Lord of Illusions (1995)

A private detective gets more than he bargains for when he encounters Philip Swan, a performer whose amazing illusions captive the world, but they are not really what everyone thinks.

Director:

Clive Barker

Writers:

Clive Barker (story "The Last Illusion"), Clive Barker (screenplay)

Stars:

Scott Bakula, Kevin J. O'Connor, J. Trevor Edmond

2 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
J. Trevor Edmond	...	Young Butterfield (as Trevor Edmond)
Daniel von Bargen	...	Nix
Kevin J. O'Connor	...	Philip Swann
Joseph Latimore	...	Caspar Quaid
Sheila Tousey	...	Jennifer Desiderio
Susan Traylor	...	Maureen Pimm
Ashley Tesoro	...	Young Dorothea (as Ashley Lyn Cafagna)
Michael Angelo Stuno	...	Lead Male Cultist
Keith Brunsmann	...	Snakeman
Barbara Patrick	...	Lead Female Cultist
Scott Bakula	...	Harry D'Amour
Wayne Grace	...	Loomis
Mikey LeBeau	...	Exorcised Boy
Robb Humphreys	...	D'Amour's Demon
Jimmy Shaw	...	Motel Bellboy (as James Brandon Shaw)

Storyline

During a routine case in L.A., NY private investigator Harry D'Amour stumbles over members of a fanatic cult, who are waiting for the resurrection of their leader Nix. 13 years ago, Nix was gunned down by his best trainee Swann. In the meantime Swann is advanced to a popular illusionist like David Copperfield and is married to the charming Dorothea. She hires D'Amour to protect Swann against the evil cult members. A short time later Swann is killed by one of his own tricks and the occurrences are turning over, and it crackles between Dorothea and D'Amour.

---

Plot Keywords:

neo noir | private detective | magician | cult | illusionist | 

---

Taglines:

Prepare for the coming

---

Genres:

Horror | Mystery | Thriller

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for strong violence and gore, and for language and sexuality

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture started out as a Polygram Filmed Entertainment production, under the guidance of Steve Golin and Sigurjon Sighvatsson. When Polygram encountered financial woes, the film was sold off to MGM/UA, who were looking for films to release under their newly re-established United Artists banner.

---

Goofs

When Harry and Billy find the secret compartment that contains the documents there is a tin box on top of the paperwork, when the bundle is pulled-out, there is no sign of the tin box.

---

Quotes

[first lines]
Title Card: There are two worlds of magic. One is the glittering domain of the illusionist. The other is a secret place, where magic is a terrifying reality. Here, men have the power of demons. And Death itself is an illusion.

---

Alternate Versions

The laserdisc version runs 122 minutes and features graphic violence and 12 minutes of non-violent extra scenes. This director's cut has also been released on video in the US.

---

Connections

Referenced in Blood and Guts with Scott Ian: Gary Tunnicliffe Takes a Bite Out of Scott Ian (2012)

---

Soundtracks

Laura
Written by Bubba Hernandez
Performed by Brave Combo
Courtesy of Rounder Records
By Arrangement with Ocean Park Music Group

User Reviews

Fascinating!

Clive Barker, the writer and director, has not made one regrettable step in his career. Lord of Illusions is a phenominal film unlike anything ever seen. Barker is, without fail, the only truely original and visionary man working in an otherwise lackluster industry. His films are bold, original, breathtaking and oddly quite beautiful. Lord of Illusions does not disappoint. The slithering plot is engaging, dramatic, frightening and indeed morbid spinning a tale of a detective who has a lingering tie to the darkside. This is an adult nightmare and is not intended for younger audiances at all. It is intelligent, opulant, impressive and twisted. Georgeous and repulsive at the same time. Though Hellraiser and Nightbreed are wonderful in and of themselves, it is Lord of Illusions that is Clive's masterwork... that is until Tortured Souls comes out.

Details

Official Sites:

MGM-UA

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 August 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lord of Illusions

Filming Locations:

Mojave Desert, Arizona, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$4,800,258, 27 August 1995

Gross USA:

$13,294,422

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$13,294,422

Company Credits

Production Co:

Seraphim Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min 119 min (director's cut) 121 min (director's cut)

Sound Mix:

DTS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1