The Prestige (2006)

Drama, Mystery, Sci-Fi |.

The Prestige is a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and written by Nolan and his brother Jonathan, based on the 1995 novel by Christopher Priest. It follows Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, rival stage magicians in London at the end of the 19th century. Obsessed with creating the best stage illusion, they engage in competitive one-upmanship, with fatal results.

The film stars Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier, Christian Bale as Alfred Borden, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. It also stars Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Andy Serkis, and Rebecca Hall. The film reunites Nolan with actors Bale and Caine from Batman Begins and returning cinematographer Wally Pfister, production designer Nathan Crowley, and editor Lee Smith.

In 1890s London, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden work as shills for a magician, under the mentorship of John Cutter, an engineer who designs stage magic. During a water tank trick, Angier’s wife Julia fails to escape and drowns. Angier, devastated, accuses Borden of using a riskier knot, causing her death. The two become bitter enemies.

Angier and Borden launch their own magic careers. Borden develops a trick he calls the Transported Man, in which he appears to travel instantly between two wardrobes on opposite ends of the stage. Unable to discern Borden’s method, Angier hires a double, Gerald Root, to perform his own version of the trick. The imitation is a greater success, but Angier is dissatisfied, as he ends the trick hidden under the stage while Root basks in the applause.

Director: Christopher Nolan

Writers: Jonathan Nolan (screenplay), Christopher Nolan (screenplay), Christopher Priest (novel)

Stars: Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Samantha Mahurin

Cast:

Hugh Jackman	…	Robert Angier
Christian Bale	…	Alfred Borden
Michael Caine	…	Cutter
Piper Perabo	…	Julia McCullough
Rebecca Hall	…	Sarah
Scarlett Johansson	…	Olivia Wenscombe
Samantha Mahurin	…	Jess
David Bowie	…	Tesla
Andy Serkis	…	Alley
Daniel Davis	…	Judge
Jim Piddock	…	Prosecutor
Christopher Neame	…	Defender
Mark Ryan	…	Captain
Roger Rees	…	Owens
Jamie Harris	…	Sullen Warder
Monty Stuart	…	Stagecoach Driver
Ron Perkins	…	Hotel Manager
Ricky Jay	…	Milton
J. Paul Moore	…	Virgil
Anthony De Marco	…	Boy (as Anthony DeMarco)
Chao Li Chi	…	Chung Ling Soo (as Chao-Li Chi)
Gregory Humphreys	…	Policeman
John B. Crye	…	Voice
William Morgan Sheppard	…	Merrit (as W. Morgan Sheppard)
Sean Howse	…	Man
Julia Sanford	…	Elegant Lady (as Julie Sanford)
Ezra Buzzington	…	Ticket Hawker
James Lancaster	…	Moderator
Olivia Merg	…	Jess (Toddler)
Zoe Merg	…	Jess (Toddler)
Johnny Liska	…	Scalper
Russ Fega	…	Man in Hotel
Kevin Will	…	Man in Hotel
Edward Hibbert	…	Ackerman
Christopher Judges	…	Burly Stagehand
James Otis	…	Blind Stagehand 1
Sam Menning	…	Blind Stagehand 2
Brian Tahash	…	Blind Stagehand 3
Scott Davis	…	Carriage Driver
Jodi Bianca Wise	…	Glamorous Assistant
Nikki Glick	…	Housekeeper
Enn Reitel	…	Workman 1
Clive Kennedy	…	Warder
Robert W. Arbogast	…	Leonard (as Robert Arbogast)
Chris Cleveland	…	Will
Rock Anthony	…	Upscale London Boy (uncredited)
Cathy Beasley	…	Theatre Patron (uncredited)
Basilina Butler	…	Bar Maid (uncredited)
Marty Carroll	…	Guy at Bar (uncredited)
Erin Cipolletti	…	Dancer (uncredited)
Bud Joseph Hebert	…	Theater Patron (uncredited)
Ernest Heinz	…	Rudy (uncredited)
Tim Pilleri	…	Piano Player 1 (uncredited)
Wendy Rosoff	…	Dancer (uncredited)
Gary Sievers	…	Stagehand (uncredited)
Inna Swann	…	Handkerchief Lady (uncredited)
Dawn Upshaw	…	Soprano Singer (uncredited)
Deanna Walsh	…	Woman on Carriage Bus (uncredited)
Jesse Wilde	…	Man in theatre (uncredited)

Sources: imdb & wikipedia