Ingmar Bergman put his indelible stamp on Mozart’s exquisite opera in this sublime rendering of one of the composer’s best-loved works: a celebration of love, forgiveness, and the brotherhood of man.

The Queen of the Night enlists a handsome prince named Tamino (Josef Köstlinger) to rescue her beautiful kidnapped daughter, Princess Pamina (Irma Urrila). Aided by the lovelorn bird hunter Papageno and a magical flute that holds the power to change the hearts of men, young Tamino embarks on a quest for true love, leading to the evil Sarastro's (Ulrik Cold) temple where Pamina is held captive.

Shooting on a set replicating a lovely 18th-century theatre, Bergman applies an admirably light touch throughout, to deliver a film of musical excellence, dramatic vitality and enormous, effortless charm. Perhaps the most delightful film ever made from an opera, this is a sensuous cinematic treat for spring.

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