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IMDbPro

The Illusionist

  • 20062006
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
371K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,943
154
Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti in The Illusionist (2006)
Official Trailer for The Illusionist
Play trailer2:33
3 Videos
99+ Photos
DramaFantasyMystery
In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.In turn-of-the-century Vienna, a magician uses his abilities to secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
371K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,943
154
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Director
      • Neil Burger
    • Writers
      • Neil Burger(screenplay)
      • Steven Millhauser(short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")
    • Stars
      • Edward Norton
      • Jessica Biel
      • Paul Giamatti
    Top credits
    • Director
      • Neil Burger
    • Writers
      • Neil Burger(screenplay)
      • Steven Millhauser(short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")
    • Stars
      • Edward Norton
      • Jessica Biel
      • Paul Giamatti
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 725User reviews
    • 222Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 11 wins & 12 nominations total

    Videos3

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 2:33
    Official Trailer
    Clip
    Clip 3:10
    Clip
    Interview
    Interview 4:48
    Interview

    Photos114

    Edward Norton and Jessica Biel in The Illusionist (2006)
    Edward Norton in The Illusionist (2006)
    Jessica Biel in The Illusionist (2006)
    Rufus Sewell in The Illusionist (2006)
    Paul Giamatti in The Illusionist (2006)
    Edward Norton in The Illusionist (2006)
    Rufus Sewell in The Illusionist (2006)
    Edward Norton and Jessica Biel in The Illusionist (2006)
    Edward Norton and Jessica Biel in The Illusionist (2006)
    Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, and Eddie Marsan in The Illusionist (2006)
    Edward Norton in The Illusionist (2006)
    Edward Norton and Jessica Biel in The Illusionist (2006)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Edward Norton
    Edward Norton
    • Eisenheim
    Jessica Biel
    Jessica Biel
    • Sophie
    Paul Giamatti
    Paul Giamatti
    • Inspector Uhl
    Rufus Sewell
    Rufus Sewell
    • Crown Prince Leopold
    Eddie Marsan
    Eddie Marsan
    • Josef Fischer
    • (as Edward Marsan)
    Jake Wood
    Jake Wood
    • Jurka
    Tom Fisher
    Tom Fisher
    • Willigut
    Aaron Taylor-Johnson
    Aaron Taylor-Johnson
    • Young Eisenheim
    • (as Aaron Johnson)
    Eleanor Tomlinson
    Eleanor Tomlinson
    • Young Sophie
    Karl Johnson
    Karl Johnson
    • Doctor…
    Vincent Franklin
    Vincent Franklin
    • Loschek
    Nicholas Blane
    Nicholas Blane
    • Herr Doebler
    Philip McGough
    • Dr. Hofzinser
    Erich Redman
    Erich Redman
    • Count Rainer
    Michael Carter
    Michael Carter
    • Von Thurnburg
    Vanessa Gendron
    • Shouting Woman
    Matthew Blood-Smyth
    Matthew Blood-Smyth
    • Man Who Incites Riot
    David Forest
    • Traveling Magician
    • Director
      • Neil Burger
    • Writers
      • Neil Burger(screenplay)
      • Steven Millhauser(short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      So that the crew would not have to use CGI to "fake" the magical illusions seen, Norton received intensive training in sleight of hand and other stage magic techniques from British magician James Freedman and American magician Ricky Jay.
    • Goofs
      The coins the Illusionist gives the poor children each have a ring surrounding a differently colored disc. The technology to make those coins is only a few decades old. They're Czech 50 heller coins, introduced in 1993.
    • Quotes

      Eisenheim: From the moment we enter this life we are in the flow of it. We measure it and we mark it, but we cannot defy it. We cannot even speed it up or slow it down. Or can we? Have we not each experienced the sensation that a beautiful moment seemed to pass to quickly, and wished that we could make it linger? Or felt time slow on a dull day, and wished that we could speed things up a bit?

