Product: Magic [VHS] (1978)
Rating: 5.0
Magic is Purely Magical. A Minor Masterpiece.
There is no way I would even attempt to outshine the two current spotlight reviews by Kona, dated August 30, 2003 and by Michael R. Gates, dated May 1, 2006 which are excellent. If they aren't still spotlighted by the time you read this minor review by me, then look for them by their dates. They are truly superior reviews.This film is an outstanding achievement in acting by Anthony (The Silence of the Lambs) Hopkins, and directing by the legendary actor and director Sir Richard Attenborough (The Great EscapeandJurassic Parkfor acting andA Passage to IndiaandGandhi) for directing. Of course, both Hopkins and Attenborough are known for their many other works. Additional fine acting is to be seen and enjoyed in Ann-Margret (Viva Las Vegas) and Burgess (Rocky) Meredith's roles. Even the type-casting of Ed (The Longest Yard) Lauter as the heavy is well-played.Of course, without William Goldman's original novel and film adaptation, we wouldn't have this great story and although one can't say that it's original, as we've seen this issue on both the large and small screen before, it is compellingly done here and, again, much credit to the flawless acting by Hopkins who evokes both great sympathy and great dread and the extraordinary directorial skills of Attenborough.This is a minor masterpiece and I wrote about it as I know that it is also fairly much forgotten and deserves recognition. In spite of knowing the ending after seeing it once, thus the mystery is over, it does have great repeat quality to it as the story is so cleverly told and acted. Purchase this little gem; you won't regret it.