Branagh's Magic Flute

[Mozart]

Has anyone seen it? I just finished watching the first act, its pretty goood. Even though its in English there are still parts I can't understand, but it made the counterpoint parts sooooo much easier. The graphics and everything are really cool, but I still would rather just see the original story in cool movie version like this. The high notes are still like...what did she say? Papageno is really cool, Im glad they found such a good one. Tamino is kind of a schukus...I don't really like him. Tamina is hot... Sarastro is rene pape he reminds me of Arnold the governator! The 3 ladies were really good too. Can't wait for this to be on dvd!

[knight66]

I have just bought and watched this version. I enjoyed it a great deal. There is terrific visual flair and a young attractive cast; nevertheless, Rene Pape made a particularly good impression with acting that radiated wisdom and kindness, his English was also very good.

The opera opens with the first shots of World War One. Beautiful countryside, beautiful weather; about to be despoiled. The plot weaves the trials into the trenches, victory being an outbreak of peace and a healing of the scarred land.

The voices were all very good, the acting likewise. A new English version, rather than translation, had been written by Stephen Fry. It works well for the singers, giving them open vowels when they need them and it is literate and witty where need be. Branagh brings out the darker side of the score as well as the joy. The pacing is in the expert hands of James Conlon. This is not a main stream interpretation, it must be mimed, though there are no problems with lip sync, but if you fancy an imaginative and musically satisfying version in English....don't hesitate.

Mike

[Mozart]

Rene Pape made a particularly good impression with acting that radiated wisdom and kindness, his English was also very good.

Funny, I understood him the least!


It's very...musicalish but I still liked the film. Papageno still was the best, I think I just love that opera character too much. The flying queen of the night was a little too much, I think she was poorly cast.

The best scene besides the papapapapapa has to be the magic bells scene

Here are some highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/U6MMamY1AQI

[Mozart]

Ohh the queen of the night, I couldn't help thinking its an advertisement for fellatio.

[springrite]

Ohh the queen of the night, I couldn't help thinking its an advertisement for fellatio.

Now, talk about one thing the popularity of which needs no advertisement!

[karlhenning]

I have just bought and watched this version. I enjoyed it a great deal. There is terrific visual flair and a young attractive cast; nevertheless, Rene Pape made a particularly good impression with acting that radiated wisdom and kindness, his English was also very good.

The opera opens with the first shots of World War One. Beautiful countryside, beautiful weather; about to be despoiled. The plot weaves the trials into the trenches, victory being an outbreak of peace and a healing of the scarred land.

The voices were all very good, the acting likewise. A new English version, rather than translation, had been written by Stephen Fry. It works well for the singers, giving them open vowels when they need them and it is literate and witty where need be. Branagh brings out the darker side of the score as well as the joy. The pacing is in the expert hands of James Conlon. This is not a main stream interpretation, it must be mimed, though there are no problems with lip sync, but if you fancy an imaginative and musically satisfying version in English....don't hesitate.

Mike

I was already fairly well disposed to give this a try, Mike, and your thumbnail here seals it.

[knight66]

I hope you enjoy it Karl, do let us know what you think.

Mike

[karlhenning]

Still doesn't seem available here in the states. Faugh!

Ah, well; I waited years for Hamlet to come out on DVD . . . .

[PSmith08]

Still doesn't seem available here in the states. Faugh!

Ah, well; I waited years for Hamlet to come out on DVD . . . .

Upsetting, isn't it? The YouTube clips have had me positively tantalized for a while, but I don't know that I am going to scour the earth, with all that entails, for a DVD. Particularly when I still haven't seen Gary Hustwit's (I think that's right) Helvetica.

[Anne]

If someone learns that it is available in the US, would he post it here please.

[Wanderer]

I'm going to give this a try, as well. Thanks, Mike, for the review! What I saw and heard in the youtube trailer was very much to my liking.

[Sarastro]

The picture is fantastic, though too much action. I used to the rule prima la musica; here la musica seems just to complement the video. But this should probably be considered not an opera - a fusion of opera and film-making, such as Zeffirelli's La Traviata, Otello, Bergman's horrifying film, Peter Sellars' Don Giovanni (controversial movie, singing is bad), etc.
Joseph Kaiser should make a good Tamino.

Still doesn't seem available here in the states. Faugh!

Amazon.com has it being shipped from New Jersey, though they warn you it won't not play on regular (but not all!) American DVD players, as imported from Spain. Click the link for details.