The Magic Flute (2002)

Tamino, pursued by a serpent, faints as the animal approaches him. Three Ladies appear and slay the serpent. They hope that the handsome prince can be of use to their ruler, the Queen of the Night. When Papageno, a bird-catcher, brags that he killed the serpent himself, the Three Ladies punish him for lying. They give Tamino a portrait of Pamina, the daughter of the Queen of the Night, and he instantly falls in love. The Queen begs him to rescue her daughter from Sarastro, who has abducted her. The Three Ladies give Tamino a magic flute to help him on his quest, and Papageno a set of magic bells. Three Spirits guide them on their journey.

Monostatos, Sarastro’s slave, captures Pamina, but is scared off by Papageno. Papageno and Pamina befriend each other, and run off to search for Tamino. The Spirits lead Tamino to three temples. The Spokesman tells Tamino that the Queen has deceived him and he will only learn the truth from Sarastro and his followers. When Pamina and Papageno are confronted by Monostatos and his slaves, Papageno enchants his captors with the magic bells.
Monostatos leads Tamino into Sarastro’s court. He demands a reward for preventing Pamina’s flight, but Sarastro punishes him instead for his lustful advances towards the girl. Sarastro decrees that Tamino and Papageno will undergo the Trials of the Temple.

Sarastro asks his priests to pray that Tamino succeeds in his Trials, so that he and Pamina can become the new rulers of the realm. Two priests prepare Tamino and Papageno for the Trial of Silence. The Three Ladies invade the temple and unsuccessfully try to convince the pair to rejoin the forces of the Queen of the Night.

Monostatos attempts to seduce the sleeping Pamina, but is frightened off by the Queen of the Night, who gives Pamina a dagger and commands her to kill Sarastro. Monostatos has overheard and threatens Pamina, but Sarastro rescues her and tells her that in this realm, unlike that of her mother, there is no vengeance.

Tamino and Papageno continue the Trial of Silence, and Pamina is distraught when Tamino refuses to speak to her. Papageno meets an old crone who introduces herself as his wife. He makes fun of her, but changes his mind when she is transformed into Papagena, a beautiful young woman. The Spokesman tells Papageno he cannot embrace Papagena because he is still not worthy of her.

Tamino is prepared for his last Trial. Pamina, undone by Tamino’s seeming indifference, decides to kill herself. The Three Spirits stop her and lead her to her beloved. Together, Tamino and Pamina undergo the Trials of Fire and Water.

Papageno tries to hang himself when he cannot find Papagena. The Three Spirits tell him to use his magic bells, and when Papagena appears, they contemplate a happy future. The Queen of the Night, the Three Ladies, and Monostatos attempt to destroy Sarastro’s temple, but are foiled in their effort. As night is banished forever, Sarastro and his followers hail Tamino and Pamina, and the entire kingdom is bathed in light.