The Illusionist 2006 quotes

Crown Prince Leopold

Well done.

Eisenheim

Thank you for coming. I hope you enjoyed it.

Crown Prince Leopold

Oh, we more than enjoyed it. Stimulated great debate among us, hasn't it? Except of course for your assistant Duchess Von Teschen. You seem to have struck her quite speechless. A feat in itself. Did you hypnotize her?

Eisenheim

In a fashion.

Crown Prince Leopold

I'd like to learn that trick. Rainer here seems to think you have supernatural powers. Do you claim supernatural powers?

Eisenheim

I've never said anything of that kind.

Crown Prince Leopold

Then you won't mind a question or two?

Sophie

Now let's not ruin it.

Crown Prince Leopold

You needn't divulge anything I can't guess.

Eisenheim

As you wish.

Crown Prince Leopold

Your assistants are behind the mirrors somewhere, in robes obviously. Lights in the frame perhaps to illuminate them, or angled mirrors.

Eisenheim

That would be one way to do it.

Crown Prince Leopold

I think I understand it all except the ghost. That was very, very good.

Josef Fischer

Another viewing, perhaps?

Crown Prince Leopold

You must come to the Hofburg next time. We'll make an evening of it.

Eisenheim

That would be my pleasure.

Crown Prince Leopold

So be it. [motions to Sophie] Sophie? [leaves with Sophie, then turns] And we'll gather our best minds next time. You'll really have a challenge then.

Eisenheim

Then I shall prepare something special. Perhaps I'll make you disappear.

Crown Prince Leopold

You're late.

Chief Inspector Uhl

My apologies, your Highness. I was attending to loose ends of the case.

Crown Prince Leopold

Are there still loose ends?

Chief Inspector Uhl

Very few.

Crown Prince Leopold

Did he do it again? [Uhl nods] How does he do it?

Chief Inspector Uhl

I'm afraid I still don't know.

Crown Prince Leopold

Did you ask him?

Chief Inspector Uhl

He's not talking at this point.

Crown Prince Leopold

Well, I'm sure you have methods for that kind of thing. I want you to put an end to it. Surely you have something on him. Something from his past?

Eisenheim

Are you completely corrupt?

Chief Inspector Uhl

No, not completely, which is why I'll advise you not to accuse anyone.

Inspector Uhl

As a boy, I'm told, he had a chance encounter with a travelling magician. One version of the story was that the man himself vanished... along with the tree. People began to think he had some sort of special power... or at least that he was a bit different. And then he met her.

Eisenheim

From the moment we enter this life, we are in the flow of it [the time]. We measure it and we mark it, but we cannot defy it. We cannot even speed it up or slow it down. Or can we ? Have we not each experienced the sensation… that a beautiful moment seemed to pass too quickly… and wished that we could make it linger ? Or felt time slow on a dull day… and wished that we could speed things up a bit ?

Eisenheim

I thought we might end this evening with a discussion of the soul. All of the greatest religions speak of the soul’s endurance before the end of life. So what then does it mean to die?

Fischer

Life and death. Space and time. Fate and chance. These are the forces of the universe. Tonight, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you a man who has unlocked these mysteries. From the furthest corners of the world where the dark arts still hold sway he returns to us to demonstrate how nature’s laws may be bent. I give you Eisenheim.