The Magic Flute - Criterion Collection

Starring:Jerker Arvidson, Jane Darling, Helene Friberg, Nina Harte, Sven-Erik Jacobsson, Hans Johansson, Ulf Johansson, Erland Josephson, Sonja Karlsson, Hans Kyhle, Josef KÃ¶stlinger, KÃ¤bi Laretei, Birgit Nordin, Sven Nykvist, GÃ¶sta PrÃ¼zelius, Siegfried Svensson, Erik SÃ¦dÃ©n, Ragnar Ulfung, Irma Urrila
Studio: Criterion
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com essential video
Ingmar Bergman's vision of The Magic Flute (sung here in Swedish) remains one of the indisputable classics in the opera-as-film catalog, its charm and enchantment undiminished since the film's initial release in the 1970s. This is a case not of competition between two geniuses (and two media) but of affirmative, graceful, and enlightening synergy. Instead of simply filming a staged run-through of the opera, Bergman chooses to play with the framework around such a performance (given in Stockholm's elegant Drottningholm Theatre)--and he moreover rearranges the order of the scenes in the final act. Intermittent shots of audience reactions--including those of a young girl infectiously involved in the story--and sudden, psychologically probing close-up angles result in a richly textured, multilayered effect.

Amazon.com essential video

Ingmar Bergman's vision of The Magic Flute (sung here in Swedish) remains one of the indisputable classics in the opera-as-film catalog, its charm and enchantment undiminished since the film's initial release in the 1970s. This is a case not of competition between two geniuses (and two media) but of affirmative, graceful, and enlightening synergy. Instead of simply filming a staged run-through of the opera, Bergman chooses to play with the framework around such a performance (given in Stockholm's elegant Drottningholm Theatre)--and he moreover rearranges the order of the scenes in the final act. Intermittent shots of audience reactions--including those of a young girl infectiously involved in the story--and sudden, psychologically probing close-up angles result in a richly textured, multilayered effect.

Certainly Bergman renders the fairy-tale aspects of Mozart's mise-en-scène with such buoyant detail that the film makes an excellent entrée both for youngsters and for anyone who is uneasy about how to approach an opera. Yet there is much food for thought to be savored by the already initiated as well. One of Bergman's more brilliant interventions is to depict Sarastro and the Queen of the Night as a divorced couple engaged in a bitter battle over daughter Pamina. The director supplies plenty of energetic wit and arabesques of allusion (in addition to his Prospero-like demeanor, the high priest Sarastro is shown at one point during the intermission perusing the score of Parsifal), and--as might be expected of one of film's greatest symbolists--teases out the opera's weightier allegorical levels with hauntingly beautiful effect. Brilliant chiaroscuro and contrasted lighting patterns, for example, offer ongoing visual commentary on the contest between darkness and light. The cast is exceptionally photogenic, their abundant youth and obvious chemistry more than compensating for the often no-more-than-mediocre vocal performances (with the exception of Håkan Hagegård's utterly disarming, still-fresh portrayal of Papageno). For a desert-island audio recording, try Thomas Beecham. --Thomas May

Description

Ingmar Bergman puts his indelible stamp on Mozart's exquisite opera in this sublime rendering of one of the composer's best-loved works: a celebration of love, forgiveness, and the brotherhood of man. The Magic Flute (Trollflöjten) stars Josef Köstlinger as Tamino, the young man determined to rescue a beautiful princess from the clutches of parental evil. Criterion's edition features the film's glorious soundtrack in the original stereo format.

Customer Reviews:

The Magic Flute.......2007-07-05

Delightful film captures a modern-day production at a Stockholm theatre, intercutting the performance with audience reactions and dramatic back-stage shots. While some purists gripe that this conceit (along with Swedish lyrics) adulterates Mozart's favorite work, it should go over nicely with non-opera types, as it adds texture to what is, after all, a film. The spirited cast brings an old story alive, while Sven Nykvist's gliding camerawork lends Bergman's pet project a stylistic panache. "Flute" is charming, intelligent family entertainment, crafted by two masters who serve each other well.

The tenor became a basbarython.......2007-05-15

Ingmar Bergman's The Magic Flute is a masterpiece. But the DVD was in some way defective. The music played in something like 2/3 tempo. Unbearable. The DVD is now on its way back to Amazon.

Mozart + Bergman+ Flute = Magic.......2007-05-11

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.

4.5/5

Magic Mozart.......2007-05-07

Bergman's film of the Flute really is magical. I have never seen a better film of an opera (most opera DVDs are records of stage performances, of course, and not true films in the cinematic sense). I've also not seen a stage performance which captures the spirit of this opera as well as Bergman does. The alliance of two masters of their respective crafts, opera and cinema, has produced something which trancends the original in its ability to delight the viewer.

It was made for TV (Swedish Radios 50th aniversary).......2007-04-01

This is an enchanting and idiosyncratic production, and the most musically contiguos I have ever heard or seen. Where many - if not most - productions tend to be uneven and at time quite 'heavy' as many producers have a hard time making a whole out of Mozarts mixture of fun and serious business, this one strikes that balance in the idiom of the best fairy tales. It illustrates very well the transition from rococco to enlightenment and can be called early romantic as well.

What many people don't realize is that it was produced for TV to celebrate the 50th aniversary of SR (Sveriges Radio). It is in fact best suited for the small screen - and when watched and heard in this context (intimate & in a dialogue with you - the listener & viewer) it all makes sense.

It was simulcast over tv & radio at newyears 1974/75 in the nordic countries. I remember watching with a spellbound family. In a radio feature before the broadcast Ulrik Cold (Sarastro) had an essay on the thinking behind this particular production. He characterized the opera as a fairy tale - in the mold of H.C.Andersen & Isak Dinesen - i.e. entertainment with a serious message. In this Bergman clearly succeeded. It also bears mention that Bergman was the director of the swedish national theater (Dramaten) at the time and the performance clearly was aimed at showing what local forces could do. Apart from the east-german Tamino all other forces were local scandinavians.

Bergmans deft play on erasing the borders between theater and reality, between watching and being a participant in the play is a particular strike of genius.

Of the 8 recordings in my collection this is by far the most consistently enjoyable and thought provoking. I have the original radio broadcast on tape and the video. Now i have finally found a digital version.

Like all fairy tales this is for everyone between 4 and 90.

Enjoy

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