The Prestige (2006) The Prestige
A mystery thriller directed by Christopher Nolan, based on Christopher Priest's 1995 novel, starring Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as rival magicians in turn-of-the-century London whose escalating feud consumes everything they value. The film is structured around the three acts of a magic trick -- the Pledge, the Turn, and the Prestige -- and uses that framework to interrogate obsession, sacrifice, and the cost of greatness.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Director | Christopher Nolan |
| Writers | Jonathan Nolan & Christopher Nolan (screenplay), based on the novel by Christopher Priest |
| Stars | Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie |
| Composer | David Julyan |
| Cinematographer | Wally Pfister |
| Editor | Lee Smith |
| Production Designer | Nathan Crowley |
| Production Companies | Touchstone Pictures / Warner Bros. Pictures / Newmarket Productions / Syncopy |
| Distributor | Buena Vista Pictures (US), Warner Bros. Pictures (international) |
| Budget | ~$40 million |
| Box Office | ~$109.7 million (worldwide) |
| Release Date | October 20, 2006 |
| Running Time | 130 minutes |
| MPAA Rating | PG-13 |
| Filmed In | Los Angeles, California; London, England |
Key Pages
Story & Structure
Cast & Performances
- Cast and Characters (The Prestige)
- Hugh Jackman (The Prestige)
- Christian Bale (The Prestige)
- Michael Caine (The Prestige)
- Scarlett Johansson (The Prestige)
- David Bowie as Tesla
Production & Craft
- Christopher Nolan (The Prestige)
- Production History (The Prestige)
- Wally Pfister (The Prestige)
- David Julyan (The Prestige)
- Victorian London and Colorado Springs
Source Material
Key Sequences
Analysis & Themes
- Themes and Analysis (The Prestige)
- The Three-Act Magic Trick Structure
- Doubles and Duality (The Prestige)
- Obsession and Sacrifice (The Prestige)
- Science vs. Magic (The Prestige)
- The Unreliable Diaries