Trollflöjten (1975)

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1. 

   Siskoid

   With his staging of The Magic Flute, Ingmar Berhman makes me believe Mozart had a sense of humor, and more wondrous still, that HE has a sense of humor. His movies aren't exactly knee slappers, you know? But The Magic Flute has some genuinely funny moments, which I really didn't expect from a filmed opera. Like, okay, I've seen just one or two operas ever, student productions, so I don't know how many actually manage comedy. What helps here is the subtitles, and if theaters offered this option, I'd be more inclined to discover these classical musicals. Mozart's music is of course, wonderful, and Bergman has the balls to shoot it on a small stage, just as he'd originally seen it as a boy. But while it's always theatrical - and its fantastical elements presented by people in animal costumes, the Hell sequence is still pretty great however - it is shot like a film, with close-ups, reverse angles, people looking into camera, impossible position changes achieved in editing, and the sparing use of sets that couldn't possibly share the same stage. Occasionally, we're shown what's happening backstage or in the audience (as with the Overture played out entirely on their faces, a huge cross-section of humanity to make a point about the music's universality). Throughout, Bergman is clever, daring, and really rather charming. I loved the experience and can only give it the highest marks. 3 years 8 months ago
2. 

   Dieguito

   Not a movie, but an opera, but a great movie! 11 years ago
3. 

   jlfitz

   I dislike opera but this is so remarkably done I found myself enjoying it. 11 years 9 months ago

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