Original subtitles

[gentle music]

[sign clattering]

[somber music]

[dramatic orchestral music]

[flames fluttering]

[crowd murmuring]

[eerie music]

- [gasps] It's her!

I know it's her!

She wants to tell

us something! - Everyone get out.

- We must do something! - Sit down!

- [Woman] Please! - We must help her!

- Wait.

- [Officer] To the front.

- [Officer] Step out.

[crowd chattering]

- In the name of His Imperial Majesty

and the city of Vienna,

I hereby arrest Eduard Abramovicz

[crowd shouting]

also known as Eisenheim the Illusionist

on charges of disturbing public order,

charlatanism, and threats against the empire!

- [Woman] Leave him alone!

[audience shouting]

- They're arresting him!

They're arresting Eisenheim!

- [Officer] Stay back, stay back!

[men shouting]

[ominous music]

- Chief Inspector Uhl.

- You're late.

- My apologies, Your Highness.

I was attending to the loose ends of the case.

- Are there still loose ends?

- Very few.

- Did he do it again?

How does he do it?

- [Walter] I'm afraid I still don't know.

- Did you ask him?

- He's not talking at this point.

- Well, I'm sure you have methods

for that kind of thing.

I want you to put an end to it.

Surely you have something on him.

Something from his past?

- Yes.

Yes, I think I do.

[gentle music]

[light tapping]

In fact, we know all about his life.

We've spoken to almost everyone who ever knew him.

As a boy, I'm told he had a chance encounter

with a traveling magician.

- [Magician] Boy.

[birds chirping]

[lighthearted music]

- [Walter] One version of the story

was that the man himself then vanished

along with the tree.

Who knows what actually happened?

[gentle music]

[moving to dramatic music]

People began to think he had

some kind of special power

or at least that he was a bit different.

And then he met her.

[gentle romantic music] [horse hooves clomping]

- [Boy] Don't drop it.

- [Boy] Careful, you're going to trip.

- [Boy] Drop it, you muck snipe.

- [Boy] Oh, watch out for that hole, alley rat!

- Drop it!

- [Boy] Come on.

[boys chuckling]

[horse whinnying]

- [Eisenheim] Pick a card.

Put it back in the deck.

Now, watch.

[mysterious music]

[door clattering]

- [Woman] Duchess von Teschen,

you can't be in a place like this.

They're peasants.

Remember who you are.

[somber music]

[horse hooves clomping]

- [Walter] She was brought back to the castle

and they were forbidden to see each other.

But soon, they were doing just that.

Over the next few years, [gentle music]

they could always find a way to be together.

- [Eisenheim] Quick, come on.

[both chuckling]

[door creaking]

In China there's a magician

that could make anything disappear,

a house, a wagon, anything.

- We'll go visit him.

They can't stop us if we want to be together.

- They'll never find us.

- Do you promise you'll take me with you?

- One day I will.

- One day we'll run away together.

We'll disappear.

[gentle music]

[birds chirping]

- There's a secret way to open it.

- I wanted a picture.

- Sophie, are you there?

[Sophie panting]

- We must hurry! [somber music]

They're coming!

- [Man] Duchess von Teschen!

[door creaking]

Duchess von Teschen!

- [Man] Duchess von Teschen!

- [Man] Duchess von Teschen!

- Make us disappear.

Make us disappear.

- [Man] Duchess von Teschen!

Stop, stop.

Go in.

[door creaking]

- Don't do this. - Boy he is now.

- No! - Let go!

- Here we put her. - Let me go.

- [Man] What do you think you're doing, boy?

- [Sophie] Let go!

- [Man] Your father is waiting for you.

- Let go of me! - No!

- [Man] Stay back!

- Eduard! - Please!

Just let go!

- No!

- Let me go! - Let her go, please!

- [Sophie] Let go!

Stop it!

- Sophie!

- Eduard!

- Sophie! - Eduard!

- Sophie.

[grunts]

- [Man] Stay away from her, or next time

we'll arrest you and your family.

[somber music]

- [Walter] What happened next remains a mystery.

We do know that he traveled the world,

that he began to perform his magic in public,

that he changed his name to Eisenheim.

And then almost 15 years later, he appeared in Vienna.

[crowd chattering]

- Life and death, space and time,

fate and chance.

These are the forces of the universe.

Tonight, ladies and gentleman,

I present to you a man who has unlocked these mysteries.

From the furthest corners of the world

where the dark arts still hold sway,

he returns to us to demonstrate

how nature's laws may be bent.

I give you Eisenheim.

[audience applauding]

[crowd gasps] [birds cawing]

- Might I borrow a handkerchief from someone?

- [Woman] Here, here.

- You, madam.

Thank you.

Ah, be patient.

Now, if you please.

I would like to continue with an examination of time.

From the moment we enter this life,

we are in the flow of it.

We measure it and we mark it,

but we cannot defy it.

We cannot even speed it up or slow it down.

Or can we?

Have we not each experienced the sensation

that a beautiful moment seemed to pass too quickly

and wished that we could make it linger?

[crowd gasps]

Or felt time slow on a dull day

and wished that we could speed things up a bit?

- [Man In Audience] And, now.

[gentle music]

[audience murmuring]

[moving to dramatic music]

[audience applauding]

I assure you, they're quite real.

