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The Magician (1958)
"Ansiktet" (original title)

 -  Drama  -  27 August 1959 (USA)
7.6
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Ratings: 7.6/10 from 3,833 users  
Reviews: 20 user | 36 critic

When 'Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater' comes to town, there's bound to be a spectacle. Reading reports of a variety of supernatural disturbances at Vogler's prior performances abroad, the ... See full summary »

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Title: The Magician (1958)

The Magician (1958) on IMDb 7.6/10

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Nominated for 1 BAFTA Film Award. Another 1 win & 1 nomination. See more awards »
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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
...
Albert Emanuel Vogler
...
Manda Vogler (alias Mr. Aman)
...
Dr. Vergerus, Minister of Health
Naima Wifstrand ...
Granny Vogler
...
Johan Spegel
...
Sara Lindqvist
Gertrud Fridh ...
Ottilia Egerman
Lars Ekborg ...
Simson, the coach driver
Toivo Pawlo ...
Police Superintendant Starbeck
...
Consul Egerman
Åke Fridell ...
Tubal
Sif Ruud ...
Sofia Garp
Oscar Ljung ...
Antonsson, burly stableman
Ulla Sjöblom ...
Henrietta Starbeck
Axel Düberg ...
Rustan, young manservant
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Storyline

When 'Vogler's Magnetic Health Theater' comes to town, there's bound to be a spectacle. Reading reports of a variety of supernatural disturbances at Vogler's prior performances abroad, the leading townspeople (including the police chief and medical examiner) request that their troupe provide them a sample of their act, before allowing them public audiences. The scientific-minded disbelievers try to expose them as charlatans, but Vogler and his crew prove too clever for them. Written by Tad Dibbern <DIBBERN_D@a1.mscf.upenn.edu>

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Plot Keywords:

parable | 1800s | illusion | magician

Taglines:

Into the Nether-World! You'll Gasp At This Occult Hypnotic Experience Into the Supernatural! See more »

Genres:

Drama

Certificate:

Not Rated | See all certifications »
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Details

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Release Date:

27 August 1959 (USA)  »

Also Known As:

The Magician  »

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Did You Know?

Trivia

The character name Vergerus is one that recurs throughout Bergman's work and is generally associated with lack of emotion and heartlessness. See more »

Quotes

Johan Spegel: I've prayed one prayer in my life: Use me, O God! But He never understood what a devoted slave I'd have been. So I was never used... But that too is a lie. Step by step you go into the dark. The movement itself is the only truth.
See more »

Connections

Referenced in Siskel & Ebert: Remembering Gene Siskel (1999) See more »

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User Reviews

 
Very interesting but overlooked
18 November 2012 | by (United Kingdom) – See all my reviews

Ever since seeing The Seventh Seal, I have become a fan of Ingmar Bergman. Maybe The Magician is not up there with his finest, but of the Bergman movies I've seen so far(which is perhaps a little under 2/3 of his filmography) every single one of them are worth watching in some way or other and The Magician is no exception. Maybe the ending, while intriguing is rather rushed, but as always with Bergman there is so much good. As to be expected, I love the look of the film, the settings are appropriately Gothic and everything is beautifully shot. Bergman's direction is also superb, no qualms there, while the symbols and images are meaningful and stay in your mind for a long time. The music is appropriately haunting, while the story has its compelling magic along with its fair share of fun and thrills and the dialogue is very thought-provoking. The characters are also interesting, and this is elevated hugely by the acting. Max Von Sydow gives a bravura performance, not a surprise as he is a wonderful actor whose face alone tells so much. Ingrid Thulin, Gunnar Bjornstrand, Bibbi Andersen and Naima Wifstrand give splendid support as well. All in all, The Magician is a very interesting Bergman film but sadly it is also an overlooked one. 9/10 Bethany Cox


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