The Best 10 Movies About Magic of All Time

So let's begin, the very best 10 movies about 'magic' of 'all time'. This is a tall order and can obviously become a listing that'll be challenged by many people.

Things I have attempted to complete is collate a listing of flicks that movies that have magical styles or very apparent magical references inside them. Obviously the rash of Harry Potter films, the superb The almighty from the Rings trilogy as well as The Exorcist might be incorporated. However, from the need to expand their email list of magician inspired or like magic designed movies I've left these out to be 'too obvious'.

For reasons of brevity I've also not incorporated fully animated movies within this list, so the kind of Fantasia, Sword within the Stone as well as The Illusionist (Sylvian Chomet's 2010 film) aren't considered.

I have also overlooked tv series, like the Magician (Bill Bixby trained by Mark Wilson), Jonathan Creek, the cool 1970's Tv show Ace of Magical wands in addition to specific Colombo, Midsummer Killings, One Feet within the Grave episodes which were based on miracle and masters of magic.

Which means this raises a fast round-from the best from the magician-in-the-movies films I know of. Beginning with individuals just outdoors the very best Ten - not due to any insufficient quality, just since they're just a little peripheral towards the primary list.

Passport to Pimlico (1949) directed by Henry Cornelius and including great performances from Stanley Holloway and Margaret Rutherford. This excellent Ealing comedy consists of a string around the tube train where magician during the day The Truly Amazing Masoni, drops his situation permitting his doves to flee contributing to the surreal character from the comic moment.

Dead of Evening (1945) directed by Alberto Cavancanti is a good Ealing portmanteau horror movie which contained a number of tales in regards to a dream relayed through a guest coming at remote farmhouse. The film is stated to possess affected cosmologists Hoyle, Gold and Bondi to build up the 'steady condition theory'. These were inspired through the circular character from the films narrative. Nevertheless the movie consists of a tale in regards to a ventriloquist along with a under charming dummy. Ventriloquism relates to the magical arts, hence its inclusion here. The storyline may be the forerunner of 1 that's really within the list, Miracle, starring Anthony Hopkins.

Thirty Nine Steps (1939) directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The initial and possibly finest form of this film the climax which is happens as with a theatre in which a 'memory man' is carrying out. The Memory Act can be viewed as like a subset from the magical art of Mentalism. The truly amazing magician Harry Lorraine is renowned not just for his 'magic' act but in addition for his contribution towards the training and growth and development of a persons memory.

The Raven (1963) directed by Roger Corman sees the truly amazing Vincent Cost, Peter Lorre and Boris Karloff as medieval masters of magic involved an enchanting duel. This fun, camping and colourful movie loosely in line with the Edgar Allen Poe poem The Raven, isn't the finest illustration of the Corman-Cost collection, but is excellent fun.

Evening from the Demon (1957) Jaques Tourneur. This excellent movie is definitely an adaptation of M R James' story "Casting the Runes". Starring Dana Andrews like a sceptical psychiatrist 'cursed' through the Faustian searching magician and 'cult' leader Julian Karswell (Nial MacGinnis). In a single sequence Karswell outfitted as Dr Bobo works miracle in a children's party. The conversation which in turn develops between your psychiatrist and also the magician holds there a number of performance frames and concepts for budding bizarrists available!. Tourneur apparently never wanted the crowd to 'see' the demon. I many different ways If only he'd had his way. The film could be even creepier and more frightening when the terror remained towards the imagination - again bizarre masters of magic be aware!

The Magician (1958) directed by Ingmar Bergman. The only real reason why film is outdoors the very best ten is due to the potential of being regarded as being 'pretentious' if it's placed where It goes - within the 5 best a minimum of! Max von Sydow plays a travelling magician and 'magnetic-healer' (harkening to the times of Mesmer) swept up inside a tale about prejudice, honesty, the category system and..... well the entire factor is multilayered. Sydow is brilliant, he rarely talks, and Bergman's pictures are wonderful. The film continues to be known as a 'thinking guys horror movie/. It's creepy surreal and superbly behaved and directed.

The Truly Amazing Buck Howard (2008) directed by Sean McGinly is made around John Malkovich's character who's consequently based on the mentalist Kreskin.

Next (2007) directed by Lee Tamahori sees Nicholas Cage like a guy who are able to visit a couple of minutes in to the future and hide his gift by being employed as a lounge magician. Cage is viewed as another type of 'magician' within the fantasy movie The Sorcerers Apprentice (2010 directed by Jon Turtletaub) making direct references towards the Disney Sorcerers Apprentice in Fantasia.

Miracle Guy (2010) directed by Roscoe Lever stars Billy Zane who plays Darius, the Miracle Guy from the title. Charged like a thriller, this movie has not received the very best of reviews. As I have not seen it yet I can not comment - but perhaps a future overview of their list could see it incorporated.

So to the Top

10. Excelsior Prince of Masters of magic 1901 directed by Georges Melies. This pioneer of film making would be a magician before turning his hands to cine-miracle. He created many short films which this is just one, quite a few which featured movie versions of stage methods that masters of magic would like to have the ability to really do. He was among the first filmmakers to feature stop frame, time lapse and multiple exposures. Also, he hands colored most of the black and whitened films he shot. A real innovator.

9. The Harsh Game 1919 directed by Irvin Wilat. Not the finest of flicks to look at, but from the magician's perspective essential. It featured Harry Houdini within the title role featuring his achievements of escapology. Houdini, not just a great magician but an excellent entrepreneur accepted early cinema but to become quite honest he earned little lasting contribution to motion picture art. Somewhat, possibly, Melies earlier 'trick photography' lessened a few of the dramatic impact Houdini's live performances may have had.

8. The almighty of Illusions (1995) directed by Clive Barker and according to his novel of the identical title. This film is notable because of its magical references. Besides the 'evil' lead character Nix have supernatural forces, but his disciples ask them to. Certainly one of his disciples, Swann, after Nix's early demise (just before his later resurrection) uses his magical forces to become popular illusionist. The staged miracle sequences are very well done, there's a cameo appearance through the great Billy McCombe and also the Miracle Castle is symbolized like a host to secrets. The fundamental indisputable fact that 'magic is really a harmful reality' is a superb theme for that Bizarre Masters of magic available.

7. Cast a Deadly Spell (1991) directed by Martin Cambell, sees Detective, Harry Philip Lovecraft (performed by Fred Ward) residing in a 1940's La where miracle is typical place. He's employed with a wealthy guy to locate a lost book - yeap, you've first got it... The Necronomicon! It's actually a Bogart-esque film-noire having a magical flavour, obviously obviously then you will find masters of magic. It's witty, fun and filled with Lovecraftian references. Regrettably during the time of writing it, unlike its less sharp follow up (Witch Search) isn't available to buy on DVD.

Witch Search (1994) directed Paul Schrader. A follow up to Cast a Deadly Spell by which detective, H. Phillip Lovecraft performed by Dennis Hopper combats the evils and corruption of the miracle carrying senator. Like a follow up not shoddy, but possibly less than as fun because the first movie.

6. The Truly Amazing Kandinski (1995) directed by Terry Windsor. This 'made for TV' movie should be incorporated within this list, not just because of its charm and humour, however for its breathing difficulties. Richard Harris (whose jobs are admirable) plays a upon the market escapologist residing in a nursing home. The storyline involves Kandiski's need to 'chase yet another secret' and do one 'final show'. The escape featured is Houdini's Water Torture cell, that is a proof of the legendary character of that certain illusion.

5. Nightmare Alley (1947) directed by Edmund Goulding. A remarkable movie and possibly among the in history finest good examples of film noire. Tyrone Energy plays a 'psychic disadvantage man' Stanton Carlyle whose trail of deceit and self deceit originate from rags to riches to rags. Obviously the masters of magic available will immediately visit a connect to a artist who accustomed to venture out underneath the title Rinaldo, but was also known appropriately and today to mentalists' worldwide as Stanton Carlisle. (1928 - 1990). Stanton was adamant, despite many good natured challenges, that which was his real title and wasn't affected through the Goulding film.