- [Man] Is it real?

Let's see.

- And you, madam, where is your handkerchief?

[crowd murmuring]

[crowd gasps]

[audience applauding]

- [Crowd] Bravo, bravo, bravo!

- Bravo!

Very good.

- [Boy] Give us something, please.

Please, give us something.

Please.

- What's all this?

- We're poor.

- [Eisenheim] Do you think you're poor?

- Yes.

- Going to show you something.

You're not poor.

You have everything that you need right here.

- Thank you.

- Thank you.

- [Boy] Thank you.

- [Eisenheim] And that's yours.

And this too.

[coins clanking]

[boys squealing]

- [Boy] I've got the magic one!

- [Eisenheim] Good morning.

- Good morning.

Coffee?

- [Eisenheim] No.

- Strudel?

I have two.

- Nothing, thank you.

You look very pleased with yourself.

How are the receipts?

- Not bad.

A three-quarter house.

- [Eisenheim] Well done.

- But we're going to do better than that.

Listen to this.

Listen.

There is no argument that his uncanny displays

separate him from the ranks of garden-variety stage wizards.

Some of his effects transcend mere illusion

and approach the realm of art.

He is very young to be so masterful.

Do you see?

We'll pack the house with this review.

We are going to make more money than you ever dreamed of.

- [Jurka] But if it was mechanical.

Maybe he had it wrapped in some kind of bark?

- Oh, I know, of course I thought of that.

It's the butterflies I'm trying to work out.

- Oh, for Pete's sake.

Invisible wire.

- No, too obvious.

How many men have you detailed for tonight?

We have eight men inside, another eight out front.

Perhaps you'll get another look at your butterflies.

- Mmm.

- [Jurka] All these.

- [Officer] Check the last 10 rows there.

Of corner.

- Ah.

[Eisenheim mumbles]

- You! [light tapping]

Don't touch that!

- Ah, Herr Eisenheim. - Put that down!

- Who are you and what do you think you're doing?

- I'm Chief Inspector Walter Uhl

and I'm inspecting your theater.

I've seen you perform.

It was very impressive.

Very impressive.

- How can we help you, Inspector?

- You will be honored to know the crown prince

plans to attend your performance tonight.

- The crown prince?

- Yes!

So, obviously we have to inspect the theater.

- I think that one's small for an assassin, don't you?

- [chuckles] Yes, the orange tree.

I have seen things like this before

but never one like that.

Extraordinary.

- Thank you.

- I have been puzzling over how it works

especially how the butterflies fly.

I assure you, your secret is safe with me.

I'm an officer of the law after all,

and a bit of an amateur conjurer.

- Are you really?

- Yes.

Well, card tricks, coins,

uh, sleight of hand, yes.

- [Eisenheim] Mmm.

- But nothing fancy.

Perhaps you'll give me a tip.

- Yes, all right.

I'll show you one I'm very fond of.

Are you a gambling man?

- On occasion, yes.

- I will bet you the secret of the orange tree

that I can guess which hand you place this in every time.

- Excellent.

- Put it in your fist.

Raise your hand against your forehead

concentrate on it, form a mental picture.

- Yes.

- Have you got it?

- Yes.

- Put your hands in front of you.

It's in your left.

- Well--

- A lucky guess, perhaps.

- You have a confederate who signals you.

- No.

It's more primitive than that.

- Uh huh.

- When you raise your hand to your head,

the blood drains from it.

It will be paler every time.

- Oh, oh, I like that very much.

- Please take it with my compliments.

- Why, thank you.

Eh, the blood drains.

- Now, Inspector, [Walter chuckles]

if you don't mind,

I've got to prepare for tonight's performance.

- Ah.

[chuckles]

[crowd chattering]

- [Announcer] Please stand

for His Imperial Highness Crown Prince Leopold.

[audience applauding]

[crowd gasping]

[audience applauding]

- I thought we might end this evening

with a discussion of the soul.

All of the greatest religions

speak of the soul's endurance beyond the end of life.

So, what then does it mean to die?

I need a volunteer from the audience.

Someone not afraid of death.

[audience chuckles]

Please, someone?

I assure you, no tragedy will befall you.

[man in balcony mumbles]

[audience murmurs]

[audience chattering]

- It's an honor, Duchess von Teschen.

[somber music]

- Do you know me?

- No.

- You're quite certain that we've never met before?

- Yes, of course.

[tense music]

- Now please gaze directly into my eyes.

Look nowhere else.

[audience murmuring]

Wave to yourself.

[man chuckles]

Turn in a circle.

Now bow to yourself.

[crowd laughing]

[crowd gasping]

- [Audience] Oh!

[woman screams]

[audience chattering]

- [Man In Audience] I don't see her.

[tense music]

Away.

[crowd gasps]

[gentle music]

[audience applauding]

- ÷{Audience] Bravo!

Bravo!

[somber music]

[crowd chattering]

- They must have liked you.

They've waited for you nearly five minutes.

Your Highness, may I introduce Eisenheim the Illusionist?

[crowd applauding]

- Well done.

- Thank you for coming.

I hope you enjoyed it.

- Oh, we more than enjoyed it.

Stimulated great debate amongst us, hasn't it?

