The Magic Flute (1975)

A production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" is presented, this film which blurs the lines of it as a stage production - not only with aspects of the theater stage ... See full summary »

Director:

Ingmar Bergman (uncredited)

Writers:

Emanuel Schikaneder (libretto), Ingmar Bergman (screenplay)

Stars:

Ulrik Cold, Josef Köstlinger, Irma Urrila

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Josef Köstlinger	...	Tamino
Irma Urrila	...	Pamina
Håkan Hagegård	...	Papageno
Elisabeth Erikson	...	Papagena
Britt-Marie Aruhn	...	Första damen
Kirsten Vaupel	...	Andra damen
Birgitta Smiding	...	Tredje damen
Ulrik Cold	...	Sarastro
Birgit Nordin	...	Nattens Drottning
Ragnar Ulfung	...	Monostatos
Erik Sædén	...	Talaren
Ulf Johansson	...	Andra prästen
Gösta Prüzelius	...	Första prästen
Jerker Arvidson	...	Vakt i Prövningens Hus
Hans Johansson	...	Vakt i Prövningens Hus

Storyline

A production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute" is presented, this film which blurs the lines of it as a stage production - not only with aspects of the theater stage shown, but also the occasional shot of the audience members watching it, and the performers going through their backstage routines during intermission - and a movie as the set moves out from the confines of the stage. The actual story concerns Tamino, a prince, falling in love with Pamina solely from seeing her photograph, Pamina's mother, the Queen of the Night, vowing that Pamina will be his if he rescues her from Sarastro, a demon who has captured her. On behalf of the Queen, three of her attendants, "ladies", who saved Tamino from a serpent, provide him with a magic flute to entice Pamina, and three child angels, who will act as his guides. The ladies also dispatch the pan-flute playing Papageno, a bird catcher who laments not being married himself, with Tamino, they providing him with magic bells ...

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Plot Keywords:

magical instrument | flute | priest | journey | queen | 

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Taglines:

The Magic of Bergman. The Magnificence of Mozart

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Genres:

Comedy | Fantasy | Music | Romance

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Certificate:

G

Did You Know?

Trivia

One of the people shown repeatedly during the overture is Alootook Ipellie, one of Canada's best-known Inuit artists and poets. Ipellie was attending a meeting of the International Inuit Circumpolar Conference in Stockholm during the production, and was picked off the street because of his unusual features.

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Crazy Credits

There are no onscreen credits in this film, other than the title.

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Connections

Version of Die Zauberflöte (2000)

User Reviews

Mozart + Bergman+ Flute = Magic

It is not surprising at all that having been a long-time an admirer of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's music and especially his opera "Die Zauberflöte" ("The Magic Flute"), Ingmar Bergman has adapted it in one of the best and enjoyable operatic film ever made. Watching Bergman's presentation of "The Magic Flute" does not require from a viewer an extensive opera-going experience or familiarization with all his often morose psychological studies. "The Magic Flute" (the opera or/and the film) can be enjoyed on different levels. It has many hidden philosophical and political references which were relevant back in 18th century but it is also a beautiful and poetic fairy tale which has many funny scenes (thanks to Papageno, the bird-catcher) as well as lyrical and tender scenes between two young lovers, and the dark ones with the sinister sorcerers. I've seen "The Magic Flute" in the different countries, in different versions and adaptations but I enjoyed the most Ingmar Bergman's vision of it. In 1975 National Society of USA Film Critics awarded Ingmar Bergman with a Special Award - for demonstrating how pleasurable opera can be on film. There is nothing I can add only that Mozart + Bergman+ Flute = Magic.

Details

Country:

Sweden

Language:

Swedish

Release Date:

1 January 1975 (Sweden)

Also Known As:

The Magic Flute

Filming Locations:

Drottningholm Castle Theater, Drottningholm Castle, Drottningholm, Stockholms län, Sweden

Box Office

Budget:

$650,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,710

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sveriges Radio

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1