    • Connections
      Featured in The Making of 'the Illusionist' (2007)

    User reviews725

    Review
    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    Awesome and handsome film set in early 1900's Vienna about a magician , his lover and a nasty prince
    Imaginative and intriguing flick set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, where takes place a crash of wits between a famous magician , a price and and a Police Inspector . This enjoyable and fresh story about intense rivalry among an ambitious , easy-going magician named Eisenheim (Edward Norton who did many of his own magic tricks, with the coaching of James Freedman) who becomes a prestigious illusionist and get mutual envy , a Police chief (Paul Giamatti) and the heir prince (Rufus Sewel) ; being set in turn-of-the last century , Vienna (although the film is set in Austria, it was filmed mostly in the Czech Republic) . Their escalating cat and mouse feud is played out in palaces , theaters and Vienna streets . Eisenheim (his character is closely based on the magician and supposed clairvoyant Erik Jan Hanussen, who was famous in Vienna in the early part of the 20th century and was murdered by Nazi soldiers in 1933) delivers the most spectacular version of a teleportation trick that calls for something like real magic . The stage illusionist falls in love with a woman well above his social standing . He will use his abilities to secure the love of a gorgeous girl (Jessica Biel replaced Liv Tyler, who dropped out of the film just as filming was about to begin) far above his social standing as the magician use his powers to combat his enemies . The Duchess Von Teschen 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 .

    This splendid movie is stunning in many aspects and blends appropriately various genres : the lush romantic period piece during nineteenth century Victorian Era , mystery thriller and fantasy . The picture gets it all : suspense , mystery drama , star crossed lovers , plot twists , murders ,tragedy , exquisite costumes and supernatural illusions . It inhabits a world between reality and illusion as when Inspector's investigation develops , it's amazingly unclear whether the illusionist is the performer of unbelievably excellent tricks or genuine supernatural acts . Explicitly modelled on the pattern of a magic trick , it's also bound by the rules of the mystery thriller genre . And in devoting so much room to romantic subplot , the picture ends up breaking the magician's cardinal rules . Featuring an excellent casting, as main actors, Edward Norton , Jessica Biel and Paul Giamatti as well as eclectic secondaries , Rufus Sewel , Jake Wood and Eddie Marsan .Although the story is fictional, some of the details are based on the life of Austrian Crown Prince Rudolf, only son of Emperor Franz Josef. The painting of the emperor which Eisenheim creates is an actual portrait of Franz Josef ; the bodies of Rudolf and his mistress, the Baroness Mary Vetsera, were found at his hunting lodge Mayerling on January 30, 1889 in what is now known as the "Mayerling Incident". This was initially covered up by the Imperial Family, creating controversy and mystery. Luxurious attention to period detail in brilliant costumes and spectacular production design . Beautifully and mesmerizing cinematography by Dick Pope ; too marvelously photographed in a red sepia palette flashed with colorful images . Intriguing as well as evocative musical score by Philip Glass . The motion picture was perfectly directed by innovator director Neal Burger , a filmmaker who has filmed notorious movies such as ¨The lucky ones¨ , ¨Interview with the assassin¨ and his most successful , ¨Limitless¨ . At the same time was made another film (2006) with similar theme about magicians titled ¨The prestige¨ (2006) by Christopher Nolan with Hugh Jackman , Christian Bale and Michael Caine . 'The illusionist' results to be a magnificent picture which achieved much success . Rating : Above average, it was throughly amusing and exciting , and no as predictable as you would think . The film turns out to be a complete pleasure to watch these actors at this work , it's highly recommended and keep you guessing until final

    .
    helpful•10
    3
    • ma-cortes
    • Jan 12, 2013

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 1, 2006 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • Czech Republic
    • Official site
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • El ilusionista
    • Filming locations
      • Konopiste Palace, Benesov, Czech Republic
    • Production companies
      • Bull's Eye Entertainment
      • Bob Yari Productions
      • Contagious Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $16,500,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $39,868,642
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $927,956
      • Aug 20, 2006
    • Gross worldwide
      • $87,892,388
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 50 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • SDDS
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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