Discuss The Magic Flute
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My first watch
posted by SteveSTAFFMOD on March 9, 2022 at 10:02 PM
I'm trying to better understand opera. Anyway this one has subs so I can watch and still understand the story. But honestly you really don't need the subs do you? The film is beautiful and got me nostalgic for the 1970s when they would show the audience in close up occasionally. The DVD cover from Criterion makes the film appear to be a dark tale but it's not. And the dragon around the beginning is kind of awesome. I didn't know what to expect but I found -- despite not liking Mozart very much -- it amazing.
Can anyone recommend a good Opera film similar? One that is understandable and well shot, not just a recording of a live show.
Reply by rooprect
on March 11, 2022 at 8:46 AM
Not an opera but a great film with a full classical ballet performance: The Red Shoes (1948).
The ballet section is uninterrupted and clocks in at around 20 mins. The cool part is how the camera works into the stage performance with interesting angles & special effects, and of course the leading lady is a real ballet pro who does the performance, no stand-ins or body doubles for the tricky stuff. It’s by far the greatest cinematic treatment of a classical music performance I’ve ever seen.
I haven’t seen The Magic Flute, although I gotta confess I watched a few mins once and couldn’t get into it. With it being Bergman I was expecting more of a cinematic experience, but he chose to keep it closer to the stage show. I’ll give it another shot on your recommendation though. Definitely for opera, or any classical music piece, you have to be in the right mood.
Reply by Steve
on March 11, 2022 at 9:11 AM
oh man as I get older I'm getting into Opera. Ballet too? I'll give it a shot. Why not.