Magic

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Magic

R,

1978,

1h 46m,

Horror

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Watchlist

87%

23 Reviews

Tomatometer

64%

5,000+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

87%

Tomatometer

23 Reviews

64%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

Corky (Anthony Hopkins), a failed magician, adopts a new ventriloquist act with an abrasive dummy named Fats, and suddenly finds himself lined up for a television show. When the unbalanced Corky fears he won't pass the required mental exam, he runs away with Fats to his hometown, where he meets an old love from high school, Peggy (Ann-Margret). Corky persuades Peggy to leave her loveless marriage -- but Fats, who seems to be taking on a mind of his own, doesn't approve of the relationship.

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Critics Consensus

Thanks in large part to Anthony Hopkins' layered performance, Magic is an unusual albeit creepily effective experience.

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Variety Staff

Variety

Mar 26, 2009

In adapting his own best-seller, William Goldman has opted for an atmospheric thriller, a mood director Richard Attenborough fleshes out to its fullest.

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Derek Adams

Time Out

Jun 24, 2006

A hammed-up version of the old chestnut about the ventriloquist who is 'taken over' by his dummy, clumsily adapted by William Goldman from his own novel.

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

May 9, 2005

2/5

Magic is neither eerie nor effective. It is, however, very heavy of hand.

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Gayle Sequeira

BFI

Jul 29, 2023

This Richard Attenborough film is less scary than it is sad, about a mentally ill man wrestling with his inner demons and finding them no easier to control when they’re in tangible form.

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Malcolm L. Johnson

Hartford Courant

May 17, 2023

It is fun to watch, chiefly because of the deftness and bravura of Anthony Hopkins's brilliantly split personality in the leading role, but... One yearns for the sidelights and starts that Alfred Hitchcock might have brought to this story.

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Amanda Mazzillo

Film Joy

Mar 8, 2022

Magic is a psychological horror with strong performances and moments that will linger in your brain.

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Albus W

Dec 14, 2018

Great acting. Loved the story about obsession and insanity/split personalities.

Poe P

Mar 29, 2018

Rather ho hum movie and very predictable. I thought Anthony Hopkins did a good job acting and he is credited with Fat's voice so kudos there as well.

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George P

Nov 4, 2017

A few hiccups (like the godawful love scene) aside, a pretty fun watch.

Draco G

Sep 25, 2017

Magic is my favorite movie ever!

Han R

Sep 22, 2017

A wonderfully droll movie with equal moments creepiness, dark comedy, and fascinating tragedy. Solid work by Anthony Hopkins, director Richard Attenborough and Burgess Meredith. I was surprised how much I like this - coming from a hater of cheap ventriloquist horror flicks.

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Hagrid S

Mar 22, 2017

you'll laugh out loud when FATS KILLS!

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Richard Attenborough

Director

Anthony Hopkins

Corky Withers

Ann-Margret

Peggy Ann Snow

Burgess Meredith

Ben Greene

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Synopsis

Corky (Anthony Hopkins), a failed magician, adopts a new ventriloquist act with an abrasive dummy named Fats, and suddenly finds himself lined up for a television show. When the unbalanced Corky fears he won't pass the required mental exam, he runs away with Fats to his hometown, where he meets an old love from high school, Peggy (Ann-Margret). Corky persuades Peggy to leave her loveless marriage -- but Fats, who seems to be taking on a mind of his own, doesn't approve of the relationship.

Director: Richard Attenborough
Producer: Joseph E. Levine, Richard P. Levine
Screenwriter: William Goldman
Production Co: Joseph E. Levine Productions
Rating: R (Violence)
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 1978, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2017
Runtime: 1h 46m

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