Pulling New Rabbits out of Old Hats: Modernity, Disenchantment, and Neo-Victorian Magic Films

The essay explores the revival of Victorian stage magic in two recent films, N. Burger's 'The Illusionist' (2006) and C. Nolan's 'The Prestige' (2006). In reconstructing the role of magic shows in the formation of modernity, I argue that 19th century illusionism and conjuring technologies played a double role in the (dis)enchantment of modernity. On the one hand, they paved the way for the modern age of simulacra, CGI and virtual reality; on the other they elicited skeptical reactions from the audience, thus contributing to the emergence of modern disenchanted subjects.