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| The Illusionist (Full Screen Edition) | 
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Avg. Customer Rating:  (based on 456 reviews)
Sales Rank: 4329
Category: DVD
Actors: Edward Norton, Paul Giamatti, Jessica Biel, Rufus Sewell, Eddie Marsan
Director: Neil Burger
Publisher: 20th Century Fox
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Brand: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENT
Label: 20th Century Fox
Format: Color, Dolby, Dts Surround Sound, Dubbed, Full Screen, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled), English (Dubbed)
Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Media: DVD
Running Time: 109 minutes
Number Of Items: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.3
Dimensions (in): 7.4 x 5.4 x 0.7
MPN: 2240841
UPC: 024543408413
EAN: 0024543408413
ASIN: B000K7VHPU
Release Date: January 9, 2007
Theatrical Release Date: September 1, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
First screened in Europe and scheduled for limited release in the U.S., The Illusionist offers welcome proof that "arthouse" quality needn't be limited to the arthouses. Set in turn-of-the-century Vienna, this stately, elegant period film benefited from a crossover release in mainstream cinemas, and showed considerable box-office staying power--granted, teenage mallrats and lusty males may have been drawn to the allure of Seventh Heaven alumna Jessica Biel, who rises to the occasion with a fine performance. But there's equal appeal in the casting of Edward Norton and Paul Giamatti, who bring their formidable talents to bear on the intriguing tale of a celebrated magician named Eisenheim (Norton) whose stage performance offends the Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), a vindictive lout who aims to marry Duchess Sophie (Biel), Eisenheim's childhood friend and now, 15 years later, his would-be lover. This romantic rivalry and Eisenheim's increasingly enigmatic craft of illusion are investigated by Chief Inspector Uhl (Giamatti), who's under Leopold's command and is therefore not to be trusted as Eisenheim and Sophie draw closer to their inevitable reunion. Cleverly adapted by director Neil Burger from Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," and boasting exquisite production values and a fine score by Philip Glass, The Illusionist is the kind of class act that fully deserved its unusually wide and appreciative audience. -- Jeff Shannon Beyond The Illusionist 
"Eisenheim the Illusionist" and Other Stories | 
Paul Giamatti in a More Loveable Role | 
Magic Kits & Accessories | Stills from The Illusionist
Product Description
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 fianc e (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).Episodes-Bonus Features:Making of The IllusionistJessica Biel on The IllusionistTheatrical TrailerSystem Requirements:Running Time: 110 minsFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: DRAMA Rating: PG - 13 UPC: 024543408413 Manufacturer No: 2240841
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| Customer Reviews: Read 451 more reviews...
 Excellent atmospheric historical romance October 12, 2008
Eward Norton gives a wonderfully understated performance in this historical romance set in Vienna at the turn of the century. He plays a marvelous magician who has fallen in love with a daughter of the aristocracy intended for marriage to the nasty megalomaniac Crown Prince who regards her as a ripe fruit worth picking and then throwing away. How will he win her? By magic obviously.
Norton is backed up by a superb performance by Paul Giamatti as a cynical police chief trying to advance his career without entirely giving up his morals. Jessica Biel as the female lead is innocent and lovely.
In some ways, this movie is a harmless piece of wish-fulfillment and fantasy rather than an actual exploration of historical themes. But the acting is so good, the photography (the movie was all filmed in the Czech Republic) so lovely, and the music by Philip Glass so haunting that it somehow all works.
At the heart of the movie is a mystery never explained: how does the illusionist work his magic? His feats move beyond conventional illusion into the realm of the supernatural. Yet we accept it because the movie has woven its web so well.
First-class entertainment!
A top notch film October 5, 2008
The marvelous film The Illusionist was released in 2006 to reasonable success at the box office. But its art house feel and understated (and excellent)acting apparently appealed to only so many people. It did not make great play with the media and was not splashed across the covers of magazines, with the possible exception of celebrity gossip circles for the youthful Jessica Biel. Even an ardent viewer of films such as myself missed this one at the theater.
So, seeing this film two years later on DVD, with little or no fanfare, only added to my pleasure at finding this gem. Director and screen writer Neil Burger effortlessly presents a cat and mouse detective mystery against the backdrop of turn of the century Vienna. Edward Norton, who plays Eisenheim the Illusionist, and Paul Giamatti, who plays Inspector Uhl, both aptly demonstrate their exceptional acting skill and range.
A must see.
The Illusionist September 24, 2008
Movie condition was great, received it in a timely manner. Love the movie and have watched a few times already.
An incredible movie! September 22, 2008
Really well-made movie. Great script. Excellent actors.
Inspiring magic for magicians everywhere to watch.
 Though critically flawed, The Illusionist is still a captivating film September 12, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
For the first half of The Illusionist I sat spellbound, swept up in a beautifully realized world of magic and intrigue. The film's style calls to mind the Albumen prints of the 19th century, with their soft edges and muted sepia tones. It lends the film, which is set in the waning years of the Austro-Hungarian empire, a sense of time and place as well as an atmosphere of mystery. The scenery and costumes certainly convey period authenticity. Old Vienna, with its cobblestone streets and narrow alleyways, grand theaters and resplendent mansions, really comes alive.
Even the picturesque quality of the film could not distract me from the glaring flaws in the story. The Illusionist turns on one pivotal event and resolves with a 'twist ending' that turns this pivotal event on its head. This is not a bad thing in and of itself, but the execution, as well as the twist itself, is sub par.
Strangely enough, the ending made me despise the character(s) I should have been rooting for, and pity the character(s) who had been served up as villains.
The acting, for the most part, is excellent. Norton and Giamatti (who plays an ambitious and principled police detective) deliver good performances. Rufus Sewell steals scenes as the arrogant and conflicted Crown Prince Leopold. Biel's performance doesn't disappoint either, although she is badly miscast as a down-to-earth princess as well as Norton's love interest. She's nice to look at, especially in the bosom enhancing dresses they have her wear, and that was probably intended to be her primary function anyway.
Despite its flaws, The Illusionist is a captivating film, at least the first time around. More critical viewers will have no trouble seeing through the pretty packaging on subsequent viewings, so the film will depreciate rapidly. Personally, I think "The Prestige" (which contended against The Illusionist at the box office for "Magic Dollars" ) is a much more solid work, with more staying power.
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