The Magical World of Disney (TV Series) Young Harry Houdini (1987) User Reviews

Fun movie

[Tinyhippy · 21 September 2001]

I actually really liked this movie. Wil Wheaton, still fresh from "Stand By Me" gives a good performance as the young Harry Houdini. The story is fun and interesting, and some parts quite funny. I'd recommend this for a lazy sunday afternoon.

They should have never stopped making this movie

[anotherviolation · 10/10 · 28 August 2005]

Young Harry Houdini is the best movie Wil Wheaton ever made. He is surprisingly cute as a young teenager. This is an excellent example of of good clean family humor. It has you laughing without the use of crudeness and profanity. They should have never deleted it. At the age of 16 or so, Eric Weiss leaves his home and his best friend/brother to pursue his dream of becoming the worlds greatest magician. This is a very touching scene because he is very close to his brother, and he knows he may not see him again. He joins a circus and the ring leader becomes a father figure to him while a silent Native American Medicine man is his mentor. He finds love and finds himself as he learns to look within for his true abilities. Eventually he changes his name and becomes the greatest magician in the world. I haven't included any good stuff in this review because I don't want to ruin it for you when you watch it! I currently own a few copies of this movie that I collect, so please contact me at [e-mail] if you would like one. Everyone should see this movie. It appeals to all ages and styles.

Really good made for TV movie

[existenz-6 · 10/10 · 14 July 2001]

I haven't seen this since 1987, but just the fact that I remember it so fondly means that it had an impression on me. This was an entertaining, finely crafted movie that shows how Houdini picked up on magic during his teen years. This is a good companion piece to the other TV film, "Young Sherlock Holmes". Both are fun and well worth watching. I only wish this one was available on video.

A real sleeper.

[standardmetal · 9/10 · 28 May 2002]

I too haven't seen the movie since '87 but I remember it as an excellent and surprising film. I don't think it's all that factual but it is essentially true all the same. I think the ending is perfect and we can see how Houdini and Doyle became antagonists after their earlier friendship. Doyle, of course, was the creator and author of the Sherlock Holmes mysteries. Holmes was, as a detective generally dependent on his reasoning faculties but Conan Doyle himself never lost his naive belief in the supernatural and spiritualism and insisted Harry had to do his effects by extra-normal means, This, Houdini vehemently denied.

Main cast: Ehrich Weiss / Young Harry Houdini... Wil Wheaton Adult Harry Houdini: ...Jeffrey DeMunn Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: ...Roy Dotrice Theo: ...Ross Harris Dr. Tybalt Grimaldi: ...José Ferrer

The only other decent dramatic treatment of Houdini's life was the TV movie "The Great Houdini"; the highly fictionalized Tony-Janet film made me furious!

Judging by the reaction to my "useless" review, readers agree with Sir Arthur that he had to do his magic by extra-normal means. Oh, please!!!!

Finally, may I recommend, if you are sufficiently interested, that you watch the actual interview with the real Conan Doyle on YouTube.

A magical tv film

[bradmagic · 7 January 2002]

I have had a chance of watching this film very recently. I was very happy to view it.

The film has good acting. A young Will Wheaton appears as the young Harry Houdini. Mr. Wheaton's acting skills are new, and not yet experienced. The rest of the cast make the film wonderful.

Using locations on the old Disney backlot, and at Golden Oak Ranch, we are transported to the late 19th Century. We view the struggle that Houdini had with his father. His father did not want him to be a magician.

I didn't like the ending! It's just not right. There could have been another way to end it.

Otherwise, a good film.