The Prestige

20062006
PG-13PG-13
2h 10min

Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Scarlett Johansson in The Prestige (2006)

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

Drama Mystery Sci-Fi

After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.After a tragic accident, two stage magicians engage in a battle to create the ultimate illusion while sacrificing everything they have to outwit each other.

Director
- Christopher Nolan
Writers
- Jonathan Nolan(screenplay)
- Christopher Nolan(screenplay)
- Christopher Priest(novel)
Stars

See production, box office & company info

See production, box office & company info

Top rated movie #47

Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 6 wins & 45 nominations total

Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman in The Prestige (2006)

Jonathan Nolan in The Prestige (2006)

Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman in The Prestige (2006)

Christian Bale in The Prestige (2006)

Hugh Jackman in The Prestige (2006)

David Bowie, Hugh Jackman, and Andy Serkis in The Prestige (2006)

David Bowie in The Prestige (2006)

Hugh Jackman and Christopher Nolan in The Prestige (2006)

Hugh Jackman and Andy Serkis in The Prestige (2006)

David Bowie in The Prestige (2006)

Andy Serkis in The Prestige (2006)

Hugh Jackman and Scarlett Johansson in The Prestige (2006)

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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. —Claudio Carvalho, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

rivalry magician illusion magic obsession 342 more

Taglines
- A Friendship That Became a Rivalry.
Genres
Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
- Rated PG-13 for violence and disturbing images
Parents guide

Trivia
Chung Ling Soo was a stage character created by William Ellsworth Robinson, a white man who disguised himself as a Chinese man to cash in on audiences' enthusiasm for the exotic. Robinson lived as Chung, never breaking character while in public. He died in March 1918, when a bullet-catch trick went wrong. "My God, I've been shot" were both his last words and the first English he had spoken on stage in nineteen years.

Goofs
When Angier visits Tesla in February, it is obviously winter, with snow on the ground. Yet after a brief meeting they venture out to a balcony, where it is summer, with green foliage, and no breath visible.

Quotes
Cutter: Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called "The Pledge". The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course... it probably isn't. The second act is called "The Turn". The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you're looking for the secret... but you won't find it, because of course you're not really looking. You don't really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn't clap yet. Because making something disappear isn't enough; you have to bring it back. That's why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call "The Prestige"."

Connections
Featured in At the Movies: The Prestige/Flicka/Marie Antoinette/A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006)

Soundtracks
Drinkin' Down the Rose & Crown
Composed by Keith Nichols
Courtesy of APM

Top review

One of the best movies EVER

What makes this movie so incredible is that while it is indeed a movie about magicians (or illusionists) it is also a complex character study about how self destructive obsessions are with a sideline love story and a sci-fi twist. A unique plot with an amazing cast--any of whom could believably garner an Oscar nomination. Christian Bale was amazing in one of his rare cockney performances. We already know from Kate and Leopold how well Hugh Jackman plays a distinguished English gent. He's absolutely priceless. Is there any point in discussing Sir Michael Caine? He brings polish to the movie.

This is the kind of flick that you can discuss for weeks after. The plot is so detailed and complete and open to interpretation. My friend and I have been discussing various nuances of this film for the past 3 weeks. It definitely stays with you.

helpful•610

207

UrbanFilmCritic
Oct 19, 2006

Release date
- October 20, 2006 (United States)
Countries of origin
- United Kingdom
- United States
Language
- English
Also known as
- Ảo Thuật Gia Đấu Trí
Filming locations
- Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Colorado, USA
Production companies
See more company credits at IMDbPro

Budget
- $40,000,000 (estimated)
Gross US & Canada
- $53,089,891
Opening weekend US & Canada
- $14,801,808
- Oct 22, 2006
Gross worldwide
- $109,676,311

See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

Runtime
- 2h 10min
Color
- Color
Sound mix
Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1

Reminiscence Trailer Reunites Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson on HBO Max This Summer

Reminiscence Trailer Reunites Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Ferguson on HBO Max This Summer

The Complete Works Ep. 97: Christopher Nolan – The Prestige (2006)

The Complete Works Ep. 97: Christopher Nolan – The Prestige (2006)

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