Search - Magic Flute [Special Edition] [Criterion Collection] on DVD

MPAA Rating: NR Content Advisory: Adult Situations, Suitable for Children Movie Release: 1975 DVD Release: 05/16/2000 Format: DVD - Pan and Scan Edition: Dual Layered,Special Collection Audio Tracks: Swedish Subtitles: English SwapaDVD Credits: 1 Number of Discs: 1 Run Time: 2 hrs 15 mins Studio: Criterion Members Wishing: 16 Genres: Fantasy, Musical, Musical Fantasy, Film-Opera, Romantic Fantasy

A longtime pet project of Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera The Magic Flute was finally brought to the screen in 1973. While the opera itself is offered in a highly stylized and theatrical fashion, the fluidity of the camerawork turns the affair into a purely cinematic experience. Sung in Swedish, the libretto remains as ever a gentle parody of the initiation ceremonies of the Masons, offered as an other-worldly fantasy involving a kidnapped princess (Irma Urrila), a vengeful Queen of the Night (Birgit Nordin), and a carefree wanderer who periodically plays the titular flute. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Josef Kostlinger - Tamino
Irma Urrila - Pamina
Ulrik Cold - Sarastro
Erik Saeden - The Orator
Birgit Nordin - Queen of the Night
Håkan Hagegård

Ingmar Bergman's adaptation of The Magic Flute comes to DVD with a standard full-frame transfer. The Swedish soundtrack is rendered in PCM Stereo. English subtitles are accessible. There are no supplemental materials of any consequence, but this DVD makes the film look as good as it ever has on home video. This Criterion release should be of interest to anyone with a love of cinema. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide