Basic
Info
Title:
Magic Fire
Country:
United States
Language:
English
Distributed
by: Republic Pictures
Running
time: 120 minutes
Release
date: 15 July 1955 (UK), 29 March 1956 (US)
Staff
Director:
William Dieterle
Producer:
William Dieterle
Written
by: Bertita Harding, Ewald André Dupont, David
T. Chantler
Music:
Erich Wolfgang Korngold
Cinematography:
Ernest Haller
Cast
Alan Badel (Richard Wagner)
Yvonne De Carlo (Minna Planer)
Carlos Thompson (Franz Liszt)
Rita Gam (Cosima Liszt)
Valentina Cortese (Mathilde
Wesendonck)
Peter Cushing (Otto Wesendonck)
Gerhard Riedmann (King Ludwig II)
Erik Schumann (Hans von Bülow)
Charles Régnier (Giacomo Meyerbeer)
Summary
"Magic Fire" is an
American biographical film about the life of composer Richard Wagner, released
by Republic Pictures in 1955.
The film, directed by William
Dieterle, made extensive use of Wagner's music, arranged by Erich Wolfgang
Korngold. Dieterle worked with Korngold on several Warner Bros films, including
“A Midsummer Night's Dream” and “Juarez.” It is also one of Republic's final
films, made in the two-strip color processes known as Trucolor.
The film accurately described many details
of Wagner's life, while distorting some facts for dramatic effects. It was
highly appreciated in the film that the riots at the Paris Opera House for the
premiere of the revised Paris version of "Tannhäuser” were portrayed. It also
depicted King Ludwig II's patronage of Wagner.
The film is famous for its very extensive
cast, opulent sets and lavish costumes. It is also one of the rare films from
Republic Pictures, which was famous mainly for westerns and adventure serials.
Movie
Review
Powerful Music, Very Rich Production; Fascinating Life of a Complex Man
Interesting
stories about the film
Erich Wolfgang Korngold, who
arranged Wagner's music for this film, appears in the film as famous conductor
Hans Richter. When filming a stage with more than 1,000 extras, director
William Dieterle pleaded with Korngold to take the non-speaking part.
Thank you.
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