

The result is a machine that doesn't transport objects, but duplicates them. But Tesla denies ever having built the machine, but is willing to begin making one for Angier. Angier believes the inventor built a machine for Borden's trick and he wants Tesla to do the same for him. She then gives him the key: TESLA.Īfter deciphering the diary he learns that he needs to go to America in order to seek out the inventor, Nikola Tesla. He learns there is a key word necessary to decipher the diary and Angier threatens to kill Fallon, the stage engineer for Borden who also works with Olivia.

Eventually Angier, angered by the turning of the tables and still consumed by the death of his wife he confronts Olivia to take Borden's diary - which she gives him. Angier cannot figure out how he does it and he makes it his sole mission to figure out how he does it so he can use it himself.Īngier then has his assistant Olivia spy on Borden in order to steal his trick, but Olivia ends up falling in love with Borden and becomes his assistant. Borden initially the more spectacular as he performs a trick where he exits a door on one side of the stage while simultaneously entering another on the other side of the stage. The men go their separate ways and begin their own magic careers. Angier blames Borden for her death, accusing him of tying a knot she couldn't get out of. And during one trick Angier's wife is killed when she is unable to escape from the underwater tank she was tied up and put into. We then see Angier and Borden working together under Cutter to perform magic.

Simultaneously we watch as Robert Angier performs his trick of making himself disappear all while Alfred Borden sneaks under the stage to discover that Angier is drowning in a tank with a blind man sitting near by. The film begins with John Cutter explaining the three acts of a magic trick. Written by people who wish to remain anonymous We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make your own. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community.