Except of course for your assistant, Duchess von Teschen.

You seemed to have struck her quite speechless.

A feat in itself.

Did you hypnotize her?

- In a fashion.

- I'd like to learn that trick.

[men laughing]

- Rainier here thinks you have supernatural powers.

Do you claim supernatural powers?

- I've never said anything of that kind.

- Then you won't mind a question or two.

- Now, let's not ruin it.

- [Leopold] You needn't divulge anything I can't guess.

- As you wish.

- Your assistants are behind the mirror

somewhere in robes obviously.

With lights in the frame perhaps to illuminate them,

or angled mirrors?

- That would be one way to do it.

- I think I understand it all except the ghost.

That was very, very good.

- Another viewing perhaps?

- You must come to the Hofburg next time.

We'll make an evening of it.

- That will be my pleasure.

- So be it.

Sophie?

[crowd chattering]

And we'll gather our best minds next time.

You'll really have a challenge then.

- Then I'll prepare something special.

Perhaps I'll make you disappear.

[tense music]

[horse hooves clomping]

- My God, when he volunteered her

I heard the crashing sound of money falling on me in piles.

Every lady of means in Vienna

will want to get up there with you now.

- Mmm.

- What a show-off.

His father would have died if he'd seen such a display.

- She didn't seem too happy about it either.

- Well, she'd better get used to it.

- How's that?

- Word is she'll marry him soon.

- Really?

- Taking her chances if you ask me.

- Why?

- He likes to give his lady friends

a good thrashing now and again.

People say he pushed one of them off a balcony

just to cover the beating he'd given her.

[gentle music]

- [Messenger] For Herr Eisenheim.

[horse hooves clomping]

- Hello, Sophie.

[people chattering]

- When I was on the stage,

you knew me right away.

- It took me a moment

but, yes, I knew.

- Could have said something.

- I thought you'd figure it out eventually.

- Yes, I would have.

I would have come another night, volunteered

walked right on stage and said, hello

and then you'd really have had to move quickly.

- I suspect you would have.

- I don't understand why.

- Perhaps for the same reasons

you find it prudent to meet in a carriage.

- It's just a game I have to play with them.

I'm followed everywhere.

It's, it's supposed to be for my protection.

- Yes.

So, I hear congratulations are in order.

- [Sophie] What for?

- They say you'll be the princess.

- It's not decided at all.

- Ah.

- It makes a certain sense, I suppose.

We've known each other for years,

and of course, our families.

He's very intelligent.

A little too intelligent for his own good.

You're lucky, you know,

to have broken free as you did.

I often wish that I had...

- Wished what?

[gentle music]

- Wished that I would see you again.

- And now you have.

- Yes, now I have.

- I look forward to seeing you again at the Hofburg.

- Until then.

- Here's the report on Duchess von Teschen.

- Mmm.

Anything interesting?

- [Jurka] See for yourself.

[Walter clears throat]

- The magician?

- [Jurka] They drove around for half an hour,

then he got out near the theater.

What do you want us to do?

[bell ringing]

Join us for a drink?

- Please.

You like something to eat, something to drink, hmm?

- No, thank you.

- Herr Eisenheim,

I'm going to ask you a question

that may not seem friendly

but I assure you, in fact, is.

[clears throat]

What is your relationship

with the Duchess von Teschen?

- You're right, that doesn't seem friendly.

- Oh, but that is precisely my point.

For, you see, where others might judge

a discreet carriage ride

for what it seemed to be

I am willing to find out what it actually was.

- All right.

We were childhood acquaintances.

- Acquaintances?

- Childhood friends.

My father was a cabinetmaker.

He made the furniture for her family's house.

[chuckles]

- I see, the cabinetmaker's son friends with a--

- Has there been a complaint?

- Oh, no, no.

If there'd been a complaint,

well, we'd be having a very,

uh, different sort of conversation.

- Yes.

He relies on you for that sort of thing, does he?

- I'm a simple public servant, Herr Eisenheim.

- That's not what I hear.

I hear you'll be the chief of police very soon.

Maybe mayor of Vienna?

Party secretary?

- All subject to his whim.

- You better hope he doesn't dissolve the parliament

before you get there.

- The prince has some progressive ideas,

but he will make a fine emperor.

- Well, they say you're very close to him,

so I'm sure you'll do fine.

- Look.

Yes, indeed, they say that I'm very close to the prince.

But the simple truth of the matter is, Herr Eisenheim,

I'm the son of a butcher.

He's the heir to the empire.

How close could we be to such as him, hmm?

Do you see my point?

Don't fool yourself that you can play in their game.

I've served on the edge of it

for many, many years

and I can tell you with certainty

there's no trick they haven't seen.

It's not worth it.

[audience chattering]

- My guest tonight is not a showman at all,

but rather a wizard

who has sold his soul to the devil

in return for unholy powers.

Or so at least some of our friends here

would have us believe.

[all laughing]

But fear not.

Everything can and will be explained.

All mysteries penetrated.

[crowd applauding] - Hear, hear!

- [Man] Well said, well said!

[audience gasps]

- [Man] Is that the emperor?

- [Man] Ah, yes, your father.

- I didn't think he was invited.

[audience laughing]

[audience applauding]

- [Man] Bravo.

- A fair likeness of the old man.

