The Illusionist (2006)

In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.

Director:

Neil Burger

Writers:

Neil Burger (screenplay), Steven Millhauser (short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")

Stars:

Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, Paul Giamatti

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 10 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Edward Norton	...	Eisenheim
Paul Giamatti	...	Inspector Uhl
Jessica Biel	...	Sophie
Rufus Sewell	...	Crown Prince Leopold
Eddie Marsan	...	Josef Fischer (as Edward Marsan)
Jake Wood	...	Jurka
Tom Fisher	...	Willigut
Aaron Taylor-Johnson	...	Young Eisenheim (as Aaron Johnson)
Eleanor Tomlinson	...	Young Sophie
Karl Johnson	...	Doctor / Old Man
Vincent Franklin	...	Loschek
Nicholas Blane	...	Herr Doebler
Philip McGough	...	Dr. Hofzinser
Erich Redman	...	Count Rainer
Michael Carter	...	Von Thurnburg

Storyline

In late nineteenth century Vienna, renowned illusionist Eisenheim is reunited with the Duchess von Teschen when she is volunteered from the audience to participate in an illusion during one of his performances. Despite having not seen each other in fifteen years when they were teenagers, they almost immediately recognize each other as Eduard Abramovich and Sophie von Teschen, they who had a doomed romance at that time due to their class differences. The Duchess is soon to be wed to the Crown Prince Leopold in what would be for him a marriage solely in pursuit of power: overthrowing his father, the Emperor Leopold, as well as overtaking the Hungarian side of the empire. The Crown Prince is known to use violence against women if it suits his needs or purposes. As such, the Duchess, who realizes that she still loves Eisenheim and he her, can never leave the Crown Prince without it jeopardizing her life. After Eisenheim humiliates the Crown Prince at a private show which results in an ...

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Plot Keywords:

magician | prince | duchess | supernatural power | illusionist | 

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Taglines:

Nothing is what it seems

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Romance | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA Czech Republic

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 September 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Illusionist - Nichts ist wie es scheint

Filming Locations:

Prague Castle, Hradcany, Prague, Czech Republic

Box Office

Budget:

$16,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$927,956 (USA) (18 August 2006)

Gross:

$39,825,798 (USA) (12 January 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bull's Eye Entertainment, Bob Yari Productions, Contagious Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

110 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The trick of the Orange Tree was made famous by a 19th Century French magician named Robert-Houdin. It was from Robert-Houdin that another magician, Ehrich Weiss, came up with the stage name "Houdini." This trick is first mentioned in old Indian manuscript as an illusion by Faux. Analogical trick was also performed by Pinetti, an 18th Century magician, but instead of oranges, he used lemons. Houdini was the first one to use real fruits.

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Goofs

Choreographer Marleen Pennison, Movement Coach for the film, is incorrectly credited as "Maureen Pennison".

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Quotes

[first lines]
woman in audience: It's her. I know it's her! She wants to tell us something.

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Connections

Referenced in BoJack Horseman: The BoJack Horseman Show (2016)

User Reviews

A Wonderful, suspenseful, sensual escape from reality

I love movies of all type for different reasons. Action movies to become stimulated physically, comedies to laugh my troubles away, suspense to sit on the edge of my seat. But mostly, I attend movies to escape from a humdrum and dangerous world. "The Illusionist" is the ultimate in escape movies. It is gripping from he opening scene and the grip lasts until the final realization. The story is masterfully crafted and the screenplay intriguing. The special effects and illusions are entertainment enough. But all of this surrounded in the backdrop of the story, it's movement from one idea to another is an added treat. First there is the marvelous acting of all the major actors, surrounded by great support. The cinematography and music are awesome. This movie is filled with entertainment, suspense, romance, sensuality tastefully done, treachery and surprises. I have not been so entranced by a movie since the first Banderas Zorro movie. I didn't look at my watch once and the one hour and forty-five minutes flew by in delight. I want to see this movie over and over again. and I will still marvel at its perfection. You all must go and see it.