Peter Shaffer

Amadeus -- Based upon a Viennese urban legend, recounts the downfall of musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as orchestrated by his nemesis, the less talented but politically favored Antonin Salieri.

Based on Peter Shaffer's West End and Broadway success, Five Finger Exercise is a sensitive and powerful domestic drama in which the corrosive effects of an insensitive father and an intellectual poseur of a mother take on tragic consequences for their offspring, and for the young German tutor lodging with them.

F. Murray Abraham earned a Best Actor Oscar for his imperious performance as Antonio Salieri, a mediocre composer whose churlish young rival, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Tom Hulce), wins immortality with his musical genius. Not happy to see his talent eclipsed, Salieri dons a disguise and deviously plots revenge, obsessed with muffling Mozart's maddening laughter. Milos Forman's masterful drama also won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Director.

Based upon a Viennese urban legend, recounts the downfall of musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as orchestrated by his nemesis, the less talented but politically favored Antonin Salieri.

Based upon a Viennese urban legend, recounts the downfall of musical genius Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart as orchestrated by his nemesis, the less talented but politically favored Antonin Salieri.

Richard Burton plays a psychiatrist probing the troubled mind of a young stable boy who blinded six horses in his care. While the doctor tries to understand his patient's motives, he uncovers madness of his own design. This adaptation of the play by Peter Shaffer received three Academy Award nods, including Best Actor for Burton. Joan Plowright also gives an affecting turn as the stable boy's influential mother. Sidney Lumet directs.

Based on Peter Shaffer's West End and Broadway success, FIVE FINGER EXERCISE is a sensitive and powerful domestic drama in which the corrosive effects of an insensitive father and an intellectual poseur of a mother take on tragic consequences for their offspring, and for the young German tutor lodging with them.

Based on Peter Shaffer's West End and Broadway success, FIVE FINGER EXERCISE is a sensitive and powerful domestic drama in which the corrosive effects of an insensitive father and an intellectual poseur of a mother take on tragic consequences for their offspring, and for the young German tutor lodging with them.