Too modern a style for him, of course.

[audience laughing]

- I'm afraid I'm not much of a painter.

- It's true.

There are no brushstrokes in this painting.

I can see that very clearly.

So to achieve the color,

some sort of chemical must be interacting, presumably.

Some sort of sprayer up your sleeve?

May I?

- If you feel you must.

- I do.

- Oh, let the man do his show.

- You want me to just sit there when it's so obvious?

[audience laughing]

- I do.

- He tries to trick you.

I try to enlighten you.

Which is the more noble pursuit?

- May we have the lights, please,

so His Highness can better see?

- [Man] See here, Leopold, let's have a show.

- [Man] Hear, hear!

- [Man] Come on, Leopold.

- [Man] Let him get on with it.

- Very well.

I propose a challenge.

Why don't you astonish us if you can

without all the

gadgetry?

- As you wish.

Your sword is very beautiful.

Might I see it?

- Certainly.

- May I?

Where does power flow from?

Skill or destiny, or divine right?

We all know the story of a sword called Excalibur.

Excalibur's blade was fixed in stone

and there it stayed.

[audience murmuring]

Many worthy knights tried to pull the sword from the stone.

Only Arthur succeeded

proving his right to rule.

Who can take this sword?

You, sir, can you take the sword?

[audience chuckling]

[grunting]

[audience laughing]

- No surprise there.

[audience laughing]

- Perhaps you, sir.

- Not so eager, cousin.

[audience laughing]

- [Man] Oh you can do it.

- [Woman] Yeah, pull it hard, pull it!

- [Audience] Harder, harder, harder.

[cousin grunts]

[audience applauding]

- You shall live a long life.

- Thank you for your indulgence.

[audience applauding]

[tense music]

- Come now, if you can't pull it out,

you'll never be emperor.

- [Man] Your father will live to be a hundred.

[audience laughing]

[Leopold grunts]

- [Audience] Oh, oh.

- The sword to its rightful owner!

[audience applauding]

- That's enough light entertainment for this evening.

For a more serious discussion,

please join me for a drink.

[audience applauding]

Shut him down.

- [Walter] Well, he's very popular, Your Highness.

- [Leopold] I'm sure you will find a way.

- [Sophie] What did you do to him?

- I gave him what he asked for.

- What would possess you to do something so foolish?

[gentle music]

- [Woman In Black] Duchess von Teschen,

you must come along, my dear.

We don't want to keep the prince waiting.

Did you enjoy the show?

- It was wonderful, wasn't it?

- [Woman In Black] It was amusing.

[gentle music]

[horse hooves clomping]

[tense music]

- Who told you where to find me?

- Your manager.

I told him if he wants to stay in Vienna,

you need my help.

- Ah, so I'm to be driven from the city, is that it?

Good, I shall relish it.

- Stop it!

I came here to try to help you.

- Why?

Why should you possibly care what happens to me now?

- You were my friend.

I am your friend.

- We knew each other very briefly a long time ago.

You don't know me at all.

- Then why did you speak to me?

Why did you even bother talking--

[moving to dramatic music]

- And you kept it all this time.

- I used to sit and stare at your picture

trying to imagine where you were.

At night I'd have dreams I'd gone with you

and then I'd wake up and realize where I was.

But in my dreams you had shorter hair and no beard.

[sighs]

Where did you go when you left?

- To my uncle's farm near Prague.

- How exotic.

[both chuckle]

- I went to Russia,

then Asia Minor,

and then the Orient for many years.

- So long.

- I always meant to return.

I just, I kept thinking I'd find it around the next corner.

- What?

- A real mystery.

I saw remarkable things,

but the only mystery I never solved

was why my heart couldn't let go of you.

- He wants me to go to Budapest

with him next week to announce our engagement.

He wants the Hungarians behind him.

They're going to crown him king.

- I'm sure his father will have something to say about that.

- He plans to overthrow his father.

- That could go very badly for him

and for you.

You shouldn't be involved.

- [sighs] I am part of his plan.

He only gets Hungary by aligning himself with my family.

- Leave him.

- It's not that easy.

- Call it off and come away with me.

Or don't say anything and we'll just go.

- As long as we're alive

he'll hunt us.

And when he finds us, he'll kill us.

- Look at me.

Do you truly want to leave with me?

- Yes, I do.

[people chattering]

[bell ringing]

- There you are.

As I predicted, they've shut us down.

Are you happy now, hmm?

You made your point?

It doesn't matter that we were sold out for the whole run!

No, look.

You got it off your chest.

- [Eisenheim] Do we have money?

- What?

- Do we have any money saved?

- Yes, we have some.

But we could have had much, much more.

- Mmm, it will have to do.

[tense music]

And the second account, all of it.

- [Teller] Of course, Herr Eisenheim.

- Thank you.

[horse hooves clomping]

[driver shouting]

- And you have no doubt it was Duchess von Teschen?

- I'd stake my life on it.

- Ah.

What was in this suitcase?

- I don't know.

[people chattering]

- He's by the first car.

[steam hissing]

[train whistle tooting]

- [Conductor] My help.

- [Eisenheim] The map will show you where to meet.

When it's done, you'll travel ahead with her

and I shall follow.

- [Man] And she understands everything this entails?

