Branagh to make 'The Magic Flute'

Kenneth Branagh is to direct a film version of the classic Mozart opera.

Nov  2 2005

Following appearances in children's films 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' and 'Five Children and It', Kenneth Branagh is returning to more adult fare, directing a film version of Mozart's classic opera 'The Magic Flute'.

Featuring a newly adapted libretto by Stephen Fry, the film transfers the action to the eve of World War I, when a young soldier is magically transported to a twilight world where he is caught between dream and nightmare.

The $27million production will occupy six of the major soundstages at Shepperton Studios, while the cast will be composed of up-and-coming British opera stars, including Joseph Kaiser as Tamino, Amy Carson as Pamina and Ben Davis as Papageno.

'This is a very exciting departure for me as a filmmaker' Branagh said of the project. 'Working with Sir Peter Moores and his Foundation to help bring this masterpiece to a different audience is an immense and thrilling challenge.'

Principal photography on 'The Magic Flute' starts in January.