FAQ

The Prestige is a 1995 novel by British author Christopher Priest. The novel was adapted for the movie by film-making brothers, Jonathan and Christopher Nolan. Christopher Nolan also directed the film.

Cutter describes every magic trick as having a three-act structure which consists of the pledge, the turn, and the prestige. The pledge is "a magician shows you something ordinary." The turn is that he makes it seem to do something extraordinary, disappear, levitate, transform etc. The prestige ( "..the hardest part..") is the payoff, the reward of the trick for the audience. In a trick like sawing a woman in half, the prestige is reconnecting her. In the central trick of the film, the prestige is when someone appears across the stage or theater having previously disappeared. This three act structure of a trick was invented for the film and is not based on actual terminology used by real life magicians. In the novel on which the film is based, the prestige is the spirits of the duplicate Angiers.

Yes. Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) was a Serbian scientist and inventor who is often called "the father of physics" for his major contributions in the fields of electricity and electromagnetism, including invention of alternating current (AC) electrical power. However, his eccentric personality and his bizarre claims about possible scientific and technological developments also earned him the title of "mad scientist," and he died impoverished at the age of 86. Tesla's later years saw him pursuing more and more unusual applications of technology, with many rumored goals including anti-gravity, death rays, and teleportation. None of these pursuits, however, were ever actualized.

"Analyse" by Thom Yorke, from his album The Eraser.

Angier and Root are both played by Hugh Jackman. For Root, Jackman's appearance was modified using a dental prosthesis and false earlobes (Angier, like Jackman, has attached earlobes and Root has unattached ones). Jackman's nose also appears to have been altered. Trick photography was used when Angier and Root appeared together. When one or the other was seen only from the rear, a double was used.

They were from Harry Percy (Hotspur) in Shakespeare's Henry IV, Part 1. Appearing before the king to explain his failure to turn over prisoners in a recent battle, he claims, "My liege, I did deny no prisoners, but I remember, when the fight was done...". Why this quote? The quotation lends credibility to the characterization of Angier's double as a classical actor, plucked from the ranks of out-of-work actors to play his part. This particular speech is actually known to be Hugh Jackman's set piece that he sometimes used to audition for parts.

Furthermore, there are thematic similarities between Root and Hotspur. The Percy family helped Henry IV overthrow Richard II, and were initially loyal subjects of their new king, but later rebelled because they felt their contributions were unappreciated. Root initially cooperated with Angier, helping him outstage Borden, but then betrayed Angier due to feeling undervalued. Additionally, Hotspur joined the self-professed sorcerer Glendower, while it is implied that Root gives information to Borden, who is a magician.