Synopsis

In turn-of-the-century Vienna, gifted magician Eisenheim reunites with Sophie, his childhood love, who is now engaged to Crown Prince Leopold. Their rekindled relationship threatens the royal household, drawing the attention of Inspector Uhl. As Eisenheim stages increasingly uncanny performances, Uhl investigates whether the magician is exposing political corruption, practicing genuine supernatural power, or concealing an elaborate deception.

Factoids & Trivia

• The film is loosely based on Steven Millhauser's short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist," published in his 1990 collection The Barnum Museum. The movie greatly expands the story's characters and political intrigue.

• Edward Norton underwent intensive training in sleight of hand and stage magic with British magician James Freedman and American magician Ricky Jay. Norton performed many of the tricks himself, while Freedman also served as a hand double for more demanding shots.

• The orange tree illusion draws on a celebrated stage-magic tradition associated with Jean-Eugene Robert-Houdin, who popularized a version of the trick in 19th-century France.

• Although the story is set in Vienna, much of the production was filmed in the Czech Republic. Prague and Tabor represent Vienna, while other scenes use locations in Cesky Krumlov, Konopiste, and Prague.

• The intimate love scene was illuminated entirely with kerosene lamps. The lamps filled the small set with smoke by the end of each take, making the room difficult to see.

• Philip Glass composed the score, which often carries scenes with little or no dialogue. The soundtrack album was released on August 15, 2006.

• Cinematographer Dick Pope received an Academy Award nomination for Best Cinematography for the film's atmospheric period imagery.