Magicians (2007)

A pair of rivaling stage magicians are forced to confront their falling out over a guillotine mishap when they compete in a magic competition.

Director:

Andrew O'Connor

Writers:

David Britland (story), Andy Nyman (story),

Stars:

Robert Webb, David Mitchell, Sarah Hadland

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robert Webb	...	Karl Allen
David Mitchell	...	Harry Kane
Sarah Hadland	...	Carol
Paul Mark Elliott	...	Theatre Manager
Karen Seacombe	...	Female Customer
Phil Nice	...	Male Customer
Jessica Hynes	...	Linda Jones (as Jessica Stevenson)
Darren Boyd	...	Otto Johnson
Miranda Hart	...	Bank Manager
Angel Coulby	...	Receptionist
Robin Weaver	...	Caroline
Priyanga Burford	...	Female Colleague
Andrea Riseborough	...	Dani
Geoffrey McGivern	...	Magic Shop Manager
Marek Larwood	...	Colin

Storyline

A pair of rivaling stage magicians are forced to confront their falling out over a guillotine mishap when they compete in a magic competition.

---

Plot Keywords:

magician | guillotine | double act | comedy team | british comedy | 

---

Taglines:

Don't ask how they do it, ask why?

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 May 2007 (UK)

Also Known As:

Die Magier - Nichts als fauler Zauber

Filming Locations:

Caledonia Place, St Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£366,188 (UK) (18 May 2007)

Gross:

£690,242 (UK) (25 May 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Breakout Films, Intermedia Films, Universal Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min (European Film Market)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The external, and most internal, shots of the theatre on Jersey, where the final of the Magic Shield competition is held, were shot at the Theatre Royal in Nottingham. Many of the theatre's ushers were recruited as extras to play ushers in the film.

---

Goofs

When Harry Kane is flying back to London from Jersey the aircraft on the runway is a Flybe Dash 8 Q400 which does fly that route. The interior in the next shot however is filmed in a much larger aircraft with 6 seats across (the Q400 has 4 across) and while he is having his panic attack Harry refers to the oxygen masks in the safety briefing which the Q400 doesn't have.

---

Quotes

[introducing Magibot]
Mike Francis: This man has been the future of magic for nigh on twenty years now!

---

Crazy Credits

There's an additional scene featuring Karl's manager after the end credits.

---

Connections

Referenced in Friday Night with Jonathan Ross: Episode #11.5 (2006)

---

Soundtracks

The Cat
Performed by Jimmy Smith
Written by Lalo Schifrin
Published by EMI Music Publishing Ltd.
Courtesy of Verve Records (United States)
Under license from Universal Music Operations

User Reviews

Mitchell & Webb fail to capture the Peep Show magic

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

David Mitchell and Robert Webb, who became cult favourites with the TV classic Peep Show, failed to re-capture that magic with this hugely disappointing big screen outing. Taking aim at the world of stage act magicians, this has them as one time best friends in the same profession, who fall out when the one has an affair with the other's wife and subsequently he accidentally kills her. Years later, they find themselves rivals in a magic competition and it's all set for fireworks.

The same formula Mitchell & Webb worked in Peep Show (and even That Mitchell and Webb Look) is here, Mitchell as the hesitant, well spoken guy who suddenly explodes in fits of rage and Webb as the more outspoken, confident guy with a ruthless, selfish edge to him. It all plays basically like Peep Show The Movie but somewhere towards the beginning you lose interest, the laughs fail to flow and you find it a huge slog to the end. Definitely without the 'magic' touch. **