THE PRESTIGE

TOUCHSTONE PICTURES and WARNER BROS. PICTURES Present
A NEWMARKET FILMS and SYNCOPY Production
DIRECTOR: Christopher Nolan
WRITERS:  Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan (based upon the novel by Christopher Priest)
PRODUCERS:  Emma Thomas, Aaron Ryder, and Christopher Nolan

Starring:  Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, David Bowie, and Andy Serkis

Opening date:  Friday, October 20, 2006
Rating:  MPAA - PG-13 for violence and disturbing images
Running time:  128 minutes

From filmmaker Christopher Nolan (Memento, Batman Begins) comes a thriller woven out of the stuff of illusions. In this twisting, turning tale of urgent mystery, two Victorian-era magicians spark a powerful rivalry that builds into an escalating battle of tricks and an unquenchable thirst to uncover the other's trade secrets.  As these two remarkable men pit daring against desire, showmanship against science and ambition against friendship, the results are dangerous, deadly and definitely deceptive.

Their rivalry is brought to life by two acclaimed actors: Tony Award-winner Hugh Jackman who became a star for his portrayal of Wolverine in the X-Men film franchise, and Christian Bale, for his intense performances, especially his recent turn as the Caped Crusader in Batman Begins.  Joining them is two-time Oscar® winner Michael Caine, Golden Globe nominee Scarlett Johansson, newcomer Rebecca Hall, rising actress Piper Perabo, The Lord of the Rings trilogy's Andy Serkis ("Gollum") and rock icon David Bowie as the groundbreaking electrical genius Nikola Tesla.

Hugh Jackman in a scene from "The Prestige."

It all begins in rapidly changing, turn-of-the-century London. At a time when magicians are idols and celebrities of the highest order, two young magicians set out to carve their own paths to fame.  The flashy, sophisticated Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) is a consummate entertainer, while the rough-edged purist Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) is a creative genius who lacks the panache to showcase his magical ideas.  They start out as admiring friends and partners.  But when their biggest trick goes terribly awry, they become enemies-for-life - each intent on outdoing and upending the other. Trick by trick, show by show, their ferocious competition builds, until it knows no bounds, even utilizing the fantastical new powers of electricity and the scientific brilliance of Nikola Tesla - while the lives of everyone around them hang in the balance. Rife with sleight-of-hand shocks and revelations, the film delves into a riveting world where the farthest, darkest edges of faith, trust and the possible are probed.

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