- [Eisenheim] Completely.

There's not a lot of time.

[train whistle tooting]

[gentle music]

[birds chirping]

[rifle firing]

- As you know, we sometimes follow

Duchess von Teschen for her protection.

Yesterday, she was seen in the company of another man.

- What man?

- Eisenheim the Illusionist.

- What were they doing?

- Well, they were meeting and, uh--

- Touching?

Kissing?

Fornicating?

- Not that we observed, no.

However, I have reason to believe

that they may be planning something together.

It's possible they may be leaving.

I'm not certain of anything yet, Your Highness.

- Thank you, Inspector.

- We can, of course, acquire more information--

[rifle firing]

[bird cawing]

[tense music] [horse hooves clomping]

- He spent the afternoon in Vienna with his father.

He's expected shortly.

[bottle clanking]

- What a surprise.

I thought you didn't like it here.

I suppose you think you're very clever

and very democratic

in your friendships, aren't you?

- What are you talking about?

- Your magician friend.

I know you've been with him.

- It's true.

We've been friends since childhood.

- Do you sleep with all your childhood friends?

- I will not be spoken to this way.

- You'll be spoken to as I wish to speak to you!

- You're drunk.

- You're getting quite old, aren't you?

You know, my mother was 16 years old

when she married my father.

And you?

Can you even bear children?

Are you any use at all?

Are you trying to embarrass me?

- It has nothing to do with you.

- It has everything to do with me!

You will not share my bed if you have slept with him!

- You don't understand.

I'm not going to share your bed at all.

I'm not going to Budapest with you.

I don't want to be part of what you're planning.

And I will not marry you.

- I assume you haven't been so stupid

as to tell him anything.

Because if you disrupt my plans,

I will have no further use for you.

Do you understand?

Now, you will travel to Budapest tomorrow.

I recommend that you're here early,

packed and ready to go.

Do nothing more to embarrass me.

- Goodbye.

[tense music]

- What do you mean, goodbye?

Come back here.

Come back here!

Don't disobey me.

You whore!

[moving to ominous music]

- [Sophie] Out of my way.

[sword clanking] Please,

don't!

[groans]

[horse neighing]

[horse hooves clomping]

[moving to dramatic music]

- No, leave that.

Leave all the lanterns.

[distant train chugging]

[horse hooves clomping]

[somber music]

- [Man] Duchess von Teschen!

Duchess von Teschen!

Duchess von Teschen!

Maybe over on that side!

[dog whimpers]

- [Man] Over here!

[men shouting]

[moving to dramatic music]

[cries]

[carriage rattling]

- [Driver] Whoa.

Whoa.

[dog barking]

- I thought you saw her get on the train with him.

- No, sir.

We were waiting in Vienna for them,

but they left from Baden.

- We assumed she was with him.

[Walter grunts]

- [Willigut] Should I wire the crown prince in Budapest?

- It's been done.

Who are you?

- I'm the family's doctor.

Are you the chief inspector?

- Yes, I am.

You understand this is a police matter now?

- Of course I understand.

- Good, good.

You have determined the cause of death?

- She bled to death.

There's a wound on her throat

just above the left collarbone.

Perhaps from a knife or a sword.

- May I take a look?

- Inspector, I-I will not stand for it.

The crown prince will not stand for it.

This is not some circus sideshow.

- My apologies, of course.

[sighs]

Thank you, Doctor.

- Probably robbed.

Gypsies, maybe.

- Saw all those diamonds, couldn't say no.

- Chief Inspector, there's one thing you should know.

- [Walter] Yes, what is that?

- In the folds of her dress

I found this small gemstone.

- [Driver] Ya!

- Seen last Thursday at 7:30 p.m., riding without an escort

toward the Imperial Hunting Lodge.

Groomsman said she arrived about 8:30.

- What was she doing riding alone?

[dogs barking]

- He did this.

You know he did.

- I know who did what?

- The crown prince!

He killed her.

He's done it before, and you know it.

- No, I don't know that.

In fact, I'm sure he didn't.

He's in Budapest.

- He killed her before he left!

- I'm afraid the facts don't support your theory.

- She was leaving him.

- For who?

You?

- Yes! - Don't be absurd,

Herr Eisenheim.

- He killed her because he couldn't let her go.

She knew his secret.

- What secret?

- Ask your inspector.

He knows-- - Stop this right now!

[laughs]

- Are you completely corrupt?

- No, not completely, no.

Which is why I'll advise you not to accuse anyone,

especially His Imperial Highness,

or you will end up in jail yourself.

[horse hooves clomping]

Where's the guard who let her out of the gate?

- Gone with the crown prince.

- Did any of the servants see her leave?

- All asleep.

- Ah.

What about him?

- He, uh, he put her horse in the first stall

when she arrived.

- Ah.

Was it this one?

- [Jurka] We don't have jurisdiction on

- Thank you, I know.

- So what are you doing?

- [sighs] Investigating.

- Listening to that magician, are you?

For all we know, he did it.

- No, I think not.

- The crown prince, he's back.

[horse whinnying]

[horse hooves clomping]

- Chief Inspector.

We should go.

Now.

[horse whinnying]

[sighs]

- What have you found out?

- She was last seen riding here, alone.

- Yes.

And based on your information, I then threw her out.

