Sweden 1975
Directed by Ingmar Bergman
With Josef Köstlinger, Irma Urrila, Ulrik Cold
English subtitles
135min
Shooting in Swedish on a set replicating a lovely 18th-century theatre, Bergman begins his wonderfully warm, witty and sensuous movie by focusing on the faces of a rapt audience (momentarily including his own) enjoying the overture. Thereafter, as the (abridged and intriguingly amended) tale of Tamino, Pamina et al proceeds, he highlights the piece’s exuberant theatrical illusionism, at the same time deploying close-ups to enhance the emotions conveyed by an excellent young cast. An admirably light touch is applied throughout, making for a performance of musical excellence, dramatic vitality and enormous, effortless charm.
Geoff Andrew, Programmer-at-large
The Magic Flute will be released nationwide on 16 March 2018 as part of the Ingmar Bergman centenary celebrations.
Venues
March
30 March — 4 April
Chapter Cardiff
30 March — 5 April
Watershed Bristol
April
1 April
Hebden Bridge Picturehouse
5 April
Broadway Nottingham
6-7 April
Warwick Arts Centre
7 April
Electric Picturehouse, Wotton Under Edge
8 April
Glasgow Film Theatre
10 April
Stoke Film Theatre
16 April
Quad, Derby
22 April
Stamford Arts Centre
22-24 April
Eden Court
29-30 April & 1-2 May
JW3
May
1 May
The Dukes Lancaster
2-10 May
Cine Lumiere
20 May
DOY Brighton
20 May
Cambridge Arts Picturehouse
20 May
Central Picturehouse
20 May
Clapham Picturehouse
20 May
Crouch End Picturehouse
20 May
East Dulwich Picturehouse
20 May
Edinburgh Cameo
20 May
Exeter Picturehouse
20 May
Gate Picturehouse
20 May
Greenwich Picturehouse
20 May
Hackney Picturehouse
20 May
Little Theatre Bath
20 May
Liverpool Picturehouse at FACT
20 May
NMM Bradford
20 May
Norwich Cinema City
20 May
Oxford Phoenix Picturehouse
20 May
Regal Henley Picturehouse
20 May
Southmapton Harbour Lights
20 May
Stratford East Picturehouse
20 May
Stratford on Avon Picturehouse
20 May
York City Screen
20 May
Dundee Contemporary Arts
27 May
Regent Street Cinema
27 & 29 May
Ultimate Picture Palace
June
4 June
Edinburgh Filmhouse
July
8-9 & 12 July
Showroom Sheffield
August
9 August
Chelmsford Picture House