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AMADEUS script analysis

AMADEUS script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Amadeus follows Salieri’s obsessive envy of Mozart from Salieri’s confession in a hospital through Mozart’s rise and tragic demise. It tracks Salieri’s initial admiration, subsequent jealousy-fueled sabotage, and ultimate confession of poisoning Mozart’s life. The Requiem commission becomes the emotional climax and Salieri’s final revelation his confessional coda.

65 Save the Cat fit score 12% analysis confidence / 100 parsed scenes

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1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / Page 1 / 1% target

15%

The film opens with Old Salieri in distress behind a locked door, establishing the dramatic frame.

Mozart! Mozart! Mozart. Forgive me! Forgive your assassin! Mozart!
2

Theme Stated

Scene 6 / Page 1 / 5% target

14%

Father Vogler’s line ‘In the sight of God that is a sin’ frames the moral question of divine justice.

In the sight of God that is a sin.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-4 / Page 1 / 10% target

13%

We learn Salieri’s role, his breakdown, and the servants discovering him bleeding, setting up his fall.

4

Catalyst

Scene 7 / Page 1 / 12% target

13%

Salieri first spies on Mozart’s playful genius, triggering his obsession.

Miaouw! Miaouw! Mouse-wouse? It's Puss-wuss, fangs-wangs. Paws-claws. Pounce-bounce!
5

Debate

Scenes 16-17 / Page 1 / 20% target

12%

Salieri debates God’s fairness as he studies Mozart’s score and cries ‘Why? Would God choose an obscene child…’

Why? Would God choose an obscene child to be His instrument? It was not to be believed! This...
6

Break into Two

Scene 31 / Page 1 / 25% target

12%

Salieri prays for Mozart to be sent away, committing to action against him.

7

B Story

Scene 33 / Page 1 / 30% target

12%

Mozart’s marriage to Constanze provides the emotional counterpoint to Salieri’s obsession.

8

Fun and Games

Scenes 58-60 / Page 1 / 40% target

11%

The masquerade and musical hijinks showcase Mozart’s irreverent brilliance and Salieri’s growing torment.

9

Midpoint

Scenes 61-62 / Page 1 / 50% target

11%

Salieri recalls his public humiliation and vows ‘That was God laughing at me,’ marking the emotional midpoint.

That was not Mozart laughing, Father. That was God. That was God! God laughing at me through that...
10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 72-73 / Page 1 / 65% target

11%

An official rips pages from Mozart’s score and Mozart seeks Salieri’s help, tension rising.

Taking out what you should never have put in.
11

All Is Lost

Scene 81 / Page 1 / 75% target

10%

A chaotic comedic performance dramatizes Mozart’s professional nadir and Salieri’s despair.

Who the devil are you? What do you want?
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scene 93 / Page 1 / 80% target

10%

Constanze leaves Mozart, plunging him and Salieri into deepest crisis.

She's not coming back, you know. She's gone for good. I did it and I'm proud of it....
13

Break into Three

Scene 86 / Page 1 / 85% target

11%

Salieri, in disguise, commissions the Requiem, setting the final confrontation in motion.

A Mass for the dead.
14

Finale

Scenes 96-99 / Page 1 / 95% target

11%

Mozart’s feverish Requiem composition under Salieri’s dictation culminates the story’s conflict.

15

Final Image

Scene 100 / Page 1 / 99% target

12%

Old Salieri’s confession ‘I poisoned his life’ closes the frame and reveals his ultimate guilt.

I poisoned his life.