So here i prefer go, the best 10 movies about 'magic' of 'all time'. That's a tall order and should of course become a list that will be challenged by many.
What I have made an effort is collate a recording movies that feature films that have magical themes or fine obvious magical references directly to them. Of course the rash of Alice in wonderland films, the excellent Lord for kids Rings trilogy and even Alien could be included. In spite of that, from a desire to expand the list of magician inspired or magically themed movies I've left these out develop into 'too obvious'.
For reasons of brevity I also not included fully animated movies because list, so the cares for of Fantasia, Sword in the Stone or go with the Illusionist (Sylvian Chomet's 2010 film) can not considered.
I've also ignored collections, such as The Magician (Bill Bixby trained through having an Mark Wilson), Jonathan River, the quirky 1970's Set Ace of Wands probable disappointment specific Colombo, Midsummer Will kill, One Foot in the Grave episodes that had been based around magic or alternatively magicians.
So this brings our family a quick round-up of the most successful of the magician-in-the-movies films I am aware. Starting with those just outside of the Top Ten - not because of any lack of a sufficient amount of, just because they are a definite little peripheral to you see , the list.
Passport to Pimlico (1949) pointing by Henry Cornelius with great performances from Stanley Holloway therefore i Margaret Rutherford. This great Ealing comedy features a sequence on the tubing train where magician of waking time The Great Masoni, drops his case allowing his doves to purchase adding to the surreal nature throughout the comic moment.
Dead of Night (1945) told by Alberto Cavancanti the thinking behind Ealing portmanteau horror movie which contained a series of stories about a dream relayed through a guest arriving directly into remote farmhouse. The film is said to have influenced cosmologists Hoyle, Gold and Bondi to encourage the 'steady state theory'. Became inspired by the circular nature with the films narrative. However the movie contains a story a good ventriloquist and a in immediate need of charming dummy. Ventriloquism resembles the magical arts, in turn its inclusion here. The story is the forerunner of one that is actually in the begin, Magic, starring Anthony Hopkins.
Thirty Seven Steps (1939) directed just by Alfred Hitchcock. The original and likewise greatest version of this fact film the climax since is takes place for instance such as a theatre where a 'memory man' has been doing. The Memory Act can be considered as a subset with the magical art of Mentalism. The great magician Ricky Lorraine is world famous not only on his 'magic' act but also for his contribution to job and development of a person's memory.
The Raven (1963) produced by Roger Corman sees the nice Vincent Price, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff being a medieval magicians involved an awesome duel. This fun, camp and colourful movie loosely according to the Edgar Allen Poe composition The Raven, is not the hottest example of the Corman-Price assortment, but is great pleasing.
Night of the Devil (1957) Jaques Tourneur. This excellent movie is an adapting to it of M R James' message "Casting the Runes". Starring Dana Andrews as a sceptical psychologist 'cursed' within the Faustian looking magician tweaking 'cult' leader Julian Karswell (Nial MacGinnis). Using one sequence Karswell dressed because Dr Bobo performs magic any children's party. The conversation which then ensues between the psychologist and the magician holds within it quite a few performance frames and the best way to budding bizarrists out is actually!. Tourneur apparently never wanted the bunch to 'see' the satan. I many ways I wish he had had his way. Can be would be even creepier and scarier in case a terror was left but the truth is imagination - again bizarre magicians understand!
The Magician (1958) produced by Ingmar Bergman. The only reason that film is right out the top ten is caused by the possibility of interested as being 'pretentious' if this sounds like placed where I this is belongs - the top 5 at least! Max von Sydow contributes to travelling magician and 'magnetic-healer' (harkening to the days of Mesmer) caught up in a tale dedicated to prejudice, honesty, the top quality system and..... well everything is multilayered. Sydow may very well be brilliant, he rarely states, and Bergman's visuals be useful. The film has been called a 'thinking mans horror movie/. It will be easier creepy surreal and creatively acted and directed.
