old age and illness do to such great artistes. he cannot be blamed for that gaffe. Saul zaentz. was very graceful and quick to understand it and honored sir Olivier and the other nominees
He was not "suffering from amnesia." As he explained later, he was so overwhelmed by both Lemmon's introduction and by the audience's reaction that he lost his place and just opened the envelope.
I can watch this movie over and over again. And I remember when I saw this movie for a first time......went straight to the music shop to buy Mozart music.
Tons of respect for this movie; a great period movie in itself, but it also kickstarted the Mozart-Classical music revival, especially with the appearance of the CD around the corner
Saul Zaentz, piss on him. he financed the movie, why should he accept the award? he wasn't an artist, he was a conceited jackass. he made his money cheating other people. the director should have been up there.
Aegis of the Republic YES. The Academy should watch these old RU-vid recordings of days gone by, learn how it should be done, and shape up. It's all so political now, both in the award choices and the speeches. I'm with you. I no longer watch as well. But I'll watch 35 year old Oscar clips like this that still have merit after all these years.
Just finished watching this for the first time in my life I’m only 28 years old it was superb ! I’m hooked ! Ofcourse I saw the directors cut which I wouldn’t watch any other version and every minute of all three hours was hilariously entertaining !!
Right, he didn't mention MILOS FORMAN in his speech. AMADEUS was Milos Forman (Best Director Oscar ), movie, big time. I really wonder why he didn't. AMADEUS was really Milos Forman movie. And YES , movie was a monster !! Funny story... they ( movie studio ) did random showing, strangers... out of the street..... in the middle of the movie it broke for half an hour..... NOBODY left.
I read somewhere that the great Laurence Olivier was suffering from mild dementia at that time due to age. So those who are mocking him should realize this. And Saul Zaentz was also so great in trying to amend that error by acknowledging other nominated movies
Saul Zaentz actually has a perfect Oscar track record. He was nominated for Best Picture three times; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (with Michael Douglas), Amadeus, and The English Patient. He won all three times and the same year he won for The English Patient, Saul also took home the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award.
Laurence Olivier was a great choice for presenter. He directed and starred in a Best Picture adapted from a play (Hamlet) and presented Best Picture to Amadeus, which was also adapted from a play.
I read that Olivier didn't even open the envelope with the winner in it. He couldn't make out the words on the teleprompter, got a little confused and simply read the first name on the alphabetical list of nominees and said that was the winner. Fortunately, that was in fact the actual winner - avoiding an embarrassment like "La La Land".
well deserved , oh yes, I agree, you know soooo much work and wow, the things that went into making this wonderful movie, I absolutely love ❤️ this show,
This was before the entire cast, crew, and cronies stampeded the stage. Not as exciting or energetic, but a bit classier. *I LOVE Jack Lemmon, and Sir Laurence Olivier was such a fine man.* The honorable mention to Audrey Hepburn sealed this beautifully. True legends. RIP&Honor to each and all of them. 💛 "Amadeus" and "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" are two of my favorites in film history. This is a genuinely classic clip.💎
Amadeus is truly one of the best films of all time. A true masterpiece. Olivier didn't need to announce the other nominations. He probably thought so too.
my uncle luis had the soundtrack of amadeus on vinyl, probably he saw the movie so many times that every time that the family was going to visit him he always put the melody number 5 on the vynil number 1, i don´t remember the name very well, but yeah in special the cover of that soundtrack is so well done and impactant same as the movie, sadly mi uncle died in 2004 and probably his wife undone all his favorite music including amadeus soundtrack to the garbage ¡that´s pretty sad!, I must see that movie looks very powerfull.
Jesus of Nazareth was a TV Mini-Series. Couldn’t win the Best Picture Academy Award as it wasn’t a film on the big screen. It was nominated for 2 Emmys though, for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy or Drama Special (James Farentino) and for best Drama or Comedy, but did not win either of them.
jesusfish it was Orion’s film. Warner Bros. just bought the rights later on when the company went under. Just like Fox and MGM owns the rights to the other Orion Best Picture winners Platoon and The Silence of the Lambs.
Sir Laurence Olivier, said to be the greatest actor in history, blew his lines, presumably, because of an illness in his old age (amnesia according to Wikipedia). Saul Zaentz had enough class to mention the other pictures that were nominated but not announced by Sir L.O.
In Oliviers defense, he had Alzheimer’s and didn’t remember to list all the nominees. Wikipedia is wrong. He didn’t have amnesia, he had Alzheimer’s. Plus, Wikipedia isn’t always the most reliable source.
Actually I've seen all of the films nominated in 1984 and it was a banner year, they were all fantastic. But "Amadeus" was such a crowning achievement that it would have been hard to compete against it. It's interesting to compare it to "A Soldier's Story." Both are based on stage plays, but despite the fact that I liked "A Soldier's Story," it felt far more stagey in its filmmaking than did "Amadeus."
If I was the producer at that ceremony, I would probably be struggling a little! You have all the clips ready and then suddenly Olivier just completely skips them all. Ah well, at least he was right. Love this movie so much!
Even worse, the producers didn't know who won. That's why you see one run out on stage to check the envelope. They didn't know if Olivier hadn't just read off the first nominee. They almost had their own Moonlight/La La Land moment.