Eric Pleskow, a Jewish refugee from Vienna who went on to become president of United Artists, has died in Westport, Ct., aged 95.
Among his film credits are Amadeus, Dances with Wolves and The Silence of the Lambs.
He introduced millions of Americans to Mozart.
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I remember the Mozart craze after that movie came out. I guess that was a good thing, but I didn’t like how people started believing that Salieri killed Mozart.
R.I.P. Mr. Pleskow!
Amadeus is such a great film with a lot of wisdom – esp. Antonio Salieri saying “I speak for all mediocrities in the world. I am their champion. I am the patron’s saint. Mediocrities everywhere… I absolve you… I absolve you… I absolve you… I absolve you… I absolve you all.”
Except Salieri was not a mediocrity. He was highly regarded and headed Italian opera during the period Mozart was there. He was also responsible for music at the Imperial court. Mozart regarded him highly and they were friends, often playing chamber music together. At the time, Salieri was probably regarded more highly than Mozart in opera (his pieces went out of fashion in the 19th century). Salieri, using his court position, ensured many of Mozart’s compositions were performed in Vienna and gave him considerable support.
Great movie. Great music. Pity most of it was a pack of lies.
Saying Pleskow produced Amadeus is like saying Diaghilev wrote the Rite of Spring.
Pleskow, nevertheless a mighty figure in movies, was head of the studio year paid for Amadeus (at least partially) and there’s no doubt that, under his guidance, Orion and United had great success with important movies. But I think Saul Zaentz would have had something to say about your headline!
Hugely enjoyable regardless of how accurate it may or may not have been.
A big thank you also to Milos Forman, Tom Hulce,
F. Murray Abraham and,of course, to everyone involved in the
making of such a wonderful film.
Note perfect IMO.