Do you, did she commit suicide?

- No.

It was surely murder.

- Do you have a suspect?

- We will soon, Your Highness.

Later that week, we arrested a man

and charged him with murder

but I knew that that wouldn't satisfy Eisenheim.

[somber music]

I had my men continue to watch him.

He finally emerged from his grief

and bought a rundown theater.

- [Eisenheim] It's perfect.

- [Walter] He fired his manager

and began preparing for a new kind of show.

[moving to tense music]

[audience chattering]

[eerie music]

[tense music]

[audience murmuring]

- [Man In Audience] Who is he?

- My name is Frankel.

[audience murmuring]

- Where did you come from?

- I come from Brunn.

My father is a lens grinder there.

- How have you come to be here tonight?

- I don't know.

- [Woman] Are you alive?

[audience chattering]

- [Man] What can you tell us about the other side?

- [Man] What's it like?

- Yes, tell us. - Tell us.

- [Woman] You must know things.

Secret things.

- [Man] Say something spiritual.

[gasping]

[chattering]

- [Man] I haven't seen anything like that [mumbles].

- They don't seem to think it's a trick.

- [Man] Eisenheim!

Come out and talk to us!

- [Woman] Eisenheim!

- [Walter] Eisenheim's audience had always been enthusiastic

but now he was attracting

a more impassioned following.

[crowd murmuring]

- That's him.

- There he is.

- [Man] That's him.

[woman murmurs]

- [Man] Yes, tell us.

- [Man] Sir, talk to him.

[audience chattering]

- [Woman] A boy.

- [Eisenheim] Madam, please.

[crowd gasps]

- With these spirits, [somber music]

these manifestations,

Eisenheim has given us hard proof

of the soul's immortality.

The spirit has been reaffirmed

in the face of modern, scientific materialism.

The work of spiritualism will rouse humanity

to a new, moral earnestness.

- It is a revolutionary movement

and we will turn the empire into a spiritual republic.

- Do you think Eisenheim's behind all this?

[sighs]

- Why must I be bothered with a magician?

- He is proving to be more than a magician, Your Highness.

- He is a charlatan.

He's a faker.

[snorts] He pretends to have supernatural powers.

Put him on trial for fraud.

- First, we have to show it is fraud.

- Then do it.

Find out how the trick is done, and then arrest him.

[projector clacking]

- This is just a rough demonstration, Inspector.

But you can see how it could work.

- Yes, I see.

Not bad, not bad.

We need a spy in Eisenheim's troupe.

- Those Orientals, they won't give us anything.

- Mmm.

- I already tried.

- Yeah.

Then try something else.

[crickets chirping]

[dog barking]

[floor creaking]

[door banging]

[tense music]

[crowd chattering]

- [Man] You guys aren't coming.

- [Man] Hurry up, a nation.

- [Woman] Push him on the other side.

- [Man] It's the spirit?

- [Man] Mmm hmm, mmm hmm.

- Let's see.

- What has happened here?

- One of those ghosts from the theater down the street.

- Yes.

Over there. - Where?

- There. - Right there.

And it's a boy.

[man shouting]

- Yes, look, look.

- Sick!

[women chattering]

Where is this thing?

- Over there.

- Uh huh.

Did you see it?

[crying] Mmm!

- [Man] An apparition.

And, I saw him, I swear.

- [Man] Yes!

- [Woman] It was a boy.

- [Man] It was right over there.

[woman gasping]

[crowd gasps]

- The boy. [crowd murmuring]

[moving to dramatic music]

[audience shouting]

- [Man] Where are you taking him?

He hasn't broken any laws.

- [Walter] I want to know how it's done.

- First the orange tree, now this.

Do I have to share all my professional secrets

with the police?

- Well, in this case, yes, or I'll be forced to arrest you.

- On what charge?

- Mmm, well, we'll start with fraud.

[loud knocking]

- Excuse me, Chief Inspector--

- What?

- I think you should look outside the window.

- Ah.

Who are they?

- They're here for him.

- Oh.

My goodness, you have a devoted following.

What is it they expect of you?

- I have no idea.

What do your spies tell you?

- That you plan to subvert the monarchy, perhaps.

- Why?

Just because the crown prince is a murderer?

- He's not a murderer.

We have the real murderer in prison.

He pleaded guilty.

- You've got the wrong man.

- You don't know that.

- No, but you do.

- Hmm.

Herr Eisenheim, you will also go to prison

if you don't explain to me what it is you are doing.

- [Crowd] Eisenheim, let him go!

- The sentence will be greater

if that mob attacks the building.

- [Crowd] Eisenheim, Eisenheim, Eisenheim, Eisenheim!

- Well?

- [Crowd] Eisenheim, Eisenheim,

Eisenheim, Eisenheim, Eisenheim.

- What are you doing?

Stop!

Stop!

- [Crowd] Eisenheim, Eisenheim!

- [Woman] There he is!

[crowd cheering and applauding]

- Listen to me, please!

You must listen to me, please!

Thank you all for coming.

I have been speaking with the chief inspector.

And I think there's been a serious misunderstanding.

I want you all to know that everything

that you have seen in my theater is an illusion.

- [Man In Crowd] See.

- It's a trick.

It's not real.

