The Illusionist: DVD Review

The Illusionist: DVD Review

Rating: G
Released by Madman Home Entertainment

From the same people who made The Triplets of Belleville, this beautifully animated tale is the story of a fading magician who leaves the French music halls to head to England for some more work.

He ends up in Scotland where he charms the daughter of an innkeeper and she promptly follows him to Edinburgh.

It's not sordid though - it's a thoroughly charming story about friendship and growing up; but there's also a sadness about it which left a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye at the end as both grow up in ways they couldn't imagine.

The hand drawn animation is truly gorgeous; the majority of the film is dialogue free but packed with humour in ways you'd never expect - and the whole thing ends up feeling like a magical window into a more innocent world of the past.

There's also the idea that the magician is losing his place in a world which is embracing rock'n'roll rather than music hall variety- it's sad, strong stuff but wondrous to look at; a great emotive film which all ages will love.

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