Product: Magic [VHS] (1978)
Rating: 5.0
Marvelous thriller re-released with "Magical" extras
Corky (Anthony Hopkins) a failed magician hits the big time with his ventriloquist act featuring the foul mouthed Fats. When fame comes knocking at his door Corky's world begins to unravel when a major network wants to give him a deal but insists that he undergo a medical examination. His new found fame begins to overwhelm him so Corky returns to his hometown and starts an affair with a crush from high school (Ann-Margaret). It quickly becomes evident to his manager (Burgess Meredith)that Corky is mentally unbalanced.A riveting thriller "Magic" met with hostile critical reaction when it was released despite a strong script by William Goldman ("Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", "Marathon Man", "All the President's Men")from his novel, agile, suspenseful direction by Sir Richard Attenbrough and an incredible performance from Anthony Hopkins. This re-release on the Dark Sky Home Video label features a stunning brand new transfer from the original 35 milimeter negative for the film. The film is presented in its original widescreen aspect ratio that's been enhanced for 16X9 Television sets. It's a pity it hasn't been remixed for 5.1 Dolby Digital but its possible the original soundtrack elements may not exist any longer.Additionally, Dark Sky has produced a number of attractive extras for this terrific edition. "Fats & Friends" is a nearly 30 minute featurette on the film providing background on the history of ventriloquism and plenty of behind-the-scenes stories. We find out for example that Jack Nicholson was originally going to be cast opposite Laurence Olivier in the film and with a different director (Norman Jewison). "An Interview with Victor J. Kemper" the cinematographer on the film features plenty of behind-the-scenes information on the making of the film as well and it runs just over 12 minutes. We also get a vintage radio interview with Anthony Hopkins playing behind bloopers and cut sequences from the film. We get a second interview with Anthony Hopkins as well as Ann-Margret's silent make up tests shot for the movie as well as a photo gallery and the original theatrical trailers two in English and two in Spanish with radio ads. The interactive menu echoes the original chilling commerical that played on TV when the film premiered and is highly inventive and disturbing.