MovieChat Forums > The Illusionist (2006) Discussion > the tricks

the tricks

posted 12 years ago by squigee07
4 replies | jump to latest

Are we (audience) seeing these CGI tricks in a way that would have given the audience of the day (in the movie) the same astonishment?

In other words, the rudimentary projection of the ghost that the inspector watched, probably was in fact what the Illusionist used. And may have spooked, confused the audience the way we would be spooked today if it actually was like it was int he movie (with CGI).

The intention of the film was done in such a way that we the viewer could enjoy the mystery as well. I'm just wondering if the Director meant to do this? If so, then I am fine with the "impossible"; orange tree, sword and ghost trickery and just take the tricks for what they "would" have seemed like at the time.

Afterall, I believe the first motion picture shown was of a train coming into the camera and thus seeming to drive right into the theatre - resulting in everyone running for their lives. I think if the Illusionist used the CNN hologram of Will.I.Am even 10 years ago would have freaked out the audience.

[–] spookyrat1 12 years ago

"Are we (audience) seeing these CGI tricks in a way that would have given the audience of the day (in the movie) the same astonishment?"

I found watching them fascinating.

"The intention of the film was done in such a way that we the viewer could enjoy the mystery as well."

Yes, just like the audiences in the film.

Whilst it's clear CGI was used in some areas, from my reading a lot of the tricks were constructed and coached on the set, so may be it's a little inaccurate to label them all as "CGI tricks".

At any rate I found the story and acting, as well as the tricks, all compelling.

[–] fsvoboda-1 11 years ago

Watch the director's commentary on the DVD. He discusses how the illusions would have been done in the time period of the movie--and the extent to which the film's effects were augmented with CGI post-production. In some cases (as with the second half of the orange tree illusion) CGI was used simply because they were filming on a short schedule; however, all the effects had been actually done on stage in the time period, including the entire orange tree.

[–] spookyrat1 11 years ago

Yes thanks for the input.

I haven't heard the director's commentary, but you've confirmed what I thought had probably occurred.

It's just amazing what some of these magicians developed back in the nineteenth century.

[–] aceventura2013 11 years ago

Spot on! A very good point. If we had seen the tricks like they did at the time, we would start laughing and not been dragged into the story.