I can't bring loved ones back from the grave.

I can't receive messages from the other side.

I apologize if I've given you any false hope.

My intention has only been

to entertain, nothing more.

[crowd muttering]

Now, I appreciate your support.

But you must go home.

Please, you must go.

There, now, I've explained it, so it can't be fraud.

May I go?

[sighs heavily]

- Has he tricked you?

Is that it?

- No, Your Highness.

- Then why are you failing me?

I thought I could trust you.

I thought you were a man I could bring with me

when I took the throne.

Am I wrong about you?

- No, you're not wrong, Your Highness, no.

- I need men who can complete the tasks assigned to them!

Instead, I'm surrounded by fools.

In the end, I must do everything myself.

I can see this case will be no different.

- [Walter] Mmm.

[horse hooves clomping]

- How do I look?

- Ordinary, Your Highness.

Very ordinary.

- I think I'm going to enjoy this.

[people chattering]

- They don't recognize you.

- Good.

And keep your distance.

I don't want to be seen with a policeman.

[audience chattering]

[building creaking]

[audience murmuring]

- [Man In Audience] Who's that?

[audience gasping]

- [Man In Audience] It's her.

[audience gasps]

- [Man In Audience] Who are you?

Are you Duchess von Teschen?

- Yes.

[audience chattering]

- [Man] What's happened to you?

- [Man] She was murdered.

- Were you murdered?

- [Man] Were you?

- Tell us. - By who?

- [Man] Did they arrest the right man?

- [Man] Tell us, please.

Who murdered you?

- [Man] Tell us.

- Someone.

Here.

[audience gasping]

- [Man] Tell us who, point him out.

- [Man] Was it the crown prince?

- [Man] He's killed a woman before!

- [Man] How dare you!

- [Man] The crown prince isn't even here.

- [Man] Help her!

Something must be done!

[somber music]

[audience moans]

[audience chattering]

- Chief Inspector, are you sure you have the right man?

- Quite sure.

Excuse me.

- Did you investigate the crown prince?

He cannot continue if this is true.

- He must be brought to justice.

- It's not true.

A magic trick is not evidence.

What is your name?

- I don't see how that matters.

- I advise you to watch what you say, sir.

[carriage clattering]

- That actress didn't even look like Sophie.

But the audience is stupid and he knows it.

He manipulates them.

He himself said nothing.

His actress said nothing inflammatory.

He left it to the audience to make their accusations.

All plants paid for by him, of course.

I don't suppose you made a note of those people?

- I'm afraid we didn't have enough men tonight.

- At the next performance, I want them all arrested.

Every one of them, Eisenheim, the whole troupe.

I want an example made of him

in front of all his followers.

- That was very foolish last night.

Oh.

You can't destroy him, you know.

You can't bring down the monarchy.

- Oh, I know I can't.

- Then don't raise her again.

Don't provoke those questions.

Eisenheim, I don't want to arrest you.

I'm a cynical man, God knows,

but if your manifestations are somehow real

then even I'm willing to admit,

you're a very special person.

And if it's a trick, then it's equally impressive.

Either way, you have a gift.

So don't make me put you in jail!

Promise me you won't do it again.

- I promise you you'll enjoy this next show.

- What do you want?

- Nothing.

- Then why bring her back?

- Just to be with her.

- To be with her.

[crowd chattering]

- Everything is ready?

- Yes, sir. - Come.

- We're trying to assess how he might escape.

- He will not escape.

I want guards at every door and window!

- Sir.

[crowd chattering]

- I want to apologize to you for my behavior of late.

But I want to make it up to you,

if you'll listen to a proposition.

- Well, I don't know.

- I'll make it worth your while, Josef.

- You know, I'm very busy right now.

I haven't just been sitting around waiting for you.

- No, no, of course.

I want you to assume control of all my finances.

And my assets.

Everything.

- Everything?

- Yes.

Including this theater

and all the receipts from tonight's performance

which I offer with my sincere thanks.

What do you say?

- All right.

I'll do it.

- Good.

Good.

- Would you like me to introduce you tonight?

- No.

Tonight, just enjoy the show.

[crowd murmuring]

- Excuse me, Chief Inspector.

I'm Josef Fischer, Eisenheim's manager.

- Yes, I remember.

- What's going on?

Why all the police?

- Precautions, Herr Fischer, precautions.

- Are you planning to arrest Eisenheim?

- Oh, that's entirely up to him.

[crowd murmuring]

[crowd gasping]

- [Woman] It's her.

- [Woman] It's Duchess von Teschen!

- [Woman] Yes, he murdered her.

- Why were you murdered?

- [Sophie] I was leaving him.

- [Woman] Leaving who?

- The crown prince?

- [Man] Of course it was.

- [Man] We won't stand for it!

- I tried to get away.

I was wearing my locket when I died.

But now it's gone.

It's lost.

- [Man] Tell us, please.

Who murdered you?

- Was it the crown prince?

- We must do something!

- Come here.

- [Man] We must help her!

[audience shouting]

- [Officer] To the front!

- [Officer] Step out!

- In the name of His Imperial Majesty

and the City of Vienna,

I hereby arrest Eduard Abramovicz

[audience shouting]

also known as Eisenheim the Illusionist

on charges of disturbing public order,

charlatanism, and threats against the empire!

