The Magic Flute (2006)

During World War I, in an unnamed country, a soldier named Tamino is sent by the Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter Pamina from the clutches of the supposedly evil Sarastro. But all is not as it seems.

Director:

Kenneth Branagh

Writers:

Emanuel Schikaneder (libretto), Kenneth Branagh (adapted for the screen by)

Stars:

Joseph Kaiser, Amy Carson, Ben Davis

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Joseph Kaiser	...	Tamino
Amy Carson	...	Pamina
Ben Davis	...	Papageno (as Benjamin Jay Davis)
Silvia Moi	...	Papagena
René Pape	...	Sarastro
Lyubov Petrova	...	Queen of the Night
Tom Randle	...	Monostatos
Liz Smith	...	The Old Papagena
Teuta Koço	...	First Lady
Louise Callinan	...	Second Lady
Kim-Marie Woodhouse	...	Third Lady
William Dutton	...	First Boy
Luke Lampard	...	Second Boy
Jamie Manton	...	Third Boy
Rodney Clarke	...	First Officer

Storyline

During World War I, in an unnamed country, a soldier named Tamino is sent by the Queen of the Night to rescue her daughter Pamina from the clutches of the supposedly evil Sarastro. But all is not as it seems.

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Plot Keywords:

evil | queen | walking wounded | based on opera | mozart | 

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Genres:

Drama | Musical | Romance

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK France

Language:

English

Release Date:

13 December 2006 (France)

Also Known As:

The Magic Flute

Box Office

Budget:

$27,000,000 (estimated)

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,965,713

Company Credits

Production Co:

Idéale Audience, Peter Moores Foundation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

135 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The tank which appears in this movie was a specially-built replica. It was slightly smaller than a real World War I tank would have been, and powered by a Ford Transit engine. It is now in the hands of a historical re-enactment society.

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Quotes

Papageno: [Papageno and Tamino are undergoing a trial of silence, but Papageno speaks anyway, much to the displeasure of Tamino. An old woman enters] Is that for me?
Old Papagena: [speaks, carrying a tray of refreshments] Yes, my angel!
Papageno: [drinks and then speaks] Water! Ugh! How old are you, my dear?
Old Papagena: [speaks] I'm eighteen years and - two minutes.
Papageno: [bursts into laughter and speaks] I see! Do you have a boyfriend?
Old Papagena: [speaks] Oh, yes!
Papageno: [speaks] What's his name?
Old Papagena: [speaks] Papageno!
Papageno: [speaks as she starts to leave] Papa - Hey, that's me! ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The overture to the opera is played both at the beginning and the end, but only at the end is it played over the film's credits.

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Connections

Version of NBC Television Opera Theatre: The Magic Flute (1956)

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Soundtracks

Closing Credits Music: Overture to 'The Magic Flute'
Music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Conducted by James Conlon

User Reviews

Splendid

The most wonderful movie I've experienced in the past year. I was enthralled by the translation of the German lyrics into vernacular English; the Italians for once did not dub it away, but just provided Italian subtitles: Bravo! I was in awe of Mr. Fry's — I believe — ability to preserve the poetry while translating the language, and making it still fit the music. This opera is my very favorite and I loved the singing. The idea of setting the opera in a 20th century war scene gave the libretto story credibility and passion, something most opera lacks, except as the music imparts. I salute Mr. Branagh's genius. As usual in such musical movies it isn't clear who actually did the signing, but whoever did, did a wonderful job; the passages by The Queen of the Night gave me the usual chills up and down my spine, and Mozart is irrepressible! I have long savored Bergman's Magic Flute, and I do think Branagh's has earned at least an equal berth.