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The Illusionist

  • 20062006
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 50m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
369K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,717
5
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Edward Norton, Jessica Biel, and Paul Giamatti in The Illusionist (2006)
Official Trailer for The Illusionist
Play trailer2:33
3 Videos
99+ Photos
  • Drama
  • Fantasy
  • Mystery

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
369K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,717
5
  • 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
    • 718User reviews
    • 221Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • 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
    • Eisenheimas Eisenheim
    Jessica Biel
    Jessica Biel
    • Sophieas Sophie
    Paul Giamatti
    Paul Giamatti
    • Inspector Uhlas Inspector Uhl
    Rufus Sewell
    Rufus Sewell
    • Crown Prince Leopoldas Crown Prince Leopold
    Eddie Marsan
    Eddie Marsan
    • Josef Fischeras Josef Fischer
    • (as Edward Marsan)
    Jake Wood
    Jake Wood
    • Jurkaas Jurka
    Tom Fisher
    Tom Fisher
    • Willigutas Willigut
    Aaron Taylor-Johnson
    Aaron Taylor-Johnson
    • Young Eisenheimas Young Eisenheim
    • (as Aaron Johnson)
    Eleanor Tomlinson
    Eleanor Tomlinson
    • Young Sophieas Young Sophie
    Karl Johnson
    Karl Johnson
    • Doctoras Doctor…
    Vincent Franklin
    Vincent Franklin
    • Loschekas Loschek
    Nicholas Blane
    Nicholas Blane
    • Herr Doebleras Herr Doebler
    Philip McGough
    • Dr. Hofzinseras Dr. Hofzinser
    Erich Redman
    Erich Redman
    • Count Raineras Count Rainer
    Michael Carter
    Michael Carter
    • Von Thurnburgas Von Thurnburg
    Vanessa Gendron
    • Shouting Womanas Shouting Woman
    Matthew Blood-Smyth
    Matthew Blood-Smyth
    • Man Who Incites Riotas Man Who Incites Riot
    David Forest
    • Traveling Magicianas Traveling Magician
    • Director
      • Neil Burger
    • Writers
      • Neil Burger(screenplay)
      • Steven Millhauser(short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit
    In late nineteenth century Vienna, renowned illusionist Eisenheim is reunited with the Duchess von Teschen when she is volunteered from the audience to participate in an illusion during one of his performances. Despite having not seen each other in fifteen years when they were teenagers, they almost immediately recognize each other as Eduard Abramovich and Sophie von Teschen, they who had a doomed romance at that time due to their class differences. The Duchess 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. The Crown Prince is known to use violence against women if it suits his needs or purposes. As such, the Duchess, who realizes that she still loves Eisenheim and he her, can never leave the Crown Prince without it jeopardizing her life. After Eisenheim humiliates the Crown Prince at a private show which results in an incident between the Crown Prince and the Duchess, the battle between Eisenheim and the Crown Prince moves into the public performance realm, which many believe demonstrates Eisenheim's supernatural powers. Much of the work for the Crown Prince in the battle with Eisenheim is conducted by Chief Inspector Uhl, who would become the Chief of Police under the Crown Prince's reign. As such, Uhl may have ulterior motives in turning a blind eye to any unlawful act of the Crown Prince against Eisenheim or the Duchess. —Huggo
    • cheering crowd
    • magician
    • illusionist
    • police inspector
    • 1890s
    • 206 more
    • Plot summary
    • Plot synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Nothing is what it seems
    • Genres
      • Drama
      • Fantasy
      • Mystery
      • Romance
      • Thriller
    • Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)
      • Rated PG-13 for some sexuality and violence
    • Parents guide

    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
      Near the end, Chief Inspector Uhl is in Prince Leopold's office. When the two argue, the boom mic is visible, going from one character to the other, in the reflection on the brass table lamp.
    • 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 reviews718

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    This is not a Review. This is only an Illusion.
    "The Illusionist" is a unique film that combines two often stale genres into something fresh: the lush romantic period piece and the "AHA!" mystery thriller (a genre M. Night Shamalyan has single-handedly run into the ground recently). Helmed by a first time director (Neil Burger), based on a short story, and featuring an eclectic cast, "The Illusionist" had the perfect set-up to be a monumental disaster. With a graceful slight-of-hand, it ends up being something very good.

    As with any run-of-the-mill period piece, there's a lavish attention to the set designs and costumes, here representing late nineteenth century Vienna. Director Burger puts a nice spin on the same-old, same-old with an acute attention to lighting (especially in the dreamily over-exposed flashbacks) and old fashioned camera techniques (witness the circular camera's eye closing to transition from scenes) to give the film the feel of being a fond memory of a classic movie from a bygone era.

    The central romance where Edward Norton's title character and Jessica Biel's Dutchess are star-crossed lovers kept apart because of class and society, had all the makings of a snore-inducing cheese-athon. Executed in an understated manner that services the greater plot, it ends up being anything but. Norton's performance, especially in the second half of the film when he turns into a man of very few words, had the potential to be one-note. As an actor, he speaks volumes with his eyes. Biel, a former teen idol and TV star, seemed a horrific choice for this role. She pulls of the nifty trick of being quite good. Even better are Rufus Sewell as the tyrannical crown-prince and Paul Giamatti as the chief inspector. Using a short story as the source material, characterizations had the potential to be paper-thin, but these seasoned veterans make the most of their lines and scenes adding terror, humor, and gravitas through their vocal and physical deliveries where lesser actors would've been wooden and cold. The entire cast also worked together very well utilizing their odd, vaguely European and aristorcatic accent. Everyone used it so consistently and earnestly, it didn't seem to matter after awhile that the accent was unnecessary.

    A more over-eager or pretentious director may have completely sabotaged the fantastic ending to "The Illusionist" and cheated the audience. Handled deftly by Burger, the grande finale where "all is revealed" is a wholly organic and satisfying conclusion that rewards the patient viewer and fulfills the lofty promises of the themes presented throughout the work.

    "The Illusionist" boasts an excellent music score from minimalist composer Phillip Glass that easily rivals his great work done in "Candyman" and "The Hours." Norton and Giamatti treat us to some of the best "staring" since the days of silent films. The look on Giamatti's face and the positioning of his raised eyebrows as he watches Norton perform his illusions coupled with Norton's eyes as he pulls off his tricks are priceless.
    helpful•376
    73
    • WriterDave
    • Aug 21, 2006

    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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