What a BANGER of a film this was! This film just hooks you and it doesn't let go. The cast is stacked and the crew did an amazing job. Do you consider this to be the best Christopher Nolan film? What was your reaction? Badd Medicine Arcade (Gaming channel) ua-cam.com/channels/HIstVk00GtduPIXlJLdC3A.html Early Drops & Full Reactions on YT Memberships & Patreon: www.patreon.com/baddmedicine Backup channel Subscribe here ua-cam.com/channels/1CLUwA27dz-94o3FR0o3xg.html
Any chance you guys do a video on the new fan made Wolverine short film 'Logan the Wolf'? It's about a Wolverine variant in the Viking era. It's absolutely insane and brutal. Love the channel 👍
This might be my favorite Nolan film as well. This and Interstellar are my two favorite. See this one at least a half dozen times. Gets better each time. And this one was the first time that I caught the fact that the daughter's Bale was the one who lived. The other one went to jail and died to make sure his brother got to raise the girl.
One of my favourite little parts of this film, when jackman asks bale which knot he tied the night the wife drowned, he says 'I don't know' because it was the other twin that night
But am sure this is something you would definitely ask your twin, which knot did you tie my dude. You will 100% be curious to know, its basic human nature.
One of my favorite bits of foreshadowing for the reveal is when Borden was showing Sarah's nephew the double sided coin. Two sides of the same coin, both faces, never knowing which one will be face up or face down. It's a fantastic allegory for both the Borden twins and not knowing which man would end up in the box.
Her nephew asking, “but where’s his brother?” is such an important line that gets overlooked until you go back and watch the movie for all the clues Nolan puts in.
The real big hint on repeat viewings is Bale’s character (either one), pointing to the Chinese magician getting in his carriage _after_ the show and saying _”that’s_ the trick”. Living a performance 24/7
@jp3813 yes but that doesn't contradict the idea that he is living an act. His wife almost certainly didn't know his true identity. She new he had changed his name - it's unlikely she knew he was actually a British Lord posing as an American (surely she would want him to be able to be his "true" self around her?).
I love how when you watch it multiple times, you can tell most scenes where Bale is playing Albert (the calmer one who loved Sarah) or Frederick (the more intense one who loved Olivia, tied the bad knot, liked to be called Freddie, and was executed.) They combined their names to be called Alfred.
I honestly don't understand their motive and will to do something like this for the rest of their lives. It's not like they made a lot of money doing it. I'd understand if they became multi-millionaires doing this, but surely there were other jobs with decent pay they could've chosen and gotten to live with the family they wanted instead doing this, no?
@@supash3 Yup. But it's too simple to call him "the good one" though) I mean. He's still a big part of his own wife death, and it definetely was horrible to his twin basically not existing. They both shared same obsession. They will be much better man, if they just tell only to their women the truth, but, of course, it's not the point this movie tries to make:)
He does give a shameful reaction after he said that though. Plus, Cutter was still on his side. It's mainly the rivalry between Robert and "Freddie" that escalated everything.
This movie went right over my head the first time I watched it. But then I rewatched it and was blown away. Seen it numerous times since and it's absolutely brilliant. Plus, David F'n Bowie. What more can you say.
Even without all the other clues, the biggest hint was given at the start of the movie with the fishbowl and old man conversation. Brilliantly laid it out there for the audience and no one sees it coming.
@@TheJerbol Tenet is a pure action movie, it even mocks itself for not naming the protagonist, it doesn't matter, the plot only exists to move action set pieces alone, and these set pieces are awesome.
Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVED this movie when it came out. I wished it would’ve gotten more attention than it did, but it came out around the same time as The Illusionist in that era of Hollywood making two rival movies that were ridiculously similar to each other. Always preferred this one tho.
Robert Angier was committing suicide every night. That's what makes the ending so powerful. Cutter told him that drowning was like going to sleep, which was a source of comfort for Angier knowing that he was dying every night. The copy appears elsewhere, the original stays in place. Hence every night, he drops into the tank, the copy survives. His original has been dead since he was shot by the first copy. It's a brutally shocking reveal.
Yeah I think you have it the other way around. There is no answer actual answer of where the copy and original ended up. We just know there are doubles. I personally think the original person ends up far away and the copy remains. Meaning the first time Agier shot himself the original Angier died. And the copy remains in the tank. Meaning he permanently got himself stuck in a vicious cycle of copies killing copies and always being the man in the box
@kay-jay1581 the electricity goes off, and the original stands in the same place while the copy appears elsewhere. Hence the one who stands on the trapdoor drowns, while a copy appears elsewhere. No matter what, the original drowns every night.
As Tesla said, the hats are all his. The machine doesn't make copies, it creates a paradox. Making two of the exact same person though w/ separate consciousness. Angier has survivor's bias. The first time, he remembers shooting the transported man. For every instance thereafter, he remembers being the transported man. Hence, he doesn't actually know whether the man who enters the machine gets teleported or not. He just remembers surviving on both ends.
Good catch on Angier wanting to die after his wife was murdered/manslaughtered, like when he held his own face underwater until he couldn't anymore. Getting to actually die every night and yet still be alive the next day must be cathartic for him
He has been on both sides, hence he's not sure anymore. The first time, he shoots the prestige. The rest of the time, he drowns the man in the box. Survivor's bias makes it so that he always remembers living after using the machine. As Tesla said, all the hats are his. Even in the script itself, the Nolans refer to the drowned corpses as "Angier" instead of something like "Angier's copies". Thus, the machine creates paradoxes. Kinda like how Marty McFly sees himself at the end of BTTF1.
I think the question is, how do we tell if its the copy or the original that gets teleported? If they are a complete copy, with the same mind, there is no way to know if the one on stage is the one that gets killed or the one who survives. Therefore, he is leaping into the unknown every night. It's fucked up. And as the commenter before me said. The first time, the one who teleported was killed. After that, only the one who teleported survived. So the one thing we know for certain is, at some point, whether after the first teleportation+cloning or the first show, the original was killed. And at the first show, he knew for certain that after that show, he had been killed - either at that show or at the first teleportation+cloning It's so chilling. Fucks me up every time I think about it. The idea that he was willing to do that to himself.
The book is *fantastic* -- it's done as a sort of diary/flashback from present day where one descendant of each magician have found their journals and are trying to make sense of everything that happened. It won several prizes, including the James Tait Black, which is the oldest literature prize in Britain. (This is my favorite Nolan, just past Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight. I recommend repeat viewings - it gets better each time.)
I like how the BM crew realizes that Robert's obsession was his downfall and he was unwilling to accept the obvious answer, then they start arguing about the answers given in the movie thinking that a Nolan movie has to have more secrets still untold.
This movie is FANTASTIC!!! Haven’t watched it in years, thank you all for reacting to it!!! Your channel is so much fun, love getting to rewatch things with y’all and see what you think 🤘🏻
This film has some of the best foreshadowing and duality between characters. One thing I find incredibly poignant is that both husbands end up dying how their wives did; Robert drowns over and over again like his wife, and Alfred's life is taken by hanging, presumably like the woman he loved if he was the one who loved her. And how good is David Bowie in this film. Amazing. Also 44:15 "the symbology!" I believe the word you're looking for is symbolism, what is the sssymbolism there? 😂❤
The film is structured like the process of a magic trick. Act 1 ends with the wife drowning or the pledge, Act 2 ends with Angier stepping into the machine for the first time ("and here at the turn, I must leave you"). The ending of Act 3 is the reveal of Borden to Angier, or the prestige. The Borden twins actually have distinct personalities. The first of them (who loved Scarlett Johansson) is obsessed with performing magic tricks and is loud, confrontational, and quick to anger. He's the one who tied the double knot and killed Angier's wife in the process. He's also the one who got his fingers shot off by Angier and was ultimately jailed and hanged at the end. The second twin (who loved Sarah) is much more quiet, measured, and approachable. His talent is he's really good at deciphering how other magicians perform their tricks. Chronologically, we first see him when he and Angier go to figure out how the fish bowl trick is done. He is also the one who shows up at the funeral to pay his respects and says he doesn't know which knot was tied (he really didn't know and was telling the truth!). Tesla did build a machine for Borden when he and Angier's rivalry over the transported man trick started heating up, but it was just glorified set dressing, a machine that gave off electricity overhead. The trick was still performed by the twins as usual, there were no clones involved. Angier still believed Borden was just one man and that Tesla really had built Borden a teleporting machine. Angier asked Tesla to build one that could do the same thing, but better. Since Tesla was staring his last financial resource in the face he agreed to do it. Tesla did in fact succeed in building such a device for Angier, with the unintentional side effect of creating copies of beings or objects ("These things never quite turn out the way you expect them to"). Through science, Tesla inadvertently created a machine that could do REAL magic and you could calibrate how close or far away to send the duplicate. Tesla wanted Angier to destroy it because, well think about it: creating endless armies, endless resources to invade the world with if it fell into the wrong hands and such. Lord Caldlow is actually Angier's real name. Angier is his stage name. He came from a wealthy family who didn't approve of his interest in magic. He was a great showman but to fellow magicians his methods were amateur at best ("I can spot Angier's methods from the back of the theater"). Borden was good at magic tricks, but terrible at selling the crowd on them ("He's a wonderful magician, he's a terrible showman"). The first time you see Angier and Borden as magician's assistants walking up on stage you'll notice that Borden just walks up the stairs directly over to Angier's wife, whereas Angier faces the crowd, smiles and bows, putting on a show.
I am team Alfred as in the brother who was loving his wife and daughter. I think the brother who was so obsessed with magic was Freddie who was into his assistant and the one who died at the gallows. Freddie didn't loved their wife and felt trapped by the family life he was living for his brother. He was ruthless in his magic and life and probably the one who tied the hard knot on Piper. So not his team but the other brothers one. ;)
Same. In the book the twins names were Albert and Fredrick. They combined their names to create the Alfred persona. Fredrick was the obsessed twin. He loved Olivia which is why he has her call him Freddie. Albert loved Sarah and fathered Jess. Sadly in the end both lost what they loved most. The difference was that Albert walked away after losing Sarah while Freddie still couldn't let it go.
This came out around the same time as The Illusionist and there are so many parallels. You have Christian Bale and Edward Norton, two of the best actors of our generation. Andy Serkis and Paul Giamatti, two of the best character actors of our generations . You have Scarlet Johansson and Jessica Biel, who were considered the most beautiful women at the time and both dated Justin Timberlake. Finally the theme of the movie, an unsolvable magic trick.
I've been waiting for this reacton since i first discovered your channel, in my opinion Nolans best movie and it's also one of my favourites of all time, can't wait for this reaction
This is in my opinion the best Nolan movie. The book it's based on is fantastic too. It's a pretty faithful adaptation, but they were still different enough that even after watching the movie, the book surprised me in the end.
With a name like 'The Prestige' I never expected it to be a film about Magicians, but what a brilliantly crafted story! Dialogue, set designs, costumes, just outstanding! & love films that are set in this time period! Just gives it that extra special feel! & full stacked cast who played their parts perfectly! & thanks for your in depth discussion comments at the end, really gave me some good insights & helped piece together my thoughts about it better. 🙂👌
Incredible. I’m so glad you guys actually watched this! I remember recommending this on a community post months back and didn’t think you would. Very happy!
The reveal creeps me out. Still to this day. Most unsettling I guess because the film did a good job of propping up the vehicle (magic) while hiding the unspeakable.
I saw this movie at least 5 times in theaters when it came out and I caught something new every time I saw it… it is still one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time. Fantastic masterpiece that not nearly enough people have seen/heard of. Great reaction as always, fellas.
My first Nolan film I saw was Batman Begins in theaters, but I picked this movie up on DVD from the local library in 2007. It blew me away then and still blows my mind how good this nearly 20 year old film is !
Obsession destroys everyone around you... but no one so badly as yourself. The themes of this movie are executed with such tragic inevitability. This is my favorite Nolan movie, and in my top 3 movies of all time. Also, this is a rare occasion of the film being better than the book that inspired it. The novel is fine, but this film is laser focused and doesn't let a second veer off track or go to waste. Awesome reaction!!
The real magic trick is the end that nobody realizes! They give you the "big reveal" while the real trick is being performed, brilliantly done btw. The brother that was hanged was, the wrong brother. He was the one who didn't tie the knot & had the family. Watch how he lit up when HIS daughter came to visit him 1 last time in prison & the speech he gave his brother. He gave him the red ball so that the other brother could be there for his daughter, bringing him back. The Prestige. Look into Bale's eyes when he & Michael Caine head nod behind the little girl's back as he's hugging her. They both know the secret. That's the BEST reveal in a movie that totally goes unnoticed! The dialogue between Bale & Jackman at the end when he shot him, was partially an act to make it seem like he had escaped prison & declare victory, while he died. RE- WATCH all the ending moments and really pay attention to the body language and subtle clues. Both magicians died the same way as their wives in the end.
I really enjoyed watching this with you guys. The prestige is one of those thought provoking movies that make you question/reflect on certain things. I couldn't stop thinking about it even hours after I watched it for the first time! loved the movie AND the reaction ❤
I saw this for the first time last year. Since then, I've seen it around 10 more times, each with people who hadn't seen it before so I could live vicariously through their reactions. Glad I got to do it again! I consider this my personal favorite standalone movie of all time, as the LOTR trilogy is my all time favorite. Unbelievable movie.
This is Nolan’s best film and I’ve argued this might be like a top 3 movie all time if not #1… I was absolutely blown away when I saw it and it’s so fun to watch again so you can see the clues in plain sight! The line that starts the movie, “are you watching closely” is literally dialogue to us the audience telling us to pay attention because this movie is an actual magic trick! It’s a classic Nolan masterpiece!
After years of watching this over and over, I actually just realized the tragedy that YES they(Bale’s characters) both loved magic more than their partners and that mean that they both were cheating on their partners for Magic. In the end (due to the time this takes place) who actually knows the father of the little girl. They shared Father, Uncle and Butler to the little girl her entire life. EPIC.
I've watched this movie so many times, but I always discover new layers to it. The line Borden says to the boy after he first meets his wife, "The secret impresses no one; it's the trick you use it for that matters" is immediately followed by the first time we see him use the trick - to be back in her apartment after leaving it. He decided that she mattered to him, in that moment, and that this was the right use of his trick (even before he ever got around to performing it in front of a crowd).
I read Christopher priests novel and it was pretty similar in certain aspects, but also very different in ways with some extra layers and characters. There’s a frame story set in the modern day before it fully delves into the journals and the past. But overall it was fairly similar in plot and themes of obsession, and equally amazing. I recommend. Great reaction btw
Both were living their act. Lord Caldlow was playing Robert Angier who was playing The Great Danton. The Twins, Albert & Freddie, were both playing a magician named Alfred Borden and his assistant Fallon.
The scene that reveals so much upon rewatches is the one about the magician and his fishbowl trick. Borden points out that the fishbowl isn't the true illuson; it's the way the magician lives his life, faking his slow, hunched over posture in order to trick his audience, when he's actually strong enough to carry the bowl under his robes. Borden notices this because that is what he's doing, living his illusion every moment. He's already living as one individual with his twin at that point, in preparation for the opportunities to perform the "Transported Man",
This is one of my favorite films of all time. I'm sad you clocked Fallon being Bale. I didn't at all and was GOOPED. I was so shocked. And the lingering horror of Danton's nightly choice to kill himself...haunting, truly. Plus the concept of the whole film being a magic trick ending in a Prestige...it's genius.
I had to take filler courses in college after completing all my courses for my accounting degree and one of the courses I chose was Film Appreciation. We watched plenty of movies throughout the year, but we had to watch 3 movies on our own and write a synopsis as well as how a film was directed and why the director took that approach. This was the first movie assigned to us. This movie gave me such a deeper understanding and appreciation for Nolan and similar directors who take such interesting approaches to film.
The first time I saw this, I figured out what was going to happen about 3/4 of the way through. Still didn't stop the full impact of seeing the ending. Just stunning.
I love how meta this movie in Borden's explanation of the importance of the trick vs. the secret. The trick creates wonder and awe. Once you give the trick and the secret, they're done with you. The magic's gone. And that's kind of like this movie. You can rewatch a dozen times, and I have, and enjoy it for how well it was written, executed and the acting, but you'll never have that magic back again from the first time.
This is one of my favorite films - another very rewatchable one. ❤ I always thought the rivalry involved one twin more than the other. The 'Alfred' that was hanged is the one that just wouldn't let it go, and got caught in the trap that Robert set. Also, at the end, Cutter just wanted the little girl to be raised by her father, and he was unhappy that Robert went too far with the framing for murder and that he 'stole' Alfred's daughter. He knew there must have been a double Alfred the entire time, so he was fine with him taking her back.
I have read the book. It is quite different. It has been years, but from my memory : The machine basically transformed the user into a ghost… permanently. Most of the story was flashbacks with the character reading the diaries. The details of Alfred were great! One twin was Frederick (the one hanged, angry and in love with Olivia) and one was Albert (good hearted, the father and loved Sarah). When they decided to “merge” they became Alfred. This is my favorite movie, and you get so much after repeat watches. It is so good! Glad you guys loved it!
my opinion: i think bale's twin characters... i think there is something beautiful in the depth of his commitment to his craft. to LIVE fully forever in secret. to live half. simple but very difficult. a huge sacrifice. on the other hand - it is betrayal for their ladies - to an unforgivable level. when she learned the truth she ended her life. how could he ever forgive himself. and hugh.... he only lived and breathed for his obsession and by the end it ruined him too. both were only living for their work. i love how in the beginning bale voice over "we were two people on a mission..." he was talking about his twin but we think he means hugh. it's just so good.
I always thought the wife didn't find out, she just hung herself because she thought he was lying to her and/or couldn't live with the inconsistency. Regardless, I agree it's a huge betrayal for their relationships!
@@lisabelovedwell she clearly stated that “I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE” and then Alfred responds “DO YOU THINK LIKE LIVING LIKE THIS?!” I’m sure Sarah figured out his secret; but damn Freddie was a stubborn bull and so Albert. They should have just confessed the truth to her. Spare her the pain of questioning her life every damn moment.
This is a movie that is so captivating, it can keep your attention for so long. Showing all the breads crumbs and clues, and all of that without ever diminishing the drama. There was some comedy, some levity...but the mystery was always front and center. A murder mystery between illusionists. One where nobody wins.
I saw this movie in theaters with a group of friends when we were teenagers. To say we were shook is an understatement. I'd never had so many conflicting emotions about a movie, because while I enjoyed it and thought it was incredibly well done, I was also deeply unsettled by the twist. It stuck with me so much, it was years before I could watch it again.
Great reaction guys ! I agree I saw this movie when it first came out and I have recommended it to tons of people and every one always loves it. This movie transcends genres, it is not scifi it is not comic book. Everyone and anyone can watch this movie and LOVE IT! That is what makes it great!
This is definitely up there with the best Nolan movies. I'm not a huge fan of DUNKIRK or OPPENHEIMER, but I absolutely love BATMAN BEGINS, THE DARK KNIGHT, MEMENTO and TENNET. Always great news when this man has a new movie out.
The only way that I can see that this movie had been "underrated" might be because a lot of folks never really caught on to what actually happened, thus leaving them baffled of the sheer brilliance of the movie plot.
Mason is correct. As soon as the credits rolled in the theater, I said out loud that this was Nolan's Masterpiece. As good as all his other work is, nothing, NOTHING, has come close. It's perfect storytelling.
Interstellar is my favorite Nolan movie and this is my 2nd favorite. Very well done all of you on picking up on details on first watch when many of them aren’t picked up until other viewings. Like not knowing what knot he tied because it was the twin who did it. Fabulous reaction and great work picking stuff up
Every time y'all release a video of something I've seen, it makes my day. When it's a movie as wonderful and special as this, it makes my month! keep it up guys, we REALLY appreciate it!
i love this movie! i first saw it when i was like 13 and laying on the couch sick as hell from the flu or something. i genuinely had no idea what it was going to be about or who was in it but i left it on the TV (it was playing on TNT) anyway and i was SO surprised with how good it was and how much i liked it. Nolan does such a good job is distracting the audience with everything that's going on, he's the ultimate magician here. Repo Men (2010) played right after so i always associate the two movies with one another lol
It's one of those thought provoking movies that make you question/reflect on certain things. I couldn't stop thinking about the movie after watching it for the first time. Loved the movie AND the reaction ❤
What a BANGER of a film this was! This film just hooks you and it doesn't let go. The cast is stacked and the crew did an amazing job. Do you consider this to be the best Christopher Nolan film? What was your reaction?
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Any chance you guys do a video on the new fan made Wolverine short film 'Logan the Wolf'? It's about a Wolverine variant in the Viking era. It's absolutely insane and brutal. Love the channel 👍
This might be my favorite Nolan film as well. This and Interstellar are my two favorite. See this one at least a half dozen times. Gets better each time.
And this one was the first time that I caught the fact that the daughter's Bale was the one who lived. The other one went to jail and died to make sure his brother got to raise the girl.
If yall liked this try The Illusionist w Edward Norton. It's similar to this but just as good!
@@MonteBurns1234 Yes. The illusionist is a terrific film, too.
i dunno... it is so damn hard to pick A favourite/best christopher nolan film for me because they are all so damn good...!
One of my favourite little parts of this film, when jackman asks bale which knot he tied the night the wife drowned, he says 'I don't know' because it was the other twin that night
I never thought of that.
But am sure this is something you would definitely ask your twin, which knot did you tie my dude. You will 100% be curious to know, its basic human nature.
@@harish123az He did "It's a question I always ask myself"
@@bobmorhane6745 So then he would know the answer, his twin wouldnt lie to him. (And he tells Angier he doesnt know, not that he wont tell him).
You know, I've watched this film more than a few times over the years and I never caught that at all. Well spotted!!
I love how they were ALMOST there but overcomplicated their answer just like Hugh jackman did. Amazing
One of my favorite bits of foreshadowing for the reveal is when Borden was showing Sarah's nephew the double sided coin. Two sides of the same coin, both faces, never knowing which one will be face up or face down. It's a fantastic allegory for both the Borden twins and not knowing which man would end up in the box.
And before that the birds, with one needing to die for the trick
Her nephew asking, “but where’s his brother?” is such an important line that gets overlooked until you go back and watch the movie for all the clues Nolan puts in.
It’s the same coin in the dark knight that Harvey Dent uses.
When I heard Dave say "Not like a twin" I started crying 😂😂
😂
Same 😂
Literally cackled out loud 🤣🤣
He has obviously seen it before, just did it for content
The real big hint on repeat viewings is Bale’s character (either one), pointing to the Chinese magician getting in his carriage _after_ the show and saying _”that’s_ the trick”. Living a performance 24/7
Also Caine yelling about there being a double the entire time.
To be fair, Angier already tells Olivia that Borden lives his act, but he meant it in the context of faking a double.
And when you watch it a third time you realise Borden is telling Angier something he already knows (as Angier's true identity is lord Caldlow).
@@user-fg5lq2dg4h In the scene directly after, Angier tells his wife that it's not the same thing for him.
@jp3813 yes but that doesn't contradict the idea that he is living an act. His wife almost certainly didn't know his true identity. She new he had changed his name - it's unlikely she knew he was actually a British Lord posing as an American (surely she would want him to be able to be his "true" self around her?).
“Not like a twin or anything like that”
The way I choked on my tea 😂 calling it without actually calling it, classic Diamond Dave 😂😂😂
I love how when you watch it multiple times, you can tell most scenes where Bale is playing Albert (the calmer one who loved Sarah) or Frederick (the more intense one who loved Olivia, tied the bad knot, liked to be called Freddie, and was executed.) They combined their names to be called Alfred.
The fish bowl trick was foreshadowing of what Borden's trick was. They lived their magic trick. Their whole lives.
Sorta, Borden asked Tesla to make him a machine. The Machine Made Fallen. THEN they lived the trick the rest of their lives.
that's why Borden figured it out immediately.
Nolan was showing us the secret in plain view from the very outset. That was the most impressive aspect of the movie.
I honestly don't understand their motive and will to do something like this for the rest of their lives. It's not like they made a lot of money doing it.
I'd understand if they became multi-millionaires doing this, but surely there were other jobs with decent pay they could've chosen and gotten to live with the family they wanted instead doing this, no?
@@MamadNobari Many people have motivations other than money.
This is Nolan’s best film.
No.
@@shamrokz95 This film is more complete than the Dark Knight. Yes.
Agreed
Bold statement
This is a tie with Interstellar for me personally.
By far my favorite Nolan movie. Keeps a great atmosphere throughout the whole thing.
It's so underrated!
Same here
Same. I miss when he used to make movies like this.
Exactly! The atmosphere of a movie is everything for me, especially it is set in the past.
Same.
"I dont care about my wife, I care about his secret".
At that point, Angier becomes the villain.
Right. I started out rooting for Angier and ended up rooting for the good Borden twin.
@@VelkanAngelsExactly, it’s easy to differentiate between the Borden twins. The one who loves Sarah becomes very easy to root for on rewatch.
@@supash3 Yup. But it's too simple to call him "the good one" though) I mean. He's still a big part of his own wife death, and it definetely was horrible to his twin basically not existing. They both shared same obsession. They will be much better man, if they just tell only to their women the truth, but, of course, it's not the point this movie tries to make:)
@@sungunner6244 Great point
He does give a shameful reaction after he said that though. Plus, Cutter was still on his side. It's mainly the rivalry between Robert and "Freddie" that escalated everything.
I've seen this film about 7 times, and I STILL discover new things about it. The most complex and best thing Christopher Nolan's ever made imho.
I love the stuff with Borden and Fallon, how "honest" the two of them are while still lying to Olivia and Sarah.
The first clue about The Prestige is that there are two Alfreds (Michael Caine and Andy Serkis).
HA! Good one! 😆
Nolan: "My plans are measured in decades"
Woooowww - good catch.
there’s something magical about rewatching my favorite movies with the guys
Agreed!
This movie went right over my head the first time I watched it. But then I rewatched it and was blown away.
Seen it numerous times since and it's absolutely brilliant. Plus, David F'n Bowie. What more can you say.
Even without all the other clues, the biggest hint was given at the start of the movie with the fishbowl and old man conversation. Brilliantly laid it out there for the audience and no one sees it coming.
Nolan just doesn't miss. Ever since Memento, he's been making banger after banger for 25 years now
Tenet was a pretty fat miss
@@TheJerbol maybe in terms of box office, but it's an amazing action movie
@@robertmarginean164i really liked tenet.
@@TheJerbol Tenet is a pure action movie, it even mocks itself for not naming the protagonist, it doesn't matter, the plot only exists to move action set pieces alone, and these set pieces are awesome.
@@Eagle3302PL Sounds like a generic movie by Michael Bay, nothing of what makes Nolan great
Oh my goodness, I absolutely LOVED this movie when it came out. I wished it would’ve gotten more attention than it did, but it came out around the same time as The Illusionist in that era of Hollywood making two rival movies that were ridiculously similar to each other. Always preferred this one tho.
Now we have to do the illusionist. lol
@@BaddMedicine I prefer The Illusionist but both are great!
@@BaddMedicine
The Illusionist is a must. 😊
@@BaddMedicine😆
the illusionist is really damn good too... but i prefer prestige more...
I remember watching this movie in the theater..... people went nuts when the twist was revealed. Definitely one of Nolan's best film.
Robert Angier was committing suicide every night. That's what makes the ending so powerful. Cutter told him that drowning was like going to sleep, which was a source of comfort for Angier knowing that he was dying every night.
The copy appears elsewhere, the original stays in place. Hence every night, he drops into the tank, the copy survives. His original has been dead since he was shot by the first copy.
It's a brutally shocking reveal.
If the copy appears elsewhere than it was a copy that was shot on the first duplication.
Yeah I think you have it the other way around. There is no answer actual answer of where the copy and original ended up. We just know there are doubles. I personally think the original person ends up far away and the copy remains. Meaning the first time Agier shot himself the original Angier died. And the copy remains in the tank. Meaning he permanently got himself stuck in a vicious cycle of copies killing copies and always being the man in the box
@kay-jay1581 the electricity goes off, and the original stands in the same place while the copy appears elsewhere. Hence the one who stands on the trapdoor drowns, while a copy appears elsewhere. No matter what, the original drowns every night.
As Tesla said, the hats are all his. The machine doesn't make copies, it creates a paradox. Making two of the exact same person though w/ separate consciousness. Angier has survivor's bias. The first time, he remembers shooting the transported man. For every instance thereafter, he remembers being the transported man. Hence, he doesn't actually know whether the man who enters the machine gets teleported or not. He just remembers surviving on both ends.
Good catch on Angier wanting to die after his wife was murdered/manslaughtered, like when he held his own face underwater until he couldn't anymore. Getting to actually die every night and yet still be alive the next day must be cathartic for him
He said it takes great courage not knowing if your the man in the box or the man in the prestige, but he knew. He was always the man in the box.
yes that's the implication. bale actually avenges original jackman.
@@user-wi9hv2pb2q Original Jackman has been dead for a while. It's just clones killing clones, each one thinking they are the original.
@kyuubey7688 the original got shot by the clone when he first used the machine on himself
He has been on both sides, hence he's not sure anymore. The first time, he shoots the prestige. The rest of the time, he drowns the man in the box. Survivor's bias makes it so that he always remembers living after using the machine. As Tesla said, all the hats are his. Even in the script itself, the Nolans refer to the drowned corpses as "Angier" instead of something like "Angier's copies". Thus, the machine creates paradoxes. Kinda like how Marty McFly sees himself at the end of BTTF1.
I think the question is, how do we tell if its the copy or the original that gets teleported?
If they are a complete copy, with the same mind, there is no way to know if the one on stage is the one that gets killed or the one who survives. Therefore, he is leaping into the unknown every night. It's fucked up.
And as the commenter before me said. The first time, the one who teleported was killed. After that, only the one who teleported survived. So the one thing we know for certain is, at some point, whether after the first teleportation+cloning or the first show, the original was killed. And at the first show, he knew for certain that after that show, he had been killed - either at that show or at the first teleportation+cloning
It's so chilling. Fucks me up every time I think about it. The idea that he was willing to do that to himself.
“… but where’s his brother?”
Such an impactful line that holds little meaning when first watching this movie.
And beautifully applicable to both Alfred and Algiers secret
The book is *fantastic* -- it's done as a sort of diary/flashback from present day where one descendant of each magician have found their journals and are trying to make sense of everything that happened. It won several prizes, including the James Tait Black, which is the oldest literature prize in Britain. (This is my favorite Nolan, just past Oppenheimer and The Dark Knight. I recommend repeat viewings - it gets better each time.)
I like how the BM crew realizes that Robert's obsession was his downfall and he was unwilling to accept the obvious answer, then they start arguing about the answers given in the movie thinking that a Nolan movie has to have more secrets still untold.
This movie is FANTASTIC!!! Haven’t watched it in years, thank you all for reacting to it!!! Your channel is so much fun, love getting to rewatch things with y’all and see what you think 🤘🏻
This film has some of the best foreshadowing and duality between characters. One thing I find incredibly poignant is that both husbands end up dying how their wives did; Robert drowns over and over again like his wife, and Alfred's life is taken by hanging, presumably like the woman he loved if he was the one who loved her. And how good is David Bowie in this film. Amazing.
Also 44:15 "the symbology!" I believe the word you're looking for is symbolism, what is the sssymbolism there? 😂❤
The film is structured like the process of a magic trick. Act 1 ends with the wife drowning or the pledge, Act 2 ends with Angier stepping into the machine for the first time ("and here at the turn, I must leave you"). The ending of Act 3 is the reveal of Borden to Angier, or the prestige. The Borden twins actually have distinct personalities. The first of them (who loved Scarlett Johansson) is obsessed with performing magic tricks and is loud, confrontational, and quick to anger. He's the one who tied the double knot and killed Angier's wife in the process. He's also the one who got his fingers shot off by Angier and was ultimately jailed and hanged at the end. The second twin (who loved Sarah) is much more quiet, measured, and approachable. His talent is he's really good at deciphering how other magicians perform their tricks. Chronologically, we first see him when he and Angier go to figure out how the fish bowl trick is done. He is also the one who shows up at the funeral to pay his respects and says he doesn't know which knot was tied (he really didn't know and was telling the truth!). Tesla did build a machine for Borden when he and Angier's rivalry over the transported man trick started heating up, but it was just glorified set dressing, a machine that gave off electricity overhead. The trick was still performed by the twins as usual, there were no clones involved. Angier still believed Borden was just one man and that Tesla really had built Borden a teleporting machine. Angier asked Tesla to build one that could do the same thing, but better. Since Tesla was staring his last financial resource in the face he agreed to do it. Tesla did in fact succeed in building such a device for Angier, with the unintentional side effect of creating copies of beings or objects ("These things never quite turn out the way you expect them to"). Through science, Tesla inadvertently created a machine that could do REAL magic and you could calibrate how close or far away to send the duplicate. Tesla wanted Angier to destroy it because, well think about it: creating endless armies, endless resources to invade the world with if it fell into the wrong hands and such. Lord Caldlow is actually Angier's real name. Angier is his stage name. He came from a wealthy family who didn't approve of his interest in magic. He was a great showman but to fellow magicians his methods were amateur at best ("I can spot Angier's methods from the back of the theater"). Borden was good at magic tricks, but terrible at selling the crowd on them ("He's a wonderful magician, he's a terrible showman"). The first time you see Angier and Borden as magician's assistants walking up on stage you'll notice that Borden just walks up the stairs directly over to Angier's wife, whereas Angier faces the crowd, smiles and bows, putting on a show.
Well put, thank you
I am team Alfred as in the brother who was loving his wife and daughter. I think the brother who was so obsessed with magic was Freddie who was into his assistant and the one who died at the gallows. Freddie didn't loved their wife and felt trapped by the family life he was living for his brother. He was ruthless in his magic and life and probably the one who tied the hard knot on Piper. So not his team but the other brothers one. ;)
Same. In the book the twins names were Albert and Fredrick. They combined their names to create the Alfred persona.
Fredrick was the obsessed twin. He loved Olivia which is why he has her call him Freddie. Albert loved Sarah and fathered Jess.
Sadly in the end both lost what they loved most. The difference was that Albert walked away after losing Sarah while Freddie still couldn't let it go.
This came out around the same time as The Illusionist and there are so many parallels. You have Christian Bale and Edward Norton, two of the best actors of our generation. Andy Serkis and Paul Giamatti, two of the best character actors of our generations . You have Scarlet Johansson and Jessica Biel, who were considered the most beautiful women at the time and both dated Justin Timberlake. Finally the theme of the movie, an unsolvable magic trick.
Ewww Justin Timberlake 🤮🤮🤮
I've been waiting for this reacton since i first discovered your channel, in my opinion Nolans best movie and it's also one of my favourites of all time, can't wait for this reaction
Oh man... I love this movie and might be Nolan's best movie.
Even watching this reaction I got goosebumps again like the first time
This is in my opinion the best Nolan movie. The book it's based on is fantastic too. It's a pretty faithful adaptation, but they were still different enough that even after watching the movie, the book surprised me in the end.
This is Nolan’s best film. Absolute genius.
Whenever someone forces me to choose a favourite film of all time, I name this.
seriously one of my top five movies of all time, truly amazing and unmatched plot twist
This is & has always been my favourite Nolan film. It's just storytelling, filmmaking & acting at its very best.
With a name like 'The Prestige' I never expected it to be a film about Magicians, but what a brilliantly crafted story! Dialogue, set designs, costumes, just outstanding! & love films that are set in this time period! Just gives it that extra special feel! & full stacked cast who played their parts perfectly! & thanks for your in depth discussion comments at the end, really gave me some good insights & helped piece together my thoughts about it better. 🙂👌
The Prestige is the best Nolan film in my opinion.
Not for money, not for revenge but Angier was motivated by THE PRESTIGE. The look on the audiences faces. Nolan is a genius.
Incredible. I’m so glad you guys actually watched this! I remember recommending this on a community post months back and didn’t think you would. Very happy!
Nolan's most underrated masterpiece!
I think Imsomnia is more underrated.
The reveal creeps me out. Still to this day. Most unsettling I guess because the film did a good job of propping up the vehicle (magic) while hiding the unspeakable.
So well done that we don't even comment on the actual magic of Tesla's machine, just the illusions these of two men.
I saw this movie at least 5 times in theaters when it came out and I caught something new every time I saw it… it is still one of my top 5 favorite movies of all time. Fantastic masterpiece that not nearly enough people have seen/heard of. Great reaction as always, fellas.
You aren’t wrong - so far, this is Nolan’s masterpiece.
My first Nolan film I saw was Batman Begins in theaters, but I picked this movie up on DVD from the local library in 2007. It blew me away then and still blows my mind how good this nearly 20 year old film is !
As a magician I really love this movie. Also you know they actually have made Wireless power units. I seen it in Popular Science back in about 2007.
Obsession destroys everyone around you... but no one so badly as yourself.
The themes of this movie are executed with such tragic inevitability.
This is my favorite Nolan movie, and in my top 3 movies of all time.
Also, this is a rare occasion of the film being better than the book that inspired it.
The novel is fine, but this film is laser focused and doesn't let a second veer off track or go to waste.
Awesome reaction!!
The real magic trick is the end that nobody realizes! They give you the "big reveal" while the real trick is being performed, brilliantly done btw. The brother that was hanged was, the wrong brother. He was the one who didn't tie the knot & had the family. Watch how he lit up when HIS daughter came to visit him 1 last time in prison & the speech he gave his brother. He gave him the red ball so that the other brother could be there for his daughter, bringing him back. The Prestige. Look into Bale's eyes when he & Michael Caine head nod behind the little girl's back as he's hugging her. They both know the secret. That's the BEST reveal in a movie that totally goes unnoticed! The dialogue between Bale & Jackman at the end when he shot him, was partially an act to make it seem like he had escaped prison & declare victory, while he died. RE- WATCH all the ending moments and really pay attention to the body language and subtle clues. Both magicians died the same way as their wives in the end.
I really enjoyed watching this with you guys. The prestige is one of those thought provoking movies that make you question/reflect on certain things. I couldn't stop thinking about it even hours after I watched it for the first time! loved the movie AND the reaction ❤
I saw this for the first time last year. Since then, I've seen it around 10 more times, each with people who hadn't seen it before so I could live vicariously through their reactions. Glad I got to do it again! I consider this my personal favorite standalone movie of all time, as the LOTR trilogy is my all time favorite. Unbelievable movie.
This is Nolan’s best film and I’ve argued this might be like a top 3 movie all time if not #1… I was absolutely blown away when I saw it and it’s so fun to watch again so you can see the clues in plain sight! The line that starts the movie, “are you watching closely” is literally dialogue to us the audience telling us to pay attention because this movie is an actual magic trick! It’s a classic Nolan masterpiece!
After years of watching this over and over, I actually just realized the tragedy that YES they(Bale’s characters) both loved magic more than their partners and that mean that they both were cheating on their partners for Magic. In the end (due to the time this takes place) who actually knows the father of the little girl. They shared Father, Uncle and Butler to the little girl her entire life. EPIC.
I've watched this movie so many times, but I always discover new layers to it. The line Borden says to the boy after he first meets his wife, "The secret impresses no one; it's the trick you use it for that matters" is immediately followed by the first time we see him use the trick - to be back in her apartment after leaving it. He decided that she mattered to him, in that moment, and that this was the right use of his trick (even before he ever got around to performing it in front of a crowd).
Finally you guys reacting to my favourite movie of all time. So many perfect twist and turns.
Really Nolan at his finest!!
“ Are you watching … closely?”
So happy you reacted to this.
This movie in my opinion is Nolan's best and my favorite movie of all time
I read Christopher priests novel and it was pretty similar in certain aspects, but also very different in ways with some extra layers and characters. There’s a frame story set in the modern day before it fully delves into the journals and the past. But overall it was fairly similar in plot and themes of obsession, and equally amazing. I recommend. Great reaction btw
Both were living their act.
Lord Caldlow was playing Robert Angier who was playing The Great Danton.
The Twins, Albert & Freddie, were both playing a magician named Alfred Borden and his assistant Fallon.
The scene that reveals so much upon rewatches is the one about the magician and his fishbowl trick. Borden points out that the fishbowl isn't the true illuson; it's the way the magician lives his life, faking his slow, hunched over posture in order to trick his audience, when he's actually strong enough to carry the bowl under his robes. Borden notices this because that is what he's doing, living his illusion every moment. He's already living as one individual with his twin at that point, in preparation for the opportunities to perform the "Transported Man",
This is one of my favorite films of all time. I'm sad you clocked Fallon being Bale. I didn't at all and was GOOPED. I was so shocked. And the lingering horror of Danton's nightly choice to kill himself...haunting, truly. Plus the concept of the whole film being a magic trick ending in a Prestige...it's genius.
I had to take filler courses in college after completing all my courses for my accounting degree and one of the courses I chose was Film Appreciation. We watched plenty of movies throughout the year, but we had to watch 3 movies on our own and write a synopsis as well as how a film was directed and why the director took that approach. This was the first movie assigned to us. This movie gave me such a deeper understanding and appreciation for Nolan and similar directors who take such interesting approaches to film.
The first time I saw this, I figured out what was going to happen about 3/4 of the way through. Still didn't stop the full impact of seeing the ending. Just stunning.
YEEEESSSS one of my favorite movies! One of the BEST to watch reactions to
I love how meta this movie in Borden's explanation of the importance of the trick vs. the secret. The trick creates wonder and awe. Once you give the trick and the secret, they're done with you. The magic's gone. And that's kind of like this movie. You can rewatch a dozen times, and I have, and enjoy it for how well it was written, executed and the acting, but you'll never have that magic back again from the first time.
This movie never fails to impress me, no matter how many times I watch it. Chef's kiss!
This was always in my top 5 favorite films ever, really glad you guys watched this one.
This is one of my favorite films - another very rewatchable one. ❤
I always thought the rivalry involved one twin more than the other. The 'Alfred' that was hanged is the one that just wouldn't let it go, and got caught in the trap that Robert set.
Also, at the end, Cutter just wanted the little girl to be raised by her father, and he was unhappy that Robert went too far with the framing for murder and that he 'stole' Alfred's daughter. He knew there must have been a double Alfred the entire time, so he was fine with him taking her back.
This is my favorite Nolan movie if not my favorite movie of all time. So glad you all decided to do this one!
My favourite movie of all time. So glad to see you guys watching and loving it too!
I have read the book. It is quite different. It has been years, but from my memory :
The machine basically transformed the user into a ghost… permanently.
Most of the story was flashbacks with the character reading the diaries.
The details of Alfred were great! One twin was Frederick (the one hanged, angry and in love with Olivia) and one was Albert (good hearted, the father and loved Sarah). When they decided to “merge” they became Alfred.
This is my favorite movie, and you get so much after repeat watches. It is so good! Glad you guys loved it!
One of my all-time favorite movies! So glad you guys did this one
One of Nolen's sickest, and most epic movies...He did the damn thing👏🏽👏🏽🔥🔥🔥
my opinion: i think bale's twin characters... i think there is something beautiful in the depth of his commitment to his craft. to LIVE fully forever in secret. to live half. simple but very difficult. a huge sacrifice. on the other hand - it is betrayal for their ladies - to an unforgivable level. when she learned the truth she ended her life. how could he ever forgive himself.
and hugh.... he only lived and breathed for his obsession and by the end it ruined him too. both were only living for their work.
i love how in the beginning bale voice over "we were two people on a mission..." he was talking about his twin but we think he means hugh. it's just so good.
I always thought the wife didn't find out, she just hung herself because she thought he was lying to her and/or couldn't live with the inconsistency.
Regardless, I agree it's a huge betrayal for their relationships!
@@lisabelovedwell she clearly stated that “I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WHO YOU ARE” and then Alfred responds “DO YOU THINK LIKE LIVING LIKE THIS?!”
I’m sure Sarah figured out his secret; but damn Freddie was a stubborn bull and so Albert. They should have just confessed the truth to her. Spare her the pain of questioning her life every damn moment.
Ummm it’s really the twins that fucked angier up they made him crazy because of all their lives being a lie
This is a movie that is so captivating, it can keep your attention for so long. Showing all the breads crumbs and clues, and all of that without ever diminishing the drama. There was some comedy, some levity...but the mystery was always front and center.
A murder mystery between illusionists. One where nobody wins.
I saw this movie in theaters with a group of friends when we were teenagers. To say we were shook is an understatement. I'd never had so many conflicting emotions about a movie, because while I enjoyed it and thought it was incredibly well done, I was also deeply unsettled by the twist. It stuck with me so much, it was years before I could watch it again.
The virtuoso magician, Ricky Jay, was a consultant on the movie and also appears in cameo during the lady rope trick.
RIP Ricky Jay
Nolan’s best and the greatest rewatch movie ever. And it becomes so clear which brother is which at all times
Literally the first line in the film "Are you watching closely?". No. Nobody EVER is. That's why it's so genius
"You want to be... fooled."
Great reaction guys ! I agree I saw this movie when it first came out and I have recommended it to tons of people and every one always loves it. This movie transcends genres, it is not scifi it is not comic book. Everyone and anyone can watch this movie and LOVE IT! That is what makes it great!
My favourite film of all-time !
Thanks for this awesome reaction, lads!
This is definitely up there with the best Nolan movies.
I'm not a huge fan of DUNKIRK or OPPENHEIMER, but I absolutely love BATMAN BEGINS, THE DARK KNIGHT, MEMENTO and TENNET. Always great news when this man has a new movie out.
Wow you guys are real quick to pick up on Fallon! I didn't notice anything until it was revealed at the end. Kudos Diamond Dave!
They watched before.
A genuinely perfect movie, and a timeless masterpiece.
I seen this in theaters not knowing anything. Just went on a whim and it blew my mind
Nolan is a genius.
For real. I believed it when I saw Batman Begins, and this movie solidified it for me.
One of my favorite movies of all time. You can watch it over and over and it never gets boring
The only way that I can see that this movie had been "underrated" might be because a lot of folks never really caught on to what actually happened, thus leaving them baffled of the sheer brilliance of the movie plot.
Damn, would've loved to see the Oak's reaction to this. Ya'll did great picking up on small things, I wonder how much more Oak would have noticed!
I saw this in the theater and it is one of my favorite films. glad you guys watched it and enjoyed it!
The coin that Borden flips to show Sarah’s nephew the magic trick is the same coin Harvey Dent flips in The Dark Knight.
One of my favourite movies of all time its just so captivating the whole way through
Mason is correct. As soon as the credits rolled in the theater, I said out loud that this was Nolan's Masterpiece. As good as all his other work is, nothing, NOTHING, has come close. It's perfect storytelling.
Interstellar is my favorite Nolan movie and this is my 2nd favorite.
Very well done all of you on picking up on details on first watch when many of them aren’t picked up until other viewings. Like not knowing what knot he tied because it was the twin who did it.
Fabulous reaction and great work picking stuff up
Every time y'all release a video of something I've seen, it makes my day. When it's a movie as wonderful and special as this, it makes my month! keep it up guys, we REALLY appreciate it!
i love this movie! i first saw it when i was like 13 and laying on the couch sick as hell from the flu or something. i genuinely had no idea what it was going to be about or who was in it but i left it on the TV (it was playing on TNT) anyway and i was SO surprised with how good it was and how much i liked it. Nolan does such a good job is distracting the audience with everything that's going on, he's the ultimate magician here.
Repo Men (2010) played right after so i always associate the two movies with one another lol
It's one of those thought provoking movies that make you question/reflect on certain things. I couldn't stop thinking about the movie after watching it for the first time. Loved the movie AND the reaction ❤
phenomenal film. Go back and watch the beginning... All the clues are there... and the delivery is perfect.
I would definitely argue this was Nolan's peak, the movie is just pure brilliance :)