The Prestige Ending Explained, Who Died At The End Of The Prestige?
by C Hariharan | Updated Feb 23, 2023
The Prestige Ending Explained
The film's ending has been the subject of much discussion and debate among fans and critics. In order to understand the ending, it is necessary to discuss several key plot points and characters.
The first key plot point is the use of the "Transported Man" trick by both Angier and Borden. The trick involves a magician appearing to teleport from one location to another in an instant. Angier becomes obsessed with learning Borden's secret to the trick, which he believes is a machine or device that allows Borden to transport himself across distances. However, Borden reveals that the secret to the trick is a double: one version of the magician appears to teleport, while the other hides in a trapdoor and emerges at the second location.
The second key plot point is the introduction of Nikola Tesla (David Bowie) as a character in the film. Angier seeks out Tesla in order to build a machine that will allow him to perform a perfect "Transported Man" trick, one that does not require a double. Tesla builds a device for Angier but warns him that it comes with a steep cost.
The third key plot point is the revelation that Borden has a twin brother, who is also a magician. Throughout the film, the brothers have been switching places in order to perform their acts, with one brother living as Alfred Borden and the other living as a mysterious character known as "Fallon." The film's ending involves a series of twists and reveals that tie together these plot points.
At the climax of the film, Angier performs his new "Transported Man" trick, using Tesla's device. The trick appears to work perfectly, with Angier disappearing from one location and reappearing in another. However, the audience sees that every time the trick is performed, a duplicate of Angier is created in the original location. These duplicates are then drowned in a water tank located beneath the stage.
Meanwhile, Borden has been arrested and charged with Angier's murder. However, the film reveals that Borden's twin brother was actually the one who committed the murder. The two brothers had been fighting over their shared love interest, Olivia (Scarlett Johansson), and the murder was a tragic accident that occurred during their struggle.
The film's final twist comes in the form of a series of flashbacks that reveal that Borden and his brother had been performing the "Transported Man" trick all along, using their twin status to switch places and create the illusion of teleportation. The film ends with Borden being executed for Angier's murder, while his twin brother secretly watches from the crowd.
In summary, the ending of "The Prestige" reveals that both Angier and Borden were using doubles to perform their tricks, with tragic consequences. Angier's obsession with learning Borden's secret leads him down a dark path that ultimately leads to his own demise, while Borden's twin brother sacrifices his own life in order to protect his brother's secret. The film's twists and reveals are a testament to Christopher Nolan's skill as a director and have cemented "The Prestige" as a modern classic of the thriller genre.
Who Died At The End Of The Prestige?
At the end of "The Prestige," it is revealed that Robert Angier (played by Hugh Jackman) died as a result of his obsession with the "Transported Man" trick, which he performed using a machine built by Nikola Tesla (David Bowie).
Throughout the film, Angier becomes increasingly desperate to learn the secret of the trick, which he believes is performed by his rival magician, Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), using a double. Angier's obsession leads him to seek out Tesla, who agrees to build him a machine that will allow him to perform a perfect "Transported Man" trick, one that does not require a double.
The machine that Tesla builds for Angier appears to work perfectly, allowing him to disappear from one location and reappear in another in an instant. However, it is revealed that every time the trick is performed, a duplicate of Angier is created in the original location. These duplicates are then drowned in a water tank located beneath the stage.
In the film's climactic scene, Angier performs the "Transported Man" trick one final time, but this time, he remains in the original location and watches as the duplicate is created and subsequently drowned. However, Alfred Borden has secretly infiltrated the theater and shoots Angier in retaliation for the death of his wife, who had been the subject of one of Angier's earlier tricks.
As Angier dies, he reveals the twist that has been driving the plot of the film: that he had been using the machine to create duplicates of himself and then murdering them in order to perform the trick. The true cost of the trick, Angier realizes too late, was his own life.
In summary, Robert Angier died at the end of "The Prestige" as a result of his obsession with the "Transported Man" trick and his use of a machine built by Nikola Tesla. His death was a result of both the consequences of his actions and the revenge sought by Alfred Borden. The film's themes of obsession, sacrifice, and the cost of ambition are all embodied in Angier's tragic fate.
The Prestige Cast
Actor
Character
Hugh Jackman
Robert Angier
Christian Bale
Alfred Borden
Michael Caine
Cutter
Scarlett Johansson
Olivia Wenscombe
David Bowie
Nikola Tesla
Andy Serkis
Alley
Piper Perabo
Julia McCullough
Rebecca Hall
Sarah Borden
Roger Rees
Owens
Ricky Jay
Milton
The Prestige Review And Rating
"The Prestige" is a 2006 psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Priest. The film received critical acclaim upon its release and has since become a beloved cult classic. Here is a detailed review of the film, including its plot, performances, and overall rating.
Plot
"The Prestige," tells the story of two rival magicians, Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) and Alfred Borden (Christian Bale), in turn-of-the-century London. Their obsession with outdoing each other leads them down a dangerous path, as they engage in a series of increasingly risky illusions and dangerous stunts.
The film is structured as a series of nested mysteries, with each revelation leading to a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations. The plot is complex and multi-layered, with a number of unexpected twists and turns that keep viewers guessing until the very end.
Performances
The cast of "The Prestige" is uniformly excellent, with each actor delivering a nuanced and compelling performance. Hugh Jackman is particularly impressive as the tortured Robert Angier, conveying a sense of desperation and obsession that is both unsettling and sympathetic. Christian Bale, as always, is a master of understated intensity, and his portrayal of Alfred Borden is both enigmatic and haunting.
Michael Caine delivers a typically understated performance as Cutter, the stage manager for Angier and Borden's performances. Scarlett Johansson is also excellent as Olivia Wenscombe, the assistant to both magicians who finds herself caught in the middle of their dangerous rivalry.
Direction
Christopher Nolan's direction is masterful, with the film's complex structure and intricate plot expertly handled. Nolan's use of non-linear storytelling and his exploration of themes such as obsession, sacrifice, and the cost of ambition make "The Prestige" a thought-provoking and deeply rewarding viewing experience.
Rating
"The Prestige" currently holds an 8.5/10 rating on IMDb and a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. It has been praised for its intricate plot, excellent performances, and stunning visual style. Many critics have compared it favorably to Nolan's other films, such as "Memento" and "Inception," and it is widely regarded as one of his best works.
Overall, "The Prestige" is a must-watch for fans of psychological thrillers, mystery films, and Christopher Nolan's work. Its complex plot, excellent performances, and stunning direction make it a cinematic tour de force that is sure to leave viewers spellbound.
The Prestige Ending Explained - FAQs
"The Prestige" is a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan that tells the story of two rival magicians, Robert Angier, and Alfred Borden, as they engage in a dangerous game of one-upmanship that leads them down a path of obsession and betrayal.
The Prestige features a star-studded cast, including Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier, Christian Bale as Alfred Borden, Michael Caine as Cutter, Scarlett Johansson as Olivia Wenscombe, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla.
Yes, "The Prestige" is based on the novel of the same name by Christopher Priest. However, the film deviates from the book in a number of ways, particularly in its handling of the ending.
The twist ending of "The Prestige" involves the revelation that Alfred Borden had a twin brother, and that the two of them had been alternating playing the role of Borden throughout the film. This explains the seemingly supernatural feats that Borden had been performing and the mysterious appearance of a cloned Angier.
"The Prestige" has received critical acclaim and is widely regarded as one of Christopher Nolan's best films. It currently holds an 8.5/10 rating on IMDb and a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.