On a tour of Britain in 1926, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) enters into a passionate affair with a psychic out to con him.On a tour of Britain in 1926, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) enters into a passionate affair with a psychic out to con him.On a tour of Britain in 1926, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) enters into a passionate affair with a psychic out to con him.
- Awards
- 5 wins & 7 nominations
Mel Harris
- Rose
- (as Frankey Martyn)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaGuy Pearce spent six weeks learning Houdini's tricks from magician Ross Skiffington.
- GoofsThe opening scene reveals the partially built arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind Houdini as he is lifted to the surface of the water. Houdini died in 1926. Construction of the arches did not commence until 1928.
- Quotes
[last lines]
Benji McGarvie: [narrating] The great Houdini changed our lives. And for a wee short while, we taught him how to love. And me and Mam, we had the here and now. And we had each other.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Lockout (2012)
- SoundtracksThe Flowers of Edinburgh
(uncredited)
Traditional
[Played by fiddler in the pub]
Featured review
It might be the weakest of the latest "Magicians" movies (see Prestige and the Illusionist, the latter being overseen at the Box office), but it still has one strong central performance by Guy Pearce. I'm wondering when he will be in some top rated material again. Because the book does let him down a bit here.
He tries everything and he is pretty good in it, but does not have so much to play with, as Ed Norton, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. All are great actors and the others have the opportunity in their movies to shine. This being based on "true events" (some of them I guess, without having the complete background scoop on it), it does fall flat on it's back at times (no pun intended). Plus it might be a bit too much worried about the love story, than actually the story of our main character. At least that's how I felt ... still it can make a nice watch!
He tries everything and he is pretty good in it, but does not have so much to play with, as Ed Norton, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. All are great actors and the others have the opportunity in their movies to shine. This being based on "true events" (some of them I guess, without having the complete background scoop on it), it does fall flat on it's back at times (no pun intended). Plus it might be a bit too much worried about the love story, than actually the story of our main character. At least that's how I felt ... still it can make a nice watch!
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Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Languages
- Also known as
- Death Defying Acts: Houdini's Secret
- Filming locations
- Fortune Theatre, Russell Street, Covent Garden, Westminster, Greater London, England, UK(McTavish's Music Hall - exterior)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $20,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $5,665
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $3,561
- Jul 13, 2008
- Gross worldwide
- $8,396,245
- Runtime1 hour 37 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.35 : 1
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