F. Murray Abraham

From his opening cry of "Mozart! I killed you!" Mr. Abraham portrays Antonio Salieri of Amadeus as a sympathetic yet scheming and manipulative villain. Driven to distraction by the misfortune of a mediocre composer chancing to live in the same time and place as one of the most magnificent musicians of all time, Salieri follows the path of Cool Bad Guys everywhere and vows to destroy his rival. The promise of great evil is already apparent upon their first meeting, when Salieri is horrorstruck by the realization that this great musician was merely a Wild and Vulgar boy. With a very annoying laugh. We're suprised more people didn't hate him for it.

Salieri is a subtle and cool villain, whether leaking information about Mozart's new works to the imperial officers, encouraging Frau Mozart to divulge "Wolfie's" work habits, or sending a spy to the Mozart house in the form of a shy maid. He even keeps his calm when the Emperor is slaughtering his most recent composition with Mozart in earshot, and remains dignified when The Creature rewrites it much more elaborately and delicately right there in front of him.

Eventually completing an absolute turn-around from his earlier pious state, Salieri vows to destroy Mozart, whom he views as God taunting him. He even burns a crucifix. How's that for evil? Salieri finally achieves his goal, preying upon his enemy's psychological weaknesses, and is present when Mozart dies. But did he die from exhaustion, or did he have a little help along the way?

Coolness:
Badness:
Guyness: (points off for hose and powdered wigs)

Moonstone

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