The Illusionist ( L'illusionniste )

The Illusionist (DVD) (*)

~~$30.99~~ $24.97

Original Title: L'illusionniste
Screened, competed or awarded at:
British Independent Film Awards
European Film Awards
Golden Globes
Oscar Academy Awards
Other Film Festival Awards

Language Selections:
English ( Dolby Digital 5.1 )
English ( Subtitles )

Product Origin/Format:
United Kingdom ( PAL/Region 2 )

Running Time:
77 min

Aspect Ratio:
Widescreen (1.78:1)

Special Features:
Behind the scenes
Cast/Crew Interview(s)
Featurette
Interactive Menu
Photo Gallery
Scene Access
Trailer(s)

Movie filmed in 2010 and produced in:
France ( France, Benelux )
United Kingdom ( Great Britain, Ireland )

Directed By:
Sylvain Chomet

Written By:
Jacques Tati
Sylvain Chomet

Actors:
Jean-Claude Donda ..... The Illusionist / French Cinema Manager
Eilidh Rankin ..... Alice
Duncan MacNeil ..... Additional Voices
Raymond Mearns ..... Additional Voices
James T. Muir ..... Additional Voices
Tom Urie ..... Additional Voices
Paul Bandey ..... Additional Voices

Synopsis:

The Illusionist is one of a dying breed of stage entertainers. With emerging rock stars stealing his thunder in the late 1950s, he is forced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theatres, at garden parties and in bars and cafés. However, whilst performing in a village pub off the west coast of Scotland, he encounters Alice, an innocent young girl, who will change his life forever. The Illusionist is a love letter from a father to his daughter. For Sophie Tatischeff, the daughter of Jacques Tati, comedy genius and French cinema legend, this touching correspondence could not be left undelivered. Catalogued in the CNC (Centre National de la Cinématographie) archives under the impersonal moniker 'Film Tati Nº 4', this un-produced script has waited half a century for hands to flick through its pages and realize its potential. Those eager hands belonged to Sylvain Chomet, the Oscar nominated and critically acclaimed creator of The Triplets of Belleville/Belleville Rendezvous, who enthusiastically rose to the challenge to fulfil an impossible dream - to once again bring the magic of the incomparable Jacques Tati to life.

A down-on-his-luck illusionist befriends a pretty admirer, and finds his constant quest to impress her may be his ultimate downfall in this animated fable based on an original screenplay by Jacques Tati. Now that the theaters and large performance venues have been taken over by rock bands and pop singers, the illusionist has been forced to ply his trade at small gatherings in bars, café's, and basements in order earn a living. One day, while performing in a small Scottish pub located on a remote island which has only recently been wired for electricity, the illusionist encounters a young girl named Alice who is captivated by his otherworldly abilities. Alice believes the downtrodden performer possesses genuine supernatural powers, and agrees to accompany him on a trip to Edinburgh, where he's scheduled to perform at a modest, out-of-the-way theatre. Her affection and enthusiasm inspires the illusionist, who in turn uses his talent to lavish her with a series of extravagant gifts. Unable to muster the courage to tell his starry-eyed admirer the truth about his trade, the illusionist continues giving until he's got nothing more to offer.

A French ILLUSIONIST finds himself out of work and is of a dying breed of stage entertainers. He is faced to accept increasingly obscure assignments in fringe theatres, at garden parties and in bars and cafés. He finds himself performing in a village pub off the west coast of Scotland where he encounters Alice, a young woman, where their ensuing adventure changes both their lives forever.The story of THE ILLUSIONIST derived as a love letter catalogued by Centre National de la Cinématographie half a century ago. This un-produced script has until now been transformed to film by the critically acclaimed creator of Belleville Rendez-vous, Sylvain Chomet.

This product was added to our catalog on Thursday 17 February, 2011.

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