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The Magic Flute [2006]
from Revolver Entertainment
starring Joseph Kaiser, Amy Carson, Rene Pape, Lyubov Petrova, Stephen Fry
directed by Kenneth Branagh

Features:

• PAL

Customer Reviews:

• Avg. Customer Rating: 4.5 / 5.0

• Hmm...
  Love Branagh. Hate opera. Thought I'd give this a shot and I quite enjoyed it but I am not converted. Helped that it was in English. However, what I don't like about Opera is the way, particularly the women sing, it is not a natural noise. I don't understand what they are trying to say and the plot is pretty mad in any case so it being unclear is not great. What would have REALLY helped is subtitles. There are none and I think that is really a missed opportunity.

• Sounds great and looks pretty but a little boring.
  Let me say first that this production is beautifully sung - the soundtrack is truly fab. The Magic Flute is one of my all-time favourites. There are no sub-titles available which is a bit of a nuissance in places because of the new translation by Stephen Fry. It's not so much of a translation as new lyrics. The problem with new lyrics is that the music was written for the old ones. These don't scan quite so well.
  The WW1 idea is a good one and the film is beautifully shot. It is, perhaps a bit too... more info

• The Magic Flute: The Movie
  Why only 4 stars.
  The truth is that we enjoyed the DVD of the Magic Flute filmed at the Drottningholm theatre in Sweden more. Title: Die Zauberflote - Mozart [1989]'
  This is a movie, with lots of CGI and special effects, camera angles etc. etc.
  In general the cinematic work detracts or distracts from the essential basis: the opera as written. Just placing a camera in front of the stage at Drottningholm was more effective - you can concentrate on the opera itself.
  In some places it is... more info

• Visually stunning and sumptuous film: a wonderful "Magic Flute"!
  My wife and I both thoroughly enjoyed this Kenneth Brannagh film of Mozart's "The Magic Flute".
  We are keen opera goers and have seen the opera a number of times in the theatre, as well as having a CD recording at home. So, you might think, we were bound to like it....perhaps you're right, but Brannagh's adaptation is extremely modern and may not be to the taste of all traditional opera goers.
  If you have ever seen a Matthew Bourne ballet then you will understand what I mean when I say that... more info

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