The Prestige (2006)

Two stage magicians engage in competitive one-upmanship in an attempt to create the ultimate stage illusion.

Director:

Christopher Nolan

Writers:

Jonathan Nolan (screenplay), Christopher Nolan (screenplay)

Stars:

Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson

Top Rated Movies #49 | Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 5 wins & 32 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Hugh Jackman	...	Robert Angier
Christian Bale	...	Alfred Borden
Michael Caine	...	Cutter
Piper Perabo	...	Julia McCullough
Rebecca Hall	...	Sarah Borden
Scarlett Johansson	...	Olivia Wenscombe
Samantha Mahurin	...	Jess Borden
David Bowie	...	Nikola Tesla
Andy Serkis	...	Alley
Daniel Davis	...	Judge
Jim Piddock	...	Prosecutor
Christopher Neame	...	Defender
Mark Ryan	...	Captain
Roger Rees	...	Owens
Jamie Harris	...	Sullen Warder

Storyline

In the end of the Nineteenth Century, in London, Robert Angier, his beloved wife Julia McCullough and Alfred Borden are friends and assistants of a magician. When Julia accidentally dies during a performance, Robert blames Alfred for her death and they become enemies. Both become famous and rival magicians, sabotaging the performance of the other on the stage. When Alfred performs a successful trick, Robert becomes obsessed trying to disclose the secret of his competitor with tragic consequences.

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Plot Keywords:

rivalry | illusion | magician | secret | obsession | 

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Taglines:

A Friendship That Became a Rivalry.

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Genres:

Drama | Mystery | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images

Details

Official Sites:

Touchstone Pictures [United States] Warner Bros [France]

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 October 2006 (USA)

Also Known As:

Prestige - Die Meister der Magie

Filming Locations:

Spring Street Towers - 650 S. Spring Street, Downtown, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$40,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$14,801,808 (USA) (20 October 2006)

Gross:

$53,082,743 (USA) (2 February 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures, Warner Bros., Newmarket Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Six of the film's stars have played roles in several comic book films. Both Christian Bale and Michael Caine have appeared as Batman and Alfred respectively in Christopher Nolan's own "Dark Knight Trilogy." Hugh Jackman played Wolverine in the X-Men franchise. Scarlett Johansson played Black Widow in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise. Rebecca Hall appeared as Maya Hansen in Iron Man 3 (2013). Andy Serkis played Captain Haddock in The Adventures of Tintin (2011), as well as Ulysses Klaue in Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015).

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Goofs

When Borden a note to leave for Angier by the cemetery, he clearly makes a period to indicate that he is done writing. Later when Angier reads the note it only says "Tesla", without a period.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Alfred Borden: Are you watching closely?

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Connections

Referenced in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.6 (2011)

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Soundtracks

Tripping Gaily
Written and Performed by Ena Baga (as E. Baga)
Courtesy of DeWolfe Music

User Reviews

Outstanding acting performances worth price of admission

I went to see a critics preview of The Prestige this afternoon and to my surprise I found the film to be one of the best I have seen all year so far, and that writers can come up with an excellent script it they would only try a little harder. The acting performances by Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale and Michael Caine were the best I have see in a long while. The only objection I had to the film was that it was a little long, but once you leave the theater you will discuss the film and it many twists and turns. My wife and myself discussed it all the way home from the movie theater. This is a winner and should be up for some academy award statues, and my recommendation is go see this as soon as you can, you will not be disappointed.