Interview With Magician Ed Sumner About His Top 5 Magic Themed Movies

MOVIE MAGIC:
5 FILMS WITH MAGICIAN ED SUMNER

Now You See Him: Magician Ed Sumner

Mesmerizing large audiences since the mid-Victorian period, the world of stage magicians has always been an interesting, intriguing and mysterious one for those of us on the outside looking in. While the theme has been a reoccurring one in cinema from its inception in the late 19th century, over the last decade the genre has spiked in attracting big budget attention. Discussing his top five favourites, we ask popular magician Ed Sumner of MagiciansBlog.com fame what it is about these recent smoke and mirrors movies that makes them so enjoyable, and how the magic in them meets up to the standards of a professional magician.

The Illusionist (2006)
Dir. Neil Burger

Set in Vienna at the end of the 19th century, this is a tale of Eisenheim (Edward Norton), a magician who wins over the affections of a noble woman he is forbidden from developing a relationship with. Hampered by Crown Prince Leopold (Rufus Sewell), Eisenheim must keep his wits about him in order to survive the wrath of the ruling class tyrant. 'No list on magic films would be complete without these top two (along with the next one, found below), released around the same time in 2006,' says Sumner, 'and The Illusionist is my favourite of the two'.

Impressed by the magic in the film, there is one scene which grabbed Sumner's attention above all else. 'It has some great magic in it,' he says, highlighting 'an early scene where an orange falls at a reduced speed. This effect, along with many others in the film, was done for real, without any CGI. Magic is amazing, right?'

While for the most part Sumner finds the movie 'a pleasant film, the storyline is easy to follow' and 'enjoyed the Austrian setting and the characters', there is one sequence which makes magicians want to perform a vanishing act. 'The scene in the Crown Prince’s private residence is quite tense. I’ve never had a private gig that was that awkward!'

Apparently Norton is magical with his light balls

The Illusionist:
'Nothing is what it seems'

The Prestige AKA Wolverine vs Batman

The Prestige (2006)
Dir. Christopher Nolan

A film about viciously competitive stage magicians in early 20th century London, The Prestige has more twists than a box of Christmas tree lights recently brought down from the attic. 'It has a complex story with a few twists, so it’s probably worth watching a couple of times, to pick up those things you don’t see the first time' explains Sumner, who rather than provide us with spoilers, suggests for the full impact we should see the film ourselves, 'I’m a magician, so I’m not giving any secrets away'.

As a performer, 'the film is interesting to me as it mirrors real-world historical examples of stolen tricks among magicians'. Apparently the cruel relationship between fictional rival magicians Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) is not as far-fetched as a Hollywood script might lead you to believe. 'Similar rivalries took place in the past' explains Sumner, 'such as the rivalry between John Nevil Maskelyne and Harry Kellar, who had a dispute over a levitation illusion. This came to a head during one performance when Kellar got up on the stage, unannounced, to see the working behind Maskelyne’s illusion'.

Now You See Me (2013)
Dir. Louis Leterrier

The most recent release of all the films on this list, Now You See Me is a magic-based heist movie featuring an all-star cast which includes Jesse Eisenberg, Mark Ruffalo, Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and, err, Isla Fisher.

'The heist storyline seems very Hollywood to me,' admits the Staffordshire-based magician, 'but I guess that's what sells. It has some good magic in it, and some things which might need to be taken with a pinch of salt'.

While undoubtedly an entertaining spectacle, there is one aspect of the magic world he feels the film got very wrong. 'There is a line where Jesse Eisenberg’s character says that as a magician you should always be the ''smartest person in the room''. It’s a nice thought, but a little arrogant!' admits the entertainer and Magic Circle member. 'Personally, I run my business by surrounding myself with people who are smarter than me and can help me to reach my goals by offering their advice and expertise. I think magicians are at their best when they work together, rather than having a massive ego - but I guess that wouldn’t have sounded so great in a Hollywood film!'

The Magnificent Seven. And Isla Fisher.

Love is inescapable, and so is Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Death Defying Acts (2007)
Dir. Gillian Armstrong

Concerned with the last days of the most famous magician of all time, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce), Death Defying Acts sees con artists trying to get him to part with $10,000 after he challenges psychics the world over to be able to tell him what his mother's dying words to him were. A box office flop, 'this film is a little more obscure and not everyone has heard of it' confesses Sumner.

'In the film a group of con artists try to claim the money, but of course first they need to find out what those words are. I really enjoyed this film, but a word of warning, although some things in the story are based on real events, this film is in the main a work of fiction, so don’t study it for your Houdini history exam'.

Is Anybody There (2008)
Dir. John Crowley

Set in 1987 Britain, Is Anybody There is a touching tale which bridges the generation gap between a young boy and an old performer.

'Michael Caine, who is in three films on this list, plays Clarence, a retired magician who makes friends with a ten-year-old boy who lives at an old people's home run by his parents. As an elderly man in the early stages of dementia he guides the young boy by teaching him about life, death and magic. It’s a fun film with a unique story, and although there’s not much magic in it, it’s definitely worth a watch'.

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If you're interested in finding out more about magic and illusion then head over to Ed Sumner's blog where you can find advice on learning magic and news from the magic community.