Feature films about magicians and illusionists attract people with their mystery and entertainment. Magicians are people who know that which is unknown to the ordinary mortal. At the same time, everyone understands that this is not about magic, but only about sleight of hand. But unraveling the secret of the illusionist is not so simple. So, what kind of paintings is a must-see for an illusionist?
Oz: Great and Terrible
If we list children's films about magicians and illusionists, the list must necessarily begin with the 2013 film adaptation of Oz: The Great and Terrible.
The plot of this tale is well known to children from all over the world. The story of a girl from Kansas, which a hurricane brought to the land of wizards, living lumberjacks and talking lions, has been retold many times by various writers. One of the main characters of the tale is the wizard of Oz, whom everyone considers a powerful and terrible magician. But in fact, Oz is an ordinary person who knows the art of illusion.
Hollywood director Sam Raimi decided to give this story a second life, and Walt Disney Pictures supported his idea. In the new adaptation of the fairy tale story, stars such as Mila Kunis (Black Swan), James Franco (Tristan and Isolda), Rachel Weiss (Constantine: Lord of the Darkness) and Michelle Williams (7 days and nights with Marilyn) "). To recreate Oz's illusionary rides on the screen, a ton of special effects was needed.
"Love Formula"
Of course, computer graphics were not used in Soviet films, but Mark Zakharov’s film “The Formula of Love” did not get any worse.
In 1984, the legendary Soviet director made a film about several days of stay in Russia by the famous predictor Count Cagliostro. It is not known for certain whether the count, who is a real historical character, was a real magician, or if he was simply a skilled illusionist. Mark Zakharov himself in his film is more inclined to the fact that Cagliostro was a wonderful magician. He very cleverly fooled the noble gentlemen, taking their money and jewelry, then barely managed to escape from the city. So that the St. Petersburg authorities did not put the count in prison, he had to hide in the Russian outback and practice his "magic" rites there.
Count Cagliostro in the picture of Zakharov was played by Georgian actor Nodar Mgaloblishvili. Also in the frame you can see Alexander Abdulov (“Carnival”), Elena Valyushkina (“Black Lightning”), Semyon Faradu (“Wizards”) and Alexander Zakharov (“Thin thing”).
"Death Number"
If you describe films about magicians and illusionists, the list should also include the thriller Gillian Armstrong's “Death Number”.
This picture is dedicated to the biography of
Harry Houdini, who was a famous American magician. The period shown shortly before his death, during which Harry was most successful. During a tour of Scotland, Houdini meets a charming woman. They have a passionate romance, but, as it turns out later, Mary was sent for money, only to find out from the magician all his secrets. In the final part of the picture, the scene of Houdini's death is shown, which happened by an absurd accident: three students decided to test the magician’s superpowers and inflicted several fatal blows to his stomach.
Houdini's role in Armstrong’s tape was played by Guy Pearce (Los Angeles Secrets). The fatal beauty Mary was entrusted to play Catherine Zeta-Jones ("The Mask of Zorro").
"Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus"
There are various films about magicians and illusionists, but “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus” is the most scandalous of them.
The thing is that the main role in this film began to play the Oscar-winning Heath Ledger. But in the midst of the filming process, the actor died from an overdose of antidepressants. And his role had to be played out by the first handsome men of Hollywood: Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell.
The essence of the tape is that a vagrant circus by the name of Parnassus learned to revive the fantasies of his audience. They go into his Imaginarium and begin to see their most secret desires. Parnassus is not just a magician, he is immortal. However, the doctor must pay for his gift with his own children. If he does not succeed in capturing five souls faster than the devil, then a certain Mr. Nick will take the only daughter of Parnassus, Valentina.
In addition to Heath Ledger, in the picture you can also see Christopher Plummer ("12 Monkeys"), Andrew Garfield ("Social Network") and Verne Troyer ("Men in Black").
"Prestige"
The best films about magicians and illusionists, according to many critics, are Christopher Nolan's film Prestige and Neil Berger's drama Illusionist.
The picture “Prestige” by Nolan was released in 2006 and brought together the first Hollywood celebrities: Christian Bale, Scarlett Johansson,
Hugh Jackman and Michael Kane.
The film is about two magicians - Anger and Borden, who were originally friends and even performed together. But in the course of one of the tricks, Anger's wife dies, and he blames his partner for this. From that moment, the roads of the two magicians parted, and they themselves became zealous opponents. Anger and Borden intrigue against each other, but the further they go in their confrontation, the more confusing and incomprehensible the plot becomes.
Like all Nolan's paintings, Prestige was very well received by critics and spectators. The American Film Academy even exhibited this picture at the Oscars in two categories. At the box office, the film raised nearly $ 110 million with a budget of $ 40 million.
"Illusionist"
Films about magicians and illusionists are not made so often. But 2006 was rich in similar premieres. At the same time as "Prestige" in the cinemas of the world was the drama of Neil Berger "The Illusionist" with Edward Norton in the title role.
"Illusionist" is a story about an unusual man, a magician who was able to fool everyone and everything for the sake of his love for a woman. Eduard Abramowitz was still a boy when he met the Duchess of Sophie. At first the children became friends, then they grew up and were imbued with each other with a lighter feeling. But no one would ever allow a girl from a noble family to make friendship with a beggar. Edward was forced to disappear from his hometown.
Under the new name, Abramowitz returned to Vienna many years later, being already a famous artist-magician. He finds Sophie, who has become the crown prince’s bride and is trying to use her art to expose a noble scoundrel, circle the police around her finger and get another chance to live life with her beloved woman.
The main roles in the film were played by Edward Norton (“Fight Club”) and Jessica Beale (“Prophet”).
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
In 2013, new films about magicians and illusionists were also shown on screens. The 2013 list primarily includes the paintings “The Illusion of Deception” and “The Incredible Bert Wonderstone”.
The Incredible Burt Wonderstone is a Don Scardino comedy about the adventures of two Las Vegas magicians. Burt Wonderstone and Steve Gray confront each other, winning their place in the sun. The main roles were played by the first comedians of Hollywood - Jim Carrey and Steve Carrell. So the viewer will not be bored while watching the picture.
In addition, Steve Buscemi (Mad Dogs), James Gandolfini (The Soprano Clan) and Olivia Wilde (The Lazarus Effect) are involved in the film.
Films about magicians and illusionists - 2014 list: “The Illusion of Deception”
The loud premiere of 2014 was the picture of Louis Leterrier "The Illusion of Deception." Films about magicians and illusionists are fascinating, but “The Illusion of Deception” - especially. The tape was shot in the thriller genre and until the last moment the viewer does not quite understand what is happening on the screen.
Out of nowhere in Las Vegas, four illusionists appear who organize grandiose shows. Only during the concerts of “4 Horsemen” there are real bank robberies and manipulations with real money. Across the country, talented con men are chased by FBI agent Dylan Rhodes. Nobody knows that Rhodes is the leader of the 4 Horsemen and the main instigator of all crimes.
Films about magicians and illusionists - 2015 list: “Focus”
The “Illusion of Deceit" caused the directors a new wave of interest in circus and illusion art. Films about magicians and illusionists were not often released in 2015, but one project is definitely worthy of attention: we are talking about a movie with Will Smith called “Focus”. And again in the center of the plot are scammers. But this time, they use tricks to deceive each other. Who will win this battle - the swindler Nikki or the thief Jess - will be clear at the end of the film.