The Magic Flute (2022 film)

The Magic Flute
German theatrical release poster
Directed by	Florian Sigl
Screenplay by	Andrew Lowery
Based on	The Magic Flute by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Produced by	Roland Emmerich Christopher Zwickler [de] Fabian Wolfart
Cinematography	Peter Matjasko
Edited by	Alexander Dittner [de]
Music by	Martin Stock [de]
Production companies	Flute Film (Christopher Zwickler) Centropolis Entertainment Tobis Film [de]
Distributed by	Tobis Film
Release dates	September 30, 2022 (2022-09-30) (Zurich) November 17, 2022 (2022-11-17) (Germany)
Running time	124 minutes[1]
Country	Germany
Languages	English German
Box office	$236,328[2]

The Magic Flute (German: The Magic Flute - Das Vermächtnis der Zauberflöte) is a 2022 German musical fantasy film directed by Florian Sigl and written by Andrew Lowery, based on the 1791 opera of the same name by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Plot

Cast

• Jack Wolfe as Tim Walker /Prince Tamino
• Iwan Rheon as Papageno
• Stéfi Celma as Papagena
• Robin Gooch as Old Papagena
• Sabine Devieilhe as the Queen of the Night
• Asha Banks as Princess Pamina of the Night
• Morris Robinson as Sarastro the Sorcerer
• Stefan Konarske as Monostatos
• Larissa Herden as Lady Hazel
• Jasmin Shakeri as Lady Scarlet
• Jeanne Goursaud as Lady Azure
• Greg Wise as James Walker
• Luyanda Unati Lewis-Nyawo as Nurse
• F. Murray Abraham as Dr. Longbow
• Niamh McCormack as Sophie
• Elliot Courtiour as Paolo Tocci
• Cosima Henman as Olivia
• Amir Wilson as Anton Milanesi
• Rolando Villazón as Enrico Milanesi
• Tedros "Teddy" Teclebrhan as Mr. Baumgartner
• Waldemar Kobus as Mr. Suessmayr

Production

Development

In 2017, Roland Emmerich's Centropolis Entertainment and Flimmer began to co-produce a modern-day adaptation of Mozart's opera, the brainchild of Florian Sigl and Christopher Zwickler. Emmerich and Zwickler produced, Sigl directed, while Andrew Lowery wrote the screenplay.^[3] Dan Maag and Fabian Wolfart of Pantaleon Films joined as producers at the 68th Berlin International Film Festival in February 2018.^[4]

Pixomondo created the film's VFX. The project received funds from both Austria and Germany.^[5]

Co-producers include Tim Oberwelland, Theodor Gringel, Peter Eiff and Tobias Alexander Seiffert of Tobis Film as well as Stefan Konarske of Quinta Media.

Casting

The cast was announced in February 2021, with Iwan Rheon, Jack Wolfe, Asha Banks and Amir Wilson starring. Opera stars Sabine Devieilhe, Rolando Villazón and Morris Robinson would feature. Other cast members include F. Murray Abraham, Stéfi Celma,^[6] Jeanne Goursaud, Jasmin Shakeri, Lary, and Stefan Konarske.^[7]

Filming

Principal photography began in February 2021 at Bavaria Studios in Munich and wrapped in Tenerife in April. Other reported filming locations included Salzburg and London.^{[citation needed]}

Music

Seventeen arias from The Magic Flute are featured in the film, performed by the individual actors.

• "Have Mercy"
• "Observe His Face"
• "I'm Sure That There Could Never Be"
• "Such Loveliness"
• "You, You, You"
• "Hm, Hm, Hm"
• "You Will Not Dare"
• "What Place Is This?"
• "A Man in Search"
• "Two Little Birds"
• "This Music"
• "Long Live to Sarastro"
• "All the World Is Always Lasting"
• "The Wrath of Hell"
• "Before Our Holy Altar"
• "Now I Know"
• "Pa Pa Papagena"

Three non opera songs are also included.

• "I'll Be There" (Jackson 5): The original track is heard early in the film, then is played on piano and sung by Tim and Sophie.
• "Time to Say Goodbye": Tim performs this as part of his introduction to the school.
• "Outweigh Your Love": Performed during the end credits by Madeleine and Wankelmut.

Release

Sola Media has the rights to international distribution.^[8] First look stills were revealed in October 2021.^[9] The film premiered at the 2022 Zurich Film Festival.^[10] It received a theatrical release on 10 March 2023 through Shout! Studios.^[11]

Reception

The film received mixed reviews. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reports a 50% score, based on 18 reviews, with an average rating of 5.4/10.^[12]

References

1. "Project data for "The Magic Flute" on Crew United". Retrieved 15 November 2022.
2. "The Magic Flute (2022)". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved 20 March 2023.
3. "Roland Emmerich's Centropolis, Flimmer Team Up on Mozart's The Magic Flute (Exclusive)". Variety. 23 November 2017. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
4. Meza, Ed (21 February 2021). "Pantaflix Boards Roland Emmerich's Magic Flute (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
5. White, Peter (7 January 2020). "Game of Thrones VFX Firm Pixomondo Boards Roland Emmerich-Produced Feature Adaptation of Mozart's The Magic Flute". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 February 2021.
6. Wiseman, Andreas (22 March 2021). "Oscar Winner F. Murray Abraham & Call My Agent Star Stefi Celma Join Modern-Day Magic Flute, Filming Underway in Europe". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
7. Meza, Ed (3 February 2021). "Iwan Rheon, Jack Wolfe, Asha Banks Join Roland Emmerich's The Magic Flute (Exclusive)". Variety. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
8. Blaney, Martin (9 March 2021). "Sola Media boards the Roland Emmerich-produced The Magic Flute". Screen Daily. Retrieved 13 March 2021.
9. Wisman, Andreas (26 October 2021). "The Magic Flute: First Look at F. Murray Abraham, Iwan Rheon, Stefi Celma, More — AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
10. Ntim, Zac; Goodfellow, Melanie (26 August 2022). "Florian Sigl's 'The Magic Flute' To Debut At Zurich & San Sebastian Sets Zinemira Award — Global Briefs". Deadline. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
11. Major, Michael (31 January 2023). "VIDEO: F. Murray Abraham & Jack Wolfe Star in THE MAGIC FLUTE Trailer". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
12. "The Magic Flute". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 16 April 2023.

External links

• The Magic Flute (2022) at IMDb
• "The Magic Flute (2022), Crew United [de]
• Trailer (in German) on YouTube