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Poster for The Magician

The Magician

Seen it?

1958 | 102 min | Drama

Sunday Safe Bet

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (100% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Thoughtful and character-driven.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 42 min.
What might put you off
  • It's in Swedish, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
  • Made in 1958: an older pace and style.
  • Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A traveling magician and his troupe arrive in a Swedish town in the 1840s, where their act is scrutinized by local authorities and a skeptical medical official. Their stay leads to a series of confrontations that test the boundaries between performance, belief, and deception.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    100% on Rotten Tomatoes

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.3 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    Won 1 Venice award: Grand Jury Prize of the Venice Film Festival.

  • Reach & staying powerSolid

    Streaming release that reached a small audience so far; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactBelow par

    About 15K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Ingmar Bergman

  • Max von SydowAlbert Emanuel Vogler
  • Ingrid ThulinManda Vogler
  • Gunnar BjörnstrandDr. Vergerus / Minister of Health
  • Naima WifstrandGranny Vogler
  • Bengt EkerotJohan Spegel
  • Bibi AnderssonSara Lindqvist
  • Gertrud FridhOttilia
  • Lars EkborgSimson
  • Toivo PawloStarbeck
  • Erland JosephsonConsul Egerman