‘Magic Flute’ Blends Genius Of Two Artists

The one thing we’ve been taught to expect from an Ingmar Bergman film is darkness - of theme, of mood, even of sight and sound.

But with “The Magic Flute,” which will be screened at 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday as benefits for the public radio station KPBX, we have a curious blend of geniuses: Bergman and Mozart, Swedish heaviness and Austrian joie de vivre.

In this mix, though, it is the spirit of Mozart that triumphs.

Written in the last year of Mozart’s life, “The Magic Flute” was based on a play written by Johann Emanual Schikaneder. The setting is supposed to be Egypt in the last days of Pharaoh Ramses I (although the setting that Bergman uses appears to be something more out of the Swedish woodlands).

The themes explored are a meld of the classical (the purity of love, displaying courage under fire, a call to duty and a respect for honor) and the popular (mostly having to do with finding a woman).

This first collection of traits is best exemplified by Tamino, a handsome prince who in the very first scene is threatened by a vicious dragon. The more earthy attitude belongs to Papageno, a bird-catcher and resident clown who becomes Tamino’s partner-in-quest.

The quest is put to them both by the Queen of Night, a sexy creature whose followers saved Tamino from the dragon. The grateful prince agrees to the queen’s request, which is to save her beautiful daughter, Pamina, who is being held prisoner by the tyrant Sarastro.

Ultimately, though, it turns out that Tamino’s initial impressions aren’t to be trusted. And he discovers that the road to true love is more challenging, and trying, than he might ever have suspected.

As a story, “The Magic Flute” hasn’t aged well. The source of evil, here, is determinedly feminine. And there’s even an unscrupulous Moor to contend with, which betrays more than a hint of racism.

But Bergman keeps the action moving quickly enough, opening up the play to include the audience and even some off-stage antics. Besides, Papageno is always good for a laugh.

And, of course, there’s the music. “The Magic Flute” has been called the most realized example of Mozart’s genius, one in which something intended as pop entertainment managed to attain the heights of art.

Maybe that’s so, maybe not. But certainly as presented in this film, Mozart’s music does achieve something once thought inconceivable: It invites us to smile with Bergman.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: Screening note: Tickets to the 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday showings are a $10 donation. Pre-show lectures will be delivered by Leonard Oakland and Robert Glatzer. For information, call 328-5729 and ask for Jacqueline Almdale.

This sidebar appeared with the story: “The Magic Flute” ***-1/2 Locations: The Magic Lantern Cinemas Credits: Directed by Ingmar Bergman, starring Josef Kostlinger, Irma Urila, Hakan Hagefard, Elisabeth Erickson Running time: 2:14 Rating: PG