The Illusionist (2006)

Actors: James Babson (actor), Vadam Bat-Orshikh (actor), Elias Zerael Bauer (actor), Reuben-Henry Biggs (actor), Oliver Blaha (actor), Nicholas Blane (actor), Matthew Blood-Smyth (actor), Purevdorj Boldsaikhan (actor), Vitezslav Bouchner (actor), Michael Carter (actor), Brian Caspe (actor), Jan Cibulka (actor), John Early (actor), Duke Faeger (actor), Laurie Athey (actor),

Plot: In late nineteenth century Vienna, renowned illusionist Eisenheim is reunited with the Duchess von Teschen when she is volunteered from the audience to participate in an illusion during one of his performances. Despite having not seen each other in fifteen years when they were teenagers, they almost immediately recognize each other as Eduard Abramovich and Sophie von Teschen, they who had a doomed romance at that time due to their class differences. The Duchess is soon to be wed to the Crown Prince Leopold in what would be for him a marriage solely in pursuit of power: overthrowing his father, the Emperor Leopold, as well as overtaking the Hungarian side of the empire. The Crown Prince is known to use violence against women if it suits his needs or purposes. As such, the Duchess, who realizes that she still loves Eisenheim and he her, can never leave the Crown Prince without it jeopardizing her life. After Eisenheim humiliates the Crown Prince at a private show which results in an incident between the Crown Prince and the Duchess, the battle between Eisenheim and the Crown Prince moves into the public performance realm, which many believe demonstrates Eisenheim's supernatural powers. Much of the work for the Crown Prince in the battle with Eisenheim is conducted by Chief Inspector Uhl, who would become the Chief of Police under the Crown Prince's reign. As such, Uhl may have ulterior motives in turning a blind eye to any unlawful act of the Crown Prince against Eisenheim or the Duchess.

Keywords: 1870s, 1880s, 19th-century, afterlife, angry-mob, apparition, argument, arrest, assault, austrian
Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance, Thriller,
Taglines: Nothing is what it seems

Quotes:

Eisenheim: Everything you have seen here has been an illusion.

Chief Inspector Uhl: Promise me you won't do it again.::Eisenheim: I promise you you'll enjoy this next show.

Crown Prince Leopold: I want you to put and end to it.

Crown Prince Leopold: You're late.::Chief Inspector Uhl: My apologies, your Highness. I was attending to loose ends of the case.::Crown Prince Leopold: Are there still loose ends?::Chief Inspector Uhl: Very few.::Crown Prince Leopold: Did he do it again? [Uhl nods] How does he do it?::Chief Inspector Uhl: I'm afraid I still don't know.::Crown Prince Leopold: Did you ask him?::Chief Inspector Uhl: He's not talking at this point.::Crown Prince Leopold: Well, I'm sure you have methods for that kind of thing. I want you to put an end to it. Surely you have something on him. Something from his past?

Chief Inspector Uhl: In the name of his Imperial Majesty in the city of Vienna, I hereby arrest Edward Abramovich, also known as Eisenheim The Illusionist, on charges of disturbing public order, charlatanism and threats against the empire.

Chief Inspector Uhl: As a boy, I'm told, he had a chance encounter with a travelling magician. One version of the story was that the man himself vanished... along with the tree. People began to think he had some sort of special power... or at least that he was a bit different. And then he met her.

Josef Fischer: Life and death. Space and time. Fate and chance. Theses are the forces of the universe. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a man who has unlocked these mysteries. From the furthest corners of the world where the dark arts still hold sway he returns to us to demonstrate how nature's laws may be bent. I give you Eisenheim.

Eisenheim: I thought we might end this evening with a discussion of the soul. All of the greatest religions speak of the soul's endurance before the end of life. So what then does it mean to die?

Crown Prince Leopold: Well done.::Eisenheim: Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoyed it.::Crown Prince Leopold: Oh, we more than enjoyed it. Stimulated great debate among us, hasn't it? Except of course for your assistant Duchess Von Teschen. You seem to have struck her quite speechless. A feat in itself. Did you hypnotize her?::Eisenheim: In a fashion.::Crown Prince Leopold: I'd like to learn that trick. Rainer here seems to think you have supernatural powers. Do you claim supernatural powers?::Eisenheim: I've never said anything of that kind.::Crown Prince Leopold: Then you won't mind a question or two?::Sophie: Now let's not ruin it.::Crown Prince Leopold: You needn't divulge anything I can't guess.::Eisenheim: As you wish.::Crown Prince Leopold: Your assistants are behind the mirrors somewhere, in robes obviously. Lights in the frame perhaps to illuminate them, or angled mirrors.::Eisenheim: That would be one way to do it.::Crown Prince Leopold: I think I understand it all except the ghost. That was very, very good.::Josef Fischer: Another viewing, perhaps?::Crown Prince Leopold: You must come to the Hofburg next time. We'll make an evening of it.::Eisenheim: That would be my pleasure.::Crown Prince Leopold: So be it. [motions to Sophie] Sophie? [leaves with Sophie, then turns] And we'll gather our best minds next time. You'll really have a challenge then.::Eisenheim: Then I shall prepare something special. Perhaps I'll make you disappear.

Eisenheim: My intention has only been to entertain, nothing more.