Houdini - 2 Disc Extended Edition [DVD + Digital]

Good movie

I am forgiving to a fault about fiction in Houdini biopics. I understand that time needs to be compressed and conflict needs to be generated for purposes of drama. All the Houdini biopics of the past, such as the wonderful 1953 Houdini biopic starring Tony Curtis, have done this. But those biopics still adhere to the basic superstructure of Houdini's life and career in a respectful way. A basic summary of these biopics will still give you the basic story of Houdini.Unfortunately, that isn’t the case with this latest version of the Houdini story, at least not in the first part of this two-part miniseries from HISTORY. When Houdini's real life doesn't fit screenwriter Nicholas Meyer’s fictions, he changes the life. The real story of how Houdini found success -- a key component in the life story of any entertainer -- is completely thrown out in favor of a single "Johnson County" jail break in 1896. Houdini then springs fully formed as the "most famous man in America" by 1900. This is so far from the truth it's shocking.Meyer's other offenses are more fundamental and just plain sloppy. He misspells Houdini's real name as Erich (it's Ehrich). He presents the Water Torture Cell as Houdini's first major stage escape. Not just horrendously wrong, but it effectively erases the entire progression of Houdini's art and career. He places Houdini's home in Brooklyn instead of Harlem. Houdini was a cinema pioneer. Meyer makes him a cinema holdout. Houdini was a famous teetotaler. Meyer shows him drunk. Superimposed titles are used throughout to locate the action, yet not a single one is accurate. Why use locators if they are not identifying something real? What kills me is Meyer just seems to take the approach that the truth doesn't matter. The truth is what works for him at the moment. The entire thing feels lazy, arrogant, and even amateur.But it soon becomes clear why Meyer so badly mangles the facts of Houdini's early life. Because at minute 40, Washington sends Houdini off to Europe as a secret agent. Now, this 2004 theory that Houdini did "spy" work is HIGHLY dubious and should never have been included in something that purports to be a biopic. But Hollywood cannot resist a spy movie, and this silliness dominates and, for me at least, ruins Part I.But then comes Part II, which, finally free of the hackneyed spy elements, is MUCH better. There finally seems to be an effort on Meyer’s part to tell Houdini's real story. The details of Houdini's death, while dramatically time compressed, are largely accurate. Houdini doesn’t die in the Water Torture Cell, and that’s a first for a Houdini biopic. And the actors finally get to play dramatic scenes without the incessant voice over and hyperactive editing effects. I just wish whatever hand guided this second part was present during the first.In fact, if you make your peace with the inaccuracies and watch this as a tale told by an unreliable narrator -- "with just enough truth to make you believe the lies" -- it can be enjoyable. The production design is magnificant. Adrien Brody, a poor physical match for Houdini, delivers an excellent performance and projects a charisma that he surely shares with The Handcuff King. And the beautiful Kristen Connolly is wonderful as Bess.One thing I would highly recommend is watching the extended version on this DVD, not the TV version that aired on the History Channel. It's the much better version of HOUDINI.(I write a blog about Houdini called WILD ABOUT HARRY.)

We watched immediately, loved the movie.Found out a lot about Houdini’s life that I did not know

Adrien Brody (The Darjeeling Limited,The Grand Budapest Hotel) portrays the famed performer,as we see him as the young immigrant Erich Weiss living his boyhood in Appleton,Wisconsin; he is inspired by magician Robert Houdin to pursue a life in the art of prestidigitation,his now-legendary stage name also inspired by him.With his wife Bess (Kristin Connolly) by his side,he begins his career in vaudeville,but his dedication and prowess to the art soon lift him to international status...which eventually leads to the British government seeking his services as a spy,using his fame to get close to the inner circle of the Kaiser.We later see a constantly changing world threatening to rob him of his audience,so he resorts to life-threatening escapes to regain them.When Houdini's mother dies,he believes he can contact her in the spirit world,but this results in his crusade to debunk the multitude of phony spiritualists operating at the time,one of whom may have been the wife of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (David Calder),a firm believer in the world of the supernatural.Brody portrays Houdini as a man who seems to live his life as a series of obsessions,many of which threaten to become obstacles between him and the people in his life.The world of late-nineteenth/early-twentieth stage magic is a wonder to behold here,as the mechanics of many of Houdini's illusions and escapes are shown.It's amazing how much of this foreshadows the tragic circumstances under which Houdini ultimately met his demise.Writer Nicholas Meyer (The Seven-Per-Cent Solution,Star Trek VI:The Undiscovered Country) and director Uli Edel (Last Exit To Brooklyn,The Mists Of Avalon) have certainly created a unique and entertaining depiction of Harry Houdini.

Liked everything about it, except him dieting so young.

Really great movie.

Interesting movie... Barely any language, but a lot of sex scenes!! But it’s a good movie.

Great performance by Adrien Brody, wonderful visual production and costume design. Also, it was fascinating to see how they revealed Houdini's near-death escape tricks in vivid detail. In addition, Kristen Conolly also delivers a superb supporting performance as Mrs. Houdini. I understand some people might have gripes with this movie because of some of the historical inaccuracies depicted in the film, however, it does not detract from the entertainment value nor the performances. If you are an Adrien Brody fan this one is a must.

Im not A huge fan of Adrien Brody but I have to say that Houdini has changed My opinion of him.This is an Excellent Mini series wonderfully Produced with some stunning period design and also it was Written by the Genius that save the Star Trek Franchise Nicholas Meyer.Brilliant

Watched this on tv and had to buy it on dvd brilliant program dvd quality as it should be all fine.

Yum Yum! lovely - absolutely worth watching to see Adrien Brody ! However, the whole cast, events, scenery is great. Worth its weight in gold! Hmmm, now where does Adrian Brody live.....?!

First of id like to say that I'm not Adrien brodys biggest fan in fact I think he's destroyed every film franchise he's ever been in. However in this TV movie of Houdinis life I must give two thumbs up for his performance everything is 10/10 writing directing etc so I'm one very happy viewer

A decent DVD which I found interesting although it seems to stray from the factual to the fantasy at several points. Good acting and well produced; it's quite long too! The short bonus features are interesting to.