| | | From the Producers of Crash and Sideways.
Features: DVD, Widescreen, English, Spanish, Subtitled
Unlock the mysteries of the year's most spellbinding film from the producers of Crash and Sideways! Oscar nominees Paul Giamatti and Edward Norton lead an all-star cast in this "stunning" film (USA Today) that conjures an exhilarating blend of suspense, romance and mind-bending twists. The acclaimed illusionist Eisenheim (Norton) has not only captured the imaginations of all of Vienna, but also the interest of the ambitious Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell). But when Leopold's new fiance (Jessica Biel) rekindles a childhood fascination with Eisenheim, the Prince's interest evolves into obsession...and suddenly the city's Chief Inspector (Giamatti) finds himself investigating a shocking crime. But even as the Inspector engages him in a dramatic challenge of wills, Eisenheim prepares for his most impressive illusion yet in this "mesmerizing" (Entertainment Weekly) and "beautifully acted" (Good Morning America) film that "teases you until the very end!" (The New York Times).
"Beautifully acted and handsomely mounted...intelligent and intriguing..." Bill Gallo, The Village Voice
"A lush piece of romanticism." Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
"...a true work of art...positively magical..." Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Editor's Note
In 1900 Vienna, a magician named Eisenheim the Illusionist is mystifying audiences with a remarkable magic act that is seemingly too good to believe. Chief Inspector Uhl, who is in the pocket of Crown Prince Leopold--and considers himself somewhat of an amateur conjurer--becomes obsessed with Eisenheim; Uhl is not only desperate to find out the secrets behind Eisenheim's tricks but also worried that the master magician might pose a threat to the crown prince's nefarious plans. In addition, Eisenheim is quickly growing close to Duchess Sophie von Teschen, his childhood love, who is engaged to Leopold. As Eisenheim's act becomes even more amazing--including apparently raising the spirits of the dead--he enrages the crown prince even further, leading to deception and murder. Edward Norton (FIGHT CLUB), who studied magic with Ricky Jay (THE SPANISH PRISONER) in preparing for the role, is terrific as Eisenheim, an enigmatic showman hiding a dark side. The excellent supporting cast features fine performances by Rufus Sewell (A KNIGHT'S TALE) as the evil, conniving Leopold; Jessica Biel (7TH HEAVEN) as the beautiful Sophie; and Paul Giamatti (SIDEWAYS) as the perceptive but bumbling Uhl. Written and directed by Neil Burger (INTERVIEW WITH THE ASSASSIN), THE ILLUSIONIST, which is based on a short story by Pulitzer Prizewinner Steven Millhauser, is a complex tale filled with mystery and awe. The compelling score was composed by minimalist musician Philip Glass and conducted by Michael Reisman.
| Features | Audio: English Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound | | Featurettes: The Making Of The Illusionist & Jessica Biel On The Illusionist | | Interactive Menus | | Original Theatrical Trailer | | Scene Selection | | Subtitles: English, Spanish |
| Entertainment Reviews
 | The Illusionist - DVD By: Chris Barsanti - filmcritic.com DVD Reviews Published on: 12/29/2006 5:45 PM | |
There's something in Paul Giamatti that was just made for the 19th century. With those slightly bulbous but penetrating eyes and stolid weariness, one can imagine him looking out of an old daguerreotype with hat in hand, an emblem of a less superficial age. So it's nice to see Giamatti (so often made to play the whiny comic relief) cast in the otherwise dismissible film The Illusionist as a gruff policeman in fin de siècle Vienna, dropping his voice into a lower register than usual and assuming an impressive stature; honorable but shaded with a tiny bit of incipient corruption. If only everything else in the film worked this well....read the full review |
| The Illusionist - DVD By: Brian Holcomb - Cinema Blend DVD Reviews Published on: 1/18/2007 11:18 PM | | This is a very strange film to categorize. Is it a Historical drama' A mystery-thriller' A romance' A tale of political intrigue' A ghost story' The answer is "Yes" to all of the above and yet none of those elements really sit comfortably with each other. The romance is hardly romantic and the mystery often far from mysterious. Yet, somehow the film itself creates an air of romance and mystery outside the narrative....read the full review |
| Technical Info
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Release Information
| | Studio: Foxvideo |
| Release Date: 1/13/2009 |
| Running Time: 110 minutes |
| Original Release Date: 2006 | | Catalog ID: 2240237 | | UPC: 00024543402374 | | Number of Discs: 1 |
Audio & Video
| | Original Language: English | | Available Audio Tracks: English | | Available Subtitles: English, Spanish | | Video: Color |
Aspect Ratio | | Widescreen 1.78:1 |
| Cast & Crew
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| | Professional Reviews | Rolling Stone
3 stars out of 5 -- "Edward Norton is at his best here, chalking up another boundary-stretching performance..." 08/24/2006 p.108Entertainment Weekly
"[R]igorously styled?.Every one of Norton's postures feels chosen. Yet the interesting actor has chosen so thoughtfully that we're riveted." -- Grade: B 08/18/2006 p.113-114 New York Times
"Entertaining....A pungent period folk tale that teases until the very end." 08/15/2006 p.E8 Uncut
4 stars out of 5 -- "[W]onderfully staged, with Norton on fine form as the weirdly charismatic Eisenheim and Giamatti as the perfect foil." 03/01/2007 p.118 Total Film
3 stars out of 5 -- "Edward Norton brings pensive intensity to the role..." 04/01/2007 p.39 Ultimate DVD
3 stars out of 5 -- "[B]eautifully shot, engrossing and well-acted....It's a solid, enjoyable film..." 03/01/2007 p.116 Sight and Sound
"[W]hat THE ILLUSIONIST does well is create a compelling atmosphere, abetted by Dick Pope's nicely judged cinematography..." 04/01/2007 p.68 Uncut
4 stars out of 5 -- "[With] astounding stunts and seductive cinematography....Norton is so hypnotic he could steal your wallet." 08/01/2007 p.137 ReelViews 8 of 10
The Illusionist is the kind of film that could too easily get lost in the summertime crowd, which is a shame because it's a lot a fun - an infectious mix of romance, mystery, and magic. Filmmaker Neil Burger (Interview with an Assassin), adapting a short story by Steven Millhauser, has used solid acting, capable storytelling, and deft sleight-of-hand directing to provide a motion picture that is more entertaining than one might suspect from the title. The movie celebrates magic in its many forms while testifying to the enduring power of love...Burger does an excellent job of keeping the audience guessing - is Eisenheim a master trickster or does he control supernatural forces? We don't find out the answer until the closing moments, but it's enjoyable to guess along the way. - James Berardinelli
Variety 9 of 10
A bizarre story of intrigue, magic and murder in turn-of-the-century Vienna casts a considerable spell in "The Illusionist." Impeccably crafted second feature from writer-director Neil Burger (2002's "Interview With the Assassin") will be tricky to position commercially, since it will strike some arthouse types as pulpy and conventional, and may prove too aristocratically rarefied for the general modern public...Production benefits greatly from the glorious Prague locations that stand in for Vienna, as cinematographer Dick Pope captures them, along with Ondrej Nekvasil's production designs and Ngila Dickson's costumes, with subdued richness. - Todd McCarthy
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