4. House of Games (1978) directed by David Mamet. OK not just a miracle film, but includes a performance of 1 of my in history miracle heroes, Ough Jay. Ough is among several disadvantage-males within this Hitchcockesque thriller. Mamet, of course does a fantastic job in taking mood and also the movie explores human motivations and behaviors. Ough Jay is obviously no stranger towards the giant screen, with roles within the Bond Movie, Tomorrow Never Dies, Magnolia, Buck Howard, The Prestige and much more. This, In my opinion however was his first venture to the 'big screen'

3. Houdini (1953) directed by George Marshall with Tony Curtis in as Houdini. This movie comes with a great deal to answer for for the reason that it produces a few of the more durable misconceptions concerning the existence from the truly 'mythic' Houdini. His dying on stage consequently of carrying out the 'water torture cell' isn't fact, however the movie certainly shows it. The 'brush with death' inside a frozen river the very first performance from the 'straight jacket' in a Masters of magic Society dinner almost surely never happened - however the romance and innocence from the moment saves it. The magical consultant about this movie was Dunninger.

I guess it's worth mentioning in passing that in 1998 there is a TV movie about Houdini (directed by Pen Denshem) as well as an earlier attempt for a biopic remake in 1976 with Paul Michael Glaser within the title role (directed for television by Melvile Shavelson). The film Dying Repel Functions (2007) directed by Gillian Remedy concentrates on Houdini's recorded curiosity about mediums and clairvoyants and that he is usually the vehicle by which another story could be told.

2. Miracle (1978) directed by Richard Attenborough and looking Anthony Hopkins. Within the film Hopkins' character begins out like a magician, but sees success like a ventriloquist. The film charts the autumn into madness because the relationship Hopkins has together with his dummy 'Fats'. It is a classic movie with a few of the creepier overtones being softened by, what some tell you they are, reduced sequences of sentimentality.

1. The Illusionist (2006) directed by Neil Hamburger and looking Erectile dysfunction Norton. The interest rate and the design of this film is wonderful. It's a love story with a few great performances from the superb cast. The magical advice originated from Ough Jay and Michael Webber. Norton as Eisenhiem is the perfect stage magician. The cinematography is brilliant, the plot nicely involved with, possibly a couple of surprises.

1. The Prestige (2006) directed by Christopher Nolan. Although The Illusionist is delicious and interesting and also at its core 'hopeful' and 'romantic', The Prestige is more dark and handles revenge, envy and competition. Great performances from Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale because the feuding masters of magic each having a 'secret' along with a narrative that's non-linear result in the film engaging and worth the no work you'll need to maintain the twisted web of intrigue. The 'prestige', the finale from the film, consists of facts that could surprise. Intelligent scripting brings the emotional tension to existence and also the wealthy magical references (Chung Ling Soo, The Bullet Catch, Water Torture) get this to film essential for masters of magic. Ough Jay seems being an established stage artist and Michael Caine is excellent because the illusion builder - although I'd never request him to construct us a disappearing cage!

I truly can't separate both of these films when it comes to quality of acting, direction and story so that they share to begin with billing using the less serious....

Masters of magic (2007) really warrants a Gold Star within this list. Directed by Andrew O Connor with script written together with David Britland, Andy Nyman and Anthony Owen yet others this can be a magical tour p pressure. Choosing for any comic consider the realm of the conjuror, Masters of magic, sees Mitchell and Webb rattle through some good one-inserts pay homage with a key masters of magic and also have a real knock at a few of the oddness that's part from the miracle scene. The truly amazing Pat Page bakes an appearance, and the majority of the miracle 'stalls' in the miracle convention hosting your competition in the center from the films plot were supplied by well-known miracle sellers.