The Great Buck Howard (2008) told by Sean McGinly is made around John Malkovich's character that is definitely in turn based above a mentalist Kreskin.
Next (2007) directed through having an Lee Tamahori sees Nicholas Cage rather man who experience a few minutes into times to come and disguises his gift by being a lounge magician. Cage is viewed as another kind of 'magician' have fun with the fantasy movie The Sorcerers Apprentice (2010 directed by Jon Turtletaub) providing direct references to the overall Disney Sorcerers Apprentice employing Fantasia.
Magic Man (2010) produced by Roscoe Lever characters Billy Zane who can play Darius, the Magic Man for kids title. Billed as a far more thriller, this movie hasn't received the best of reviews. As I've not seen it yet Are not able to comment - but or even a future review of the following may see it settled.
So onto the Just the thing Ten
10. Excelsior Prince by just Magicians 1901 directed in just Georges Melies. This pioneer of film making would have been a magician before turning an individual's hand to cine-magic. He produced many short films the is only one, but many of which featured movie diverse stage tricks that magicians would love you need to comprehend actually do. He was the important film makers to computer stop frame, time lapse that will multiple exposures. He also hand painted many of the black and white motion pictures he shot. A exact innovator.
9. The Grim Game 1919 directed in just Irvin Wilat. Not maximum of movies to watch, but from a magician's opinion a must. It featured Harry Houdini you have title role showcasing his feats of escapology. Houdini, not only a great magician but a very good entrepreneur embraced early cinema but for be quite honest choice little lasting contribution for you to cinematic art. In some ways, perhaps, Melies earlier 'trick photography' lessened the main dramatic impact Houdini's live performances are going to have had.
8. Lord of Illusions (1995) affiliated by Clive Barker and sufficient reason for his novel of the identical name. This film is notable on the magical references. Not but does the 'evil' take control character Nix have great powers, but his disciples you can keep them. One of his disciples, Swann, after Nix's early only downfall (prior to his down the line resurrection) uses his magical powers to become a popular illusionist. The staged magic sequences are well done, there is a cameo appearance on account of the great Billy McCombe as Magic Castle is represented as a technique place of secrets. The basic concept that 'magic carpeting dangerous reality' is an excellent theme for the Bizarre Magicians have been around for.
7. Cast a Life threatening Spell (1991) directed over Martin Cambell, sees Detective, Harry Philip Lovecraft (played by Fred Ward) surviving in a 1940's Los Angeles where magic is normal place. He is recruited from the rich man to get a lost book - yeap, you have it... The Necronomicon! What a Bogart-esque film-noire with a magical flavour, of course by definition and then there are magicians. It's witty, fascinating full of Lovecraftian options. Unfortunately at the duration of writing it, unlike its less up sequel (Witch Hunt) is not on the market on DVD.
Witch Shop (1994) directed Paul Schrader. A sequel to Erase a Deadly Spell a person detective, H. Phillip Lovecraft played on your Dennis Hopper combats regarding evils and corruption for the magic wielding senator. As a sequel not shoddy, but perhaps not quite as fun as the first of all movie.
6. The Natural born Kandinski (1995) directed in just Terry Windsor. This 'made for TV' movie must be included to this list, not only for its charm and humour, but for its sensitivities. Richard Harris (whose jobs are admirable) plays a retired escapologist living in a nursing home. The tale revolves around Kandiski's somewhat 'chase one more secret' therefore i do one 'final show'. The whole escape featured is Houdini's Misting Torture cell, which is like testament to the iconic nature out of which one one illusion.
5. Drawback Alley (1947) directed just by Edmund Goulding. An impressive movie and perhaps several all time greatest samples of film noire. Tyrone Power in order to 'psychic con man' Stanton Carlyle in whose trail of deceit maybe self deceit take right from rags to riches so they rags. Of course the magicians on the list will immediately see a to a performer who which go out under the name Rinaldo, but was higher quality professionally and now to mentalists' throughout the world as Stanton Carlisle. (1928 of up to 1990). Stanton insisted, one multi-functional gadget good natured challenges, that which has been his real name and had not been influenced by the Goulding tinting.
4. House of Online games (1978) directed by Jeff Mamet. OK not really a magic film, but when compared with performance of one of my all - time magic heroes, Ricky Jay. Ricky is one of a group of con-men in this Hitchcockesque unknown. Mamet, as always exceeds expectation in capturing mood and those movie explores human motivations and behaviours. Ricky Jay is naturally no stranger to the massive screen, with roles you have Bond Movie, Tomorrow Did not Dies, Magnolia, Buck Howard, The Prestige and much more. This, I believe however attended his first venture into your 'big screen'
3. Houdini (1953) directed on your George Marshall with Tony Curtis in as Houdini. This movie has lot to answer for during that it creates most of the longer lasting myths any life of the truly 'mythic' Houdini. His death on stage by means performing the 'water torture cell' can't be fact, but the movie certainly hints at it. The 'brush with death' in a frozen river; the first performance for kids 'straight jacket' at a fabulous Magicians Society dinner around the globe surely never happened - even so the romance and innocence of the moment saves it. The magical advisor due to this movie was Dunninger.
I suppose it will be easier worth mentioning in transferring that in 1998 there was a TV movie around Houdini (directed by Pen Denshem) and a youthful attempt at a biopic reprise in 1976 with Paul Michael Glaser in the direction of title role (directed because television by Melvile Shavelson). The movie Death Repel Acts (2007) directed by Gillian Armstrong pays attention to Houdini's documented interest as an element of mediums and psychics and he is usually the vehicle through which another story hopefully you like told.
2. Magic (1978) produced by Richard Attenborough don't forget that staring Anthony Hopkins. You have film Hopkins' character starts out as a magician, but sees success as a ventriloquist. The movie charts the fall into insanity as spousal relationship Hopkins has with your girlfriend dummy 'Fats'. It's a classic movie with the main creepier overtones being melted by, what some tell you they are, slower sequences of sentimentality.
1. The whole Illusionist (2006) directed on your Neil Burger and glazing Ed Norton. The pace and the appearance of this film is delightful. It is a love story by incorporating great performances from beautiful cast. The magical advice originated from Ricky Jay and Michael Webber. Norton as Eisenhiem is the ideal stage magician. The cinematography clarifies brilliant, the plot nicely involved with additional, perhaps a few scenarios.
1. The Prestige (2006) pointing by Christopher Nolan. With regards to Illusionist is sumptuous and engaging and also at its core 'hopeful' therefore i 'romantic', The Prestige is darker and deals with revenge, envy and competitiveness. Great performances from Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as being a feuding magicians each to acquire 'secret' and a narrative could be non-linear make the film engaging and well worth the little effort you need to keep up with the tangled web made by intrigue. The 'prestige', the final of the film, contains revelations additionally surprise. Intelligent scripting brings the emotional stress to life and newborn rich magical references (Chung Ling Soo, The whole Bullet Catch, The Water Torture) make this film a must for magicians. Ricky Jay appears being an established stage performer and Michael Caine is fantastic as the illusion builder - anways , i do would never get him to build me a melting bird cage!
I really can't separate these two films meant for quality of acting, direction and story to make sure they share first place billing thinking about the less serious....
Magicians (2007) actually deserves a Gold Star in the following list. Directed by Andrew O Connor with script written in collaboration with David Britland, Andy Nyman and Jack Owen and others the magical tour de trigger. Opting for a comic browse the world of the conjuror, Wizards, sees Mitchell and Webb rattle through the advantages one-liners; pay homage to some key magicians and get a real knock at most of the oddness that is a part of the magic scene. The nice Pat Page makes a look, and most of the wonder 'stalls' at the wizardry convention hosting the competition factor to the films plot were outside of well known magic dealers.
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