Joseph Kaiser

Amy Carson

Ben Davis

Silvia Moi

René Pape

Lyubov Petrova

Tom Randle

Liz Smith

Teuta Koço

Louise Callinan

Kim-Marie Woodhouse

William Dutton

Luke Lampard

Jamie Manton

Rodney Clarke

Charne Rochford

Peter Wedd

Keel Watson

Jonathan Broadbent

Paul Dinnen

Mark Hayden

Paul Chequer

Adam Shipley

Christopher Wren

Jimmy Yuill

Adrian Preater

Robert Barton

Ed Marsden

James Thorne

Christopher Logan

Gary Mackay

Brendan Patricks

Iain Stuart Robertson

Benjamin Uttley

Hattie Ladbury

Gemma Gray

Shane Armstrong

Amy Humphreys

Christina Catalina

Gareth Hancock

James Conlon

Michelle Whitney

Christopher Stone

Kenneth Branagh

Pierre-Olivier Bardet

Simon Moseley

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

Stephen Fry

Darren J. Perry

Stephen Wright

Les Benson

Sarah Playfair

Lee Grumett

Charlie Noble

Michael Parker

Steve Clark-Hall

David Harris

Josh Robertson

Sarah Monzani

Daniel Zalay

Roger Lanser

Emanuel Schikaneder

Tim Harvey

Christopher Oram

Jonathan Allen

Chris Foster

Rowley Irlam

Simon Finney

Comedy

Drama

Music

The Magic Flute

Walt deFaria

Idéale Audience

United Kingdom

I admit, it is almost impossible for me to write an informed review of this film as I have no contextual relationship with Mozart's opera/operetta **THE MAGIC FLUTE**.  In fact, and may be the case with other fans of cinema, my only connection to that opera is the scenes included in the film **AMADEUS**.  However, I have challenged myself to watch the entire filmography of Kenneth Branagh, so **THE MAGIC FLUTE** is not to be ignored.

With that in mind, I must apologize to the massively popular opera's fans who will see my approach devoid of knowledge of any production.

This film version takes place during the first world war, in a non-descript country.  It follows a young soldier sent on a mission to save the Queen of the Night's daughter, Pamina.  The story reveals through magic that the kidnapper may not be evil after all.

I imagine this story, set to match Mozart's original story idea, may be more palatable and light. Especially the importance of miracles in a story named after a magical flute.

The United Kingdom's brilliant treasure, Stephen Fry, adapted this story into one that could be relatable to England during World War I. Branagh, who directed Fry in **PETER'S FRIENDS**, helms this beautifully designed film.  the production and flow of the story show why Branagh is such a fascinating director.  

Being unfamiliar of any specific artist recording of anything from the Opera stage, I cannot comment in good faith to the power of any specific performance.  But it seems to sound good to me.  But lacking Patrick Doyle, it may seem less _Branagh_.

This film took years to make it to the United States in any form until it eventually appeared on DVD.  Maybe it's just the obvious.  Its not as important a piece stateside.

I'm glad to have seen it, but will likely avoid a re-watch for a handful of years.

English

Magic Flute Trailer, A film by Kenneth Branagh