Stephen Wright Movies

Acclaimed director Kenneth Branagh skillfully lifts one of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's most beloved works from its original fairy-tale setting and places it against the backdrop of the First World War with this impassioned English-language adaptation staged to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the master composer's birth. Tamino (Joseph Kaiser) has been wounded in battle, but his life is saved when he is subsequently rescued by three kindly field nurses. Papageno (Benjamin Jay Davis) is a bird keeper whose mission it is to check the trenches for dangerous gasses. Upon seeing a picture of the lovely Pamina (Amy Carson) and instantly falling in love with the girl, Tamino makes it his mission in life to save his treasured beauty from the clutches of nefarious kidnapper Sarastro (Rene Pape). Tamino won't be alone on his dangerous mission, though, because the noble Papageno, who has determined to rescue his own true love, has vowed to fight alongside the smitten soldier right to the bitter end. An imaginative new adaptation of one of Mozart's most beloved operas, Branagh's variation on The Magic Flute features newly adapted libretto by Stephen Fry, musical direction by James Conlon, and an unforgettable score skillfully performed by the Chamber Orchestra of Europe. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

A young boy from a broken home learns the harsh realities of life after adopting an awkward greyhound and befriending a mysterious figure from his mother's past in this tender coming of age story starring Gillian Anderson, Robert Carlyle, and Tyrone McKenna. Donal (McKenna) and his single mother Kate (Anderson) share a small home in Belfast. When their finances start to dwindle, Donal goes to work for local dog trainer Good Joe (Ken Stott) to help make ends meet. Despite the benevolence that his name implies, Good Joe is anything but, and has a reputation for going back on his word. So when Good Joe recognizes Donal's special connection to dogs and offers him the "Mighty Celt" if the canine can win three races in a row, the boy is understandably wary. Things start to look up, however, as the races get underway and a man named O (Carlyle) returns to strike up a warm friendship with Donal. It's obvious from the onset that Good Joe is suspicious of O, and Donal's mother Kate makes no secret of the fact that she would rather O had never returned to town. In the aftermath of a dramatic revelation that will change the lives of all involved, young Donal learns that not all stories have a happy ending. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

Classic Archive: Teresa Berganza features the renowned soprano performing pieces by a variety of composers including Mozart, Rossini, Schubert, and Donizetti. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Each presentation in the Classic Archive collection from EMI Classics features select performances from legendary classical music artists. Culled from the BBC (UK) and INF (France) archives of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the selections are taken from various music festivals, recitals, and recording studio sessions. The original footage is carefully restored and compiled by music historians in order to present an overview of each artist's representative work. This installment features Belgian violinist Arthur Grumiaux. Selections include works by Mendelssohn (1961), Paganini (1961), Beethoven (1965), Bach (1962 and 1967), and Bloch (1967). Bonus footage includes a 1971 performance by violinist Irvy Gitlis and pianist Georges Pludermacher. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Each presentation in the Classic Archive collection from EMI Classics features select performances from legendary classical music artists. Culled from the BBC (UK) and INF (France) archives of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the selections are taken from various music festivals, recitals, and recording studio sessions. The original footage is carefully restored and compiled by music historians in order to present an overview of each artist's representative work. This installment features three legendary German vocalists -- sopranos Elisabeth Schwartzkopf and Irmgard Seefried and baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau. Included are performances of compositions by Richard Strauss (1961 and 1965), Mahler (1960 and 1967), and Schubert (1959). ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Each presentation in the Classic Archive collection from EMI Classics features select performances from legendary classical music artists. Culled from the BBC (UK) and INF (France) archives of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the selections are taken from various music festivals, recitals, and recording studio sessions. The original footage is carefully restored and compiled by music historians in order to present an overview of each artist's representative work. This installment features German pianist Wilhelm Kempff. Peformances include works by Schumann (1961 and 1963) and Beethoven (1968 and 1970). Bonus footage includes a 1967 performance by pianist Dino Ciani of both a Schumann piece and a Bartók composition. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Each presentation in the Classic Archive collection from EMI Classics features select performances from legendary classical music artists. Culled from the BBC (UK) and INF (France) archives of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the selections are taken from various music festivals, recitals, and recording studio sessions. The original footage is carefully restored and compiled by music historians in order to present an overview of each artist's representative work. This installment features Polish-born violinist Henryk Szeryng. Selections include works by Brahms (1962 & 1963), Bartók (1962), Leclair (1963), Ravel (1962), Bach (1964), Locatelli (1964), Suk (1964), Novácek (1964) and Debussy (1964). Bonus footage includes a performance from 1975, with Michael Isador joining Szeryng on piano. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Each presentation in the Classic Archive collection from EMI Classics features select performances from legendary classical music artists. Culled from the BBC (UK) and INF (France) archives of the 1950s, '60s, and '70s, the selections are taken from various music festivals, recitals, and recording studio sessions. The original footage is carefully restored and compiled by music historians in order to present an overview of each artist's representative work. This installment features Russian violinist David Oistrakh, violinist/conductor Yehudi Menuhin and Russian cellist Mstislav Rostropovich and a handful of their joint performances. Works by Bach (1958 and 1962), Mozart (1963), and Brahms (1965) are included. ~ Sarah Block, All Movie Guide

Baritone Thomas Hampson narrates this overview of operatic treasures preserved on film. In addition to interviews, the two-hour documentary offers a rich clip compilation of legendary performers -- Conchita Supervia, Richard Tauber, Feodor Chaliapin, Maria Callas (a 1964 rendition of Puccini's "Vissi d'arte" at Covent Garden), Jussi Bjorling, Franco Corelli, Victoria de los Angeles, Kirsten Flagstad, Ezio Pinza, Leontyne Price, Beniamino Gigli, Luisa Tetrazzini, Fritz Wunderlich, Rosa Ponselle (an MGM screen test), Bjorling and Renata Tebaldi (duet from La Boheme), and Boris Christoff (Boris Godunov). Interviews include Jon Vickers, Rise Stevens, Giovanni Martinelli, and Magda Olivero. John Ardoin served as music consultant. Premiered March 25, 1998 on PBS. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Those fond of the music of Chris Rea will find this movie very satisfying as his music is the backbone of this film. Rea himself does not appear in it, though he wrote the screenplay. The story concerns Jo, a young Italian immigrant to England who steals an ice-cream recipe from his father, runs away from home, makes a best-selling perfume from the recipe, becomes rich and powerful, and then realizes that his family was more important than everything else. One of the film's notable highlights is auto racing footage from the 1960s. Singer Shirley Bassey appears as herself. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide