Magic (1978) movie review - Sneak Previews with Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel

[@KevinR1138]

Thank you for posting these, it’s like I’m ten years old again. Regarding Magic, when I was younger and saw it I was disappointed for exactly the same reasons that Roger listed, but as I grew older and matured I began to see the film as Gene does here and I now think it’s an absolutely brilliant depiction of a hopelessly, tragically damaged person.

[@robcochran6213]

Agreed

[@johndalton3180]

Yup. A truly mature movie, best understood after you've lived a little.

[@CaminoAir]

It's like stumbling upon buried treasure. Many thanks for making these available to us.

[@TobeyStarburst]

So true.

[@jspaingreene6350]

I just remember the ads for Magic scaring me when I was a kid...

[@ShaunHensley]

Same. Now I want to see it

[@donnamiller5222]

Scared me too

[@madahad9]

Anthony Hopkins was terrified of Fats too. I wouldn't want it in my house. The scene where Corky tries to shut up for five minutes is the best in the film.

[@jackiescanlon]

Excellent Jerry Goldsmith score!

[@43nostromo]

As usual.

[@DyenamicFilms]

I agree. The cue at 1:15 is actually my favorite. You just don't hear scores like that anymore.

[@steveprice2718]

My God, I'm loving it!!! My younger years in front of me. Bless you for taking me back to fourteen again

[@steveleeart]

Watched this movie last year when I was in the hospital, and loved Hopkins’ performance. Powerful.

[@markdaniels7174]

Terrified me as a kid. I didn’t understand Hopkins’s mental illness; I thought the dummy had really come to life and did the killings. Great movie, great actors. I’m with Gene.

[@benjaminrodriguez7356]

God! You hit the nail right on the head! I had thought the same way, when I was a kid.

[@CaminoAir]

There is a moment in the film (towards the end) when Corky puts Fats on a sofa and Fats' head moves a bit, without Corky controlling him. This was apparently something which just happened during filming and it was left in the film. Unfortunately, it clouds whether Corky is really mentally ill (which the film has maintained all along), or if there is more to it than that.

[@vicrattlehead5051]

​@@CaminoAir I kind of like that it leaves you questioning if there's something more. It makes fats creepier along with how creepy he already looks 😂 but it being about mental illness does hit harder when you realize corky is literally conversing with himself. Especially in the scene "get the postman!" Hopkins being able to make fats assertive and screaming while he himself plays a nervous and breaking down corky is incredible

[@jimmyl324]

One of my favorite movies of all. Saw it in the movie theater in 1978.

[@luisvaldes1568]

I can't believe its over 40 years.

[@chrismineo1788]

I'm almost 56 now, saw it at he loews oriental with my late dad. dug it

[@bobthebear1246]

Now 46 years.

[@cpzman5946]

I agree with Gene on this one. Magic was a great movie and Anthony Hopkins did all the ventriloquism work himself.

[@Michael-bl4no]

Incorrect. He had a professional ventriloquist assisting him. Hopkins did a fantastic job but he had help...check out the special features on the Blu Ray - “Fats and Friends.”

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

@@Michael-bl4no Agreed. There's a documentary about it. The movie isn't nearly as scary as the commercial.

[@DyenamicFilms]

@@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE Maybe not scary (neither is The Exorcist), but it certainly is creepy, atmospheric and moody which, to me, is important for a horror/thriller.

[@JRRLewis]

​@@Michael-bl4no All the ventriloquism on camera was done by Hopkins. He was trained by the man in the special feature, but everything that Fats says came from Hopkins and most of that was done at the time like a normal ventriloquist act, not latter dubbed in. You can see the director Richard Attenborough explaining this in an interview with Bobbie Wygant: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpCslJ2uftGLa9U&t

[@1969atiq]

​@@DyenamicFilmsagreed 100%

[@seventhfirestephanie8740]

Cool coincidence. In Rocky 2, Rocky runs pass a movie marquee that's showing "Magic" also starring Burgess Meredith.

[@freedo333]

Anyone around the age of 50 will remember how terrifying the tv commercial was. The networks pulled it off the air because of all the complaints by parents of freaked out 10 year olds :)

[@homelesshannah50]

It got pulled in New York

[@2Chickaboom2]

That would be me. I was 12 or 13 at the time. a year or two later my older cousin wanted to watch it with me on cable. it scared the crap out of me. Watched it later in life and still scary but a great film.

[@joeblough261]

I was a little kid and in the early 80's, WGN had it as the movie of the week a couple of times. And every time they'd play the promo for it in between commercials, I just remember the dummy turning his head toward the camera against a black background, and it freaked me the hell out. It wasn't really a trailer, rather a quick spot advertising the movie. I wish so bad I could find it on here. I still have never seen the movie but I think I'll watch it today.

[@freedo333]

@@joeblough261 is this what your lookin for? kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYqUoJili6mSsKs

[@johndalton3180]

I would run and hide behind the couch and cover my ears when that ad came on. They'd run it during Brady Bunch reruns at 4pm on channel 5 (New York)

[@xtradelite903]

The fact it has a supernatural feel, yet firmly grounded in reality gives it entertaining value. Kudos to the filmmakers/crew/staff.

[@pamelam1469]

If Siskel liked the film, so did l. Our opinions were very similar. R.l.P. Gene. Btw, MAGIC is still a great film!

[@Michael-bl4no]

Magic is a great film! All star cast and Ann Margaret is delightful! The trailer for this movie scared the hell out of me as a kid! It’s not really a horror film, but more a psychological drama with horror elements. Highly recommended!

[@cannibalaaron1222]

Don't know why these have turned up in my recommendations but I am loving every minute.was explaining to my nephew before you tube this is how you got previews

[@43nostromo]

Why do they NEVER mention legendary composer Jerry Goldsmith in any of their reviews? He was the glue that held together every movie, good or bad, of his entire career. Magic was no different.

[@DyenamicFilms]

I consider Magic to be one of the best horror/thriller scores of all time. His scores take most movies to a different level for sure.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

@@DyenamicFilms Goldsmith once said that if he hired a composer for a film, he would pick John Barry.

[@DyenamicFilms]

@@ricardocantoral7672 I'm a John Barry fan as well.

[@TheJayrockerr]

43nostromo-I agree. Plus his scores always sounded different, for each film.

[@steveleeart]

I think they did when they reviewed some of the Star Trek films.

[@myfriendisaac]

BRILLIANT FILM! Can’t say there was a single thing I didn’t like about it 🎬🍿

[@calebcostigan2561]

I like that it didn’t have a supernatural ending. I like Rogers opinions more usually but Siskel wins here. I love that he put it on his “Best of 1978” list.

[@RandomDudeFromSomewhere]

I used to catch ads for this on HBO as a kid and it always terrified me.

[@bobthebear1246]

I'm really surprised that Roger Ebert, my favorite critic of all-time, really missed the point with this one. A point, by the way, that Gene Siskel easily gets. If there had something supernatural that popped up as a plot twist, it would have rendered everything that came before it null and moot. The horror in this film is KNOWING that Corky is psychotic, that while technically he controls Fats, Fats actually comtrols HIM. The only way this film works is the way it was written: As a straight-up psychological horror film. And it works marvelously on that level. I agree: _Magic_ is one of the best films of 1978.

[@daffyphack]

I tend to agree to a point with Roger. The problem is that the "5 minutes" scene is by far the movie's high point, and it never quite rises up to that level again.

[@MrHootiedean]

I just watched Magic on HBO Max and it was awesome! For me Ann Margaret gave the best performance. I've never paid attention to her in the past but she blew me away.

[@jackiescanlon]

Thanks so much for these S and E vids! I love this movie!

[@derekp308]

The trailer creeped me out when I saw it on TV. Years later I rented the DVD from a mon and pop video store (remember those?) I used to frequent. A pretty good movie, and yes, there is something scary about dummies.

[@ItWILLbeWONDERFUL_THERE]

That commercial still scares me.

[@black_rabbit_0f_inle805]

I think its the imitation of life. Like the uncanny valley

[@CuzCutz]

Hopkins was creepy as hell! Burgess Meredith totally nailed that agent role! And lines like these:“Now listen you shmuck! I want you to answer one question... Why do you think I blew the whistle?” And “You want it a hundred times worse and a hundred days long?” And many more, made this film classic!

[@sha11235]

Meredith was doing Mickey again here.

[@bluerock-rt6lr]

Cannot thank You enough for posting this!

[@ricardocantoral7672]

A deliberate supernatural twist would have been boring but I admit that teasing the audience with that possibility would have been a good idea.

[@DyenamicFilms]

Well, there's that part where Fats is blinking by himself after Corky puts him down and walks away. I believe it was a mistake left in.

[@1969atiq]

​@@DyenamicFilmspersonally I think it's to show that Corky is so far gone, that even he himself is starting to believe that Fats is alive.

[@robf6105]

A brilliant movie. A great and effective score. Ann- Margret was smoking hot, with a very good performance. Anthony Hopkins was amazing. His ventriloquism is the best that I've ever seen. Great direction by Richard Attenborough. Still entertaining, all these years later.

[@tomjones2348]

Interesting. I've been watching this film since it came out, but never looked at any reviews of it. That never mattered to me. The film is flawed, but it's got some spine tingling scenes. Well cast, good directing and production, good script, and superb effects. I have the anniversary edition including the "making off" which is fascinating. It was tough for Hopkins. Margaret and Meredith brought their A games just like they usually do. I like the film and usually watch it once a year.

[@williamhicks7736]

Very interesting... never heard of this film... until today... Found myself wanting to respond on Anthony Hopkins behalf when Burgess Meredith says, “You ain’t got not control!” “Sorry Mick!” LOL!

[@phrasedeyebrow2083]

I remember this intro. PBS was engaging

[@billscannell93]

Siskel is right about this one. It would have been a mistake to bring in something supernatural. (I don't know if it is quite as good as "Rosemary's Baby," but it is still a classic. Far, far better than "The Beaver," about Mel Gibson being controlled by a puppet.)

[@JaneDoe-zr4px]

long ass clips, I love it

[@DyenamicFilms]

This is cool as I've never seen this review. I think I started watching Sneak Previews around 1980 or so. I remember seeing the ad for this movie on TV with Fats. If it aired once as legend says, I guess I was lucky to see it. It made me want to see the movie and I did. I was too young to see R rated movies, but I got my parent's permission. Magic holds the distinction of being the first R rated movie I saw in the theater.

[@waynedoyle5584]

truely one of greatest movies dealing with mental illness....hopkins is true and heartbreaking as he slowly succumbs to the horrible disease, unlike other movies dealing with the subject where there predictabliy evil monsters , this shows a good person destoryed by the demons inside his head which is true 9 / 10 times if the truth is told ....overlooked movie

[@Mdebacle]

This is like having a President who can't stop tweeting.

[@ZobethC]

As a child I thought the dummy was possessed as well as manipulated by Anthony’s character. I always thought this movie was supernatural.

[@civilizedsatyr]

The TV commercial was way scarier than the movie.

[@mariebee3146]

Lots of people here are saying that. I don't remember it. See if I can find it on KZbin.

[@homelesshannah50]

@@mariebee3146 It is on KZbin but damn if I watch it full screen

[@1969atiq]

​@@homelesshannah50all commercials WERE full screen. As were all TV screens back then. LOL.

[@uhdudewhy7980]

I totally forgot about this movie until now. Gonna check it out.

[@jackiescanlon]

My vote is "Yes"

[@davekrause9619]

I NEVER liked or agreed with any reviews from Ebert. This movie is a Masterpiece.

[@JRRLewis]

Great clip from great film critics. At least they both agreed on the quality of Hopkins' acting. There's a great interview up between Magic's director Richard Attenborough and Bobbie Wygant where Attenborough discusses the film and especially all that Hopkins' did to prepare for the part, learning magic tricks, doing the ventriloquism for Fats himself (and most of it done at the time of filming and not added later as a voice over), etc: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpCslJ2uftGLa9U

[@teejaye6226]

It's established, Ebert is consistent and that's why these guys were so great! He gave 'Fatal Attraction' a thumbs down because he felt the ending sucked as well.

[@egglady]

While he’s wrong about Magic, he was 100% right about the end of Fatal Attraction. That Friday the 13th style ending did not fit with the rest of the film. Sure, it’s a crowd pleaser. But the original, more subtle ending was much better.

[@1969atiq]

​@@eggladyspot on.

[@NoLanConnection]

Great Anthony Hopkins performance.

[@francisphillips53]

Anthony Hopkins is an Awesome actor.

[@mariebee3146]

Thought this movie was super creepy when I was a kid

[@sonnyblack0870]

I just watched it for the first time. I liked it, but I don’t think it deserves the type of praise Gene gave it.

[@gallery7596]

The Michael Redgrave ventriloquist sequence in 1945's "Dead Of Night" was certainly a forerunner to "Magic." The tv spot they used to advertise it is one of the best I've ever seen, but I remember being a bit underwhelmed by the movie. Hopkins doesn't seem completely convincing as an American either. It's a good looking film with fine music, but "Magic" is kind of an uneven experience to sit through.

[@Allison_Wonderland.]

One of the few movies that I liked better than the book. This one's a keeper. Trivia bit -- TPTB wanted Jack Nicholson in the Hopkins role, but Jack turned it down because they wanted him to wear a toupee! 😁

[@mikegarrens5286]

I love this intro clever.

[@efan2012]

Ebert like usual gets the movie wrong.. how would the supernatural help the movie? That's just dumb. The movie worked perfect without any supernatural parts in it. i mean it has a moment or two where the dummy moved out of nowhere but that was more due to odd luck behind the scenes than anything . Magic's a very good movie and extremely underrated. One of Anthony's best and more forgotten performances. Breaks my heart every time I watch it.. shame he didn't get an Oscar nom for it honestly. That music by Goldsmith's haunted my head ever since watching it, one of his best scores as well.

[@JRRLewis]

The Oscars may have ignored him for Magic, but Anthony Hopkins did get Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for this role.

[@martinsorenson1055]

Keep in mind, Ebert was a frustrated screenwriter. He wanted to "fix" so many movies all the time.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

​@@martinsorenson1055 I felt that way about Gene more than Roger. As a matter of fact, I would have loved to have seen a movie with a script written by Gene.

[@christianlink7287]

My sisters and I were up Till 11 o clock 1978 when they put the commercial on with the Dummy Doing the Abra cadabra magic is Fun now were Dead. Well I was 8 my 2 sisters are older We Turned off that T.V. And Ran up those Steps!!! Great movie And Great Memories😂🤣

[@davidkopec9442]

These trailers scared the hell out of me when I was a kid. I honestly thought the dummy WAS supernatural. Maybe if I knew Hopkins was just a nut job I would have watched it...

[@curleed85]

I wonder if this movie inspired the Batman villain Scarface. Or “Night of the Living Dummy.”

[@rickdff62]

I had this movie all wrong, I thought Fats was the ventriloquist and Corky was the dummy.

[@onlynameMrBlank]

Gabbo! Gabbo! Gabbo!!!

[@thielees]

Somehow they’re both right. This film is far from flawless (Ann-Margret is cringeworthy throughout), but this is super original material that deserves a place in the pantheon of 1970s horror. Definitely underrated.

[@josephbryson4491]

siskel is right on this one

[@rubenreyna2198]

wow. Spoiler alert certainly didnt exist back then. Gave away the plot, some twists that wouldve been a nice surprise in the storyline.

[@babybird871]

Ebert talks about how "Magic lacks a supernatural edge or twist...the ending Ann Margaret starts talking like "Fats" to me that was a hint maybe he was possessed..

[@ricardocantoral7672]

*SPOILER* That's not true because just before he "dies", Fats, more or less, states that he was merely an extension of Corky.

[@parapoliticos52]

Burgess Meredith had the capacity to move from effeminate to masculine with no effort. Watch him in Burnt Offerings for instance.

[@martinsorenson1055]

Yeah, I don't think people truly appreciate his range. His performances all through the 70's were an amazing mixed bag of characters.

[@brunosabbatini1926]

People that think FATS is creepy are the same wimps that tell me The Exorcist is terrifying. Just wimps.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

Some of us are intelligent enough to know what's terrifying. Stanley Kubrick called The Vanishing the most terrifying film he ever watched. I am sure you would dismiss it because it's not a gore fest.

[@steveleeart]

My goodness… movies were cheap 40 years ago!

[@edreid7872]

The Magic storyline has been done so many times on those tv supernatural shows like The Twilight zone and Outer limits..long before the movie.

[@markdaniels7174]

Ed Reid Yes, but in those cases the dummy had come to life through supernatural means; this is about a schizo guy who THINKS his dummy is alive, and feels he can’t live without him.

[@edreid7872]

Mark Daniel..Not always, I was watching some obscure tv show from the '50's with the exact plot from Magic....they generally switch it up a bit, but I've seen the schizo plot several times....

[@AngstG]

@@markdaniels7174 well I think they left a few clues in there leaving it up to the viewer to decide if just schitzo or supernatural, esp the last spoken line in the movie by Ann Margaret - her voice & demeanor changes indicating she may have been possessed by the puppet..

[@francisphillips53]

NOTHING.. scarier than the exorcist. NOTHING

[@bradlafferty6076]

What a creepy doll

[@maskedmarvyl4774]

Fats will kill Roger for that...... "Hey, Fats! Who ya callin' predictable??"

[@dizbang3073]

this pic creeps me out

[@mikesilva3868]

👍😊🌝

[@stevend.bennett427]

Magic was a poor rip-off of the Twilight Zone episode, The Dummy, written by Rod Serling and starring Cliff Robertson.

[@kdohertygizbur]

Which itself was a ripoff of the Movie Dead of Night

[@ricardocantoral7672]

@@kdohertygizbur The Great Gabbo is where it all started.

[@chrismineo1788]

A little girl and a wooden doll.

[@martinsorenson1055]

Which had a final shot that terrified me as a kid. "The ol' switcheroo."

[@gmar7836]

It’s creepy!

[@garyrossetti2443]

That was a scary looking dummy oops probably get the PC Police mad for saying dummy how about hand puppet.

[@MisfitsFiendClub138]

Magic is a seriously OVERRATED movie. Excellent actors, really empty plot, stagnant pace.

[@ricardocantoral7672]

I wouldn't call it the most compelling cinema I have seen but it holds my interest.

[@morgan8757]

ann margaret was the only reason this movie interested me

[@garydeblasio8810]

Mr Hopkins is by and large a wonderful actor, but this is one of his rare atrocious performances.