ThePrestigeisa2006mysterythrillerfilmdirectedbyChristopherNolan,withascreenplayadaptedfromChristopherPriest's1995WorldFantasyAward-winningnovelofthesamename.ThestoryfollowsRobertAngierandAlfredBorden,rivalstagemagiciansinLondonatthebeginningofthe20thcentury.Obsessedwithcreatingthebeststageillusion,theyengageincompetitiveone-upmanshipwithtragicresults.
ThefilmfeaturesHughJackmanasRobertAngier,ChristianBaleasAlfredBorden,andDavidBowieasNikolaTesla.ItalsostarsMichaelCaine,ScarlettJohansson,PiperPerabo,AndySerkis,andRebeccaHall.ThefilmreunitesNolanwithactorsBaleandCainefromBatmanBegins,andreturningcinematographerWallyPfister,productiondesignerNathanCrowley,filmscorecomposerDavidJulyan,andeditorLeeSmith.
Priest'sepistolarynovelwasadaptedtothescreenbyNolanandhisbrother,JonathanNolan,usingNolan'sdistinctivenonlinearnarrativestructure.Themesofduality,obsession,sacrifice,andsecrecypervadetheconflict.ThefilmwasreleasedonOctober20,2006,receivinggoodreviewsandstrongboxofficeresults,andobtainedAcademyAwardnominationsforBestCinematographyandBestArtDirection.AlongwithTheIllusionistandScoop,ThePrestigewasoneofthreefilmsin2006toexploretheworldofstagemagicians.
