The Magic Flute: A Film by Kenneth Branagh

THE MAGIC FLUTE: A Film by Kenneth Branagh
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Sung in English | Running time 134 minutes
A film version of Mozart’s opera directed by Kenneth Branagh

Mozart’s classic opera The Magic Flute is breathtakingly transformed in a spectacular film version
conceived and directed by Kenneth Branagh with a newly-adapted libretto by Stephen Fry. With musical
director James Conlon conducting the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the film showcases opera stars René
Pape, Tom Randle, Lyubov Petrova and Silvia Moi in a romantic adventure story of humanity and
fellowship, weaving drama with comedy. Branagh “…brings magic and a new life to Mozart” (Classic
FM). A perennial favorite for generations of opera-goers this production is a visually extraordinary
cinematic experience that the LA Times called “exuberant!”

CAST
Lyubov Petrova – Queen of the Night
René Pape – Sarastro
Tom Randle – Monostatos
Joseph Kaiser – Tamino
Amy Carson – Pamina
Ben Davis – Papageno
Teuta Koço – First Lady
Louise Callinan – Second Lady
Kim-Marie Woodhouse – Third Lady
Silvia Moi – Papagena (young)
Liz Smith – Papagena (Older)

CREATIVE
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Libretto: Adapted by Stephen Fry
Producer: Pierre-Olivier Bardet
Costumes: Christopher Oram
Music Arranged and Conducted by: James Conlon

About
Following critically successful receptions at the Toronto International Film Festival and Venice Film
Festival, The Magic Flute features a libretto adapted by multi-talented English actor, comedian,
screenwriter, playwright and journalist Stephen Fry. Complemented with music arranged by James
Conlon, The Magic Flute boasts a wide range of creative voices, as well as the sterling operatic voice of
internationally famed bass René Pape, with Joseph Kaiser and Amy Carson contributing their vocal
talents to the leading roles.
Kenneth Branagh is best known for his film adaptations of William Shakespeare, for which he’s received
Oscar nominations for direction (Henry V) and screenwriting (Hamlet). Branagh has also directed
acclaimed screen versions of Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour’s Lost and As You Like It.Synopsis
On the eve of the first global war a magical drama unfolds as Tamino sets forth on a perilous journey in
pursuit of love, light and peace in a world afflicted by darkness, death and destruction. An eerie quiet
descends over a landscape still untouched by conflict as Tamino waits anxiously with his fellow recruits
for the command to go into battle. In the ensuing chaos he is transported to a twilight world caught
between dream and nightmare where he is rescued from certain death by a trio of field nurses. When
Papageno (keeper of the canaries employed to detect the presence of gas in the trenches) stumbles onto
the scene and attempts to take credit for saving Tamino, the Sisters dispatch the two soldiers on a deadly
mission. The duo must rescue Pamina, the lovely daughter of the Queen of the Night, who has been
kidnapped by the dark lord, Sarastro. What follows is a spectacular musical adventure in which the
destiny of a pair of young lovers may help determine the fate of nations and the lives of millions.