- No!

[Sophie groans]

[eerie music]

- [Audience] Oh!

[ominous music]

- [Audience] Oh!

[moving to dramatic music]

[audience shouting]

- He's disappeared. - Where is he?

- [Walter] Find him!

- [Woman] They're not going to find him.

[tense music]

- Where is he?

- He was right there.

- How was his trick done?

- No trick.

- How is it done?

- I don't know.

Nobody know.

- [Walter] Damn it!

[horse hooves clomping] [carriages clattering]

[officers shouting]

- [Officer] I'll stay in the front.

[lighthearted music]

[sighs]

[moving to dramatic music]

[tense music]

[tense music]

- Oh.

[somber music]

I had my driver take the sword to police headquarters.

My men will examine it and see if it matches the gemstone

found on Duchess von Teschen's body.

I have no doubt that it will.

And after that, I came in here

and you asked me why I was late.

- You've stolen Imperial property.

- That seems trivial compared with murder.

- Even if that were true, you have no jurisdiction here.

- Well, that's right.

You may do as you wish here, without consequence.

Nobody can punish you.

Except one man.

- Who's that?

- The Emperor.

I don't suppose he'll leave his crown

to a murderer, do you?

- He'll never believe you.

- Maybe not.

Hmm.

But, I wrote a letter to his general staff

telling them everything.

Including your plan to overthrow the emperor.

I know they'll listen to that.

You'll not take the throne, not with my help.

- You no longer want to be chief of police?

Mayor of Vienna?

You don't want to be a baron, an aristocrat?

- I'm afraid that's out of the question at this point.

- You fool.

He's tricking you.

He's manipulating you.

He had the sword at a command performance.

He could have pried the stones loose then

and planted them here.

He's planted everything.

- When you were drunk.

- It's all a trick.

It's an illusion.

- Perhaps there's truth in this illusion.

[gun clicking]

- You need to wire your driver and have the sword returned.

- Or what?

- I'll shoot you.

Perhaps I'll shoot you anyway.

- And then you'll have killed a police inspector

and a duchess.

- Or perhaps you'll kill yourself.

You, uh, committed suicide,

distraught at having failed your leader.

[horse hooves clomping]

[Leopold panting]

- Ah.

Some officers of the general staff, I'd guess.

They must have received my letter.

[horse hooves thundering]

- What do you want?

- I don't want anything.

- Fine.

Fine.

You shall have nothing.

[horse hooves clattering]

- Gentlemen.

- The situation is so obvious.

Everyone's completely incompetent.

My father runs the empire into the ground

and no one notices, no one knows anything about it.

I propose to clean up the mess,

and you thank me by betraying me.

Well, you're all becoming irrelevant.

You'll all be replaced.

[gasps]

The Country will be run by Mongrels!

There's a thousand different voices screaming to be heard,

and nothing will be done!

Nothing!

I've done everything I can.

Too much!

[panting]

Far too much.

[loud knocking]

- [Man] Your Highness!

Are you in there?

[door rattling]

- [Man] Your Highness, open the door.

Please.

Open the door.

[loud pounding]

By your father's authority

I insist you open the door!

You must open the door! [loud pounding]

- You're all fools.

[Walter gasps]

- [Man] Please, Your Highness!

- And, I can't stand it.

[loud pounding]

He won't stand it.

[gun firing]

[body thumps]

- [Man] Break down the door.

Break it down!

[Walter groaning]

What happened?

- The crown prince just shot himself.

[sighs]

[groans]

[crowd chattering]

- [Man] I know.

- [Woman] Aren't we going to bring some cake?

- [Man] Yes, absolutely.

- He's the man?

- The man? - Yes.

- Are you Chief Inspector Uhl?

- I used to be.

[bell tolling]

You!

Who gave you this?

Who gave you this?

- Herr Eisenheim!

- When?

- [Man] I'm so glad you enjoyed this.

- [Woman] Ever so much, thank you, thank you.

[tense music]

[horse snorting] [carriage rattling]

- [Driver] Look out!

- [Man] It's the same as yesterday.

[moving to dramatic music]

[whistle whistling]

- All aboard!

[train whistle tooting]

Tickets and papers.

All aboard!

[train whistle tooting]

[train chugging]

[train whistle tooting]

- [Eisenheim] When it's done you'll travel ahead with her

and I shall follow.

- And she understands everything this entails?

- [Eisenheim] Completely.

- [Willigut] Do you think that Eisenheim's behind all this?

- [Eisenheim] So, what does it mean, to die?

- [Walter] What do you want?

- [Eisenheim] To be with her.

- [Walter] To be with her.

- [Doctor] Chief Inspector,

there's one thing you should know.

- [Eisenheim] Your sword is very beautiful.

Might I see it?

- [Sophie] You're drunk.

- [Walter] You were drunk.

- [Leopold] He's a charlatan.

He's a faker.

He's planted everything.

- [Eisenheim] Everything you have seen is an illusion.

It's a trick.

[gasps]

[sighs]

[train chugging] [whistle wailing]

[dramatic music]

[laughing]

[emotional orchestral music]

[lyrical orchestral music]

[dramatic music]

[somber music]

[moving to dramatic music]

[lyrical orchestral music]

[dramatic music]