Click to read the article
Magic (1978)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:17
Fresh:14
Rotten:3
Average Rating:6.8/10
Runtime: 1 hr 46 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: A screen adaptation of William Goldman's chilling novel of a ventriloquist's dummy that takes over his master's life. Ventriloquist Corky Fats finally gets the chance to make it big when his... A screen adaptation of William Goldman's chilling novel of a ventriloquist's dummy that takes over his master's life. Ventriloquist Corky Fats finally gets the chance to make it big when his agent offers him a lucrative television deal. But Corky turns him down. Choosing instead to return to his boyhood home in the Catskills. There he is reunited with his childhood sweetheart, and meets her jealous husband. But things take a wicked turn when Corky's demonic dummy gets into the act. Soon its hard to tell who's the puppet and who's pulling the strings. [More]
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter
Starring: Anthony Hopkins, Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith, Ed Lauter
Director: Richard Attenborough
Director: Richard Attenborough
Screenwriter: William Goldman
Get This Movie
Reviews for Magic
Magic has few scary moments and is really a rather maudlin examination of a nervous breakdown.
A hammed-up version of the old chestnut about the ventriloquist who is 'taken over' by his dummy, clumsily adapted by William Goldman from his own novel.
Because of Hopkins, because of Ann-Margret (who hardly looks like that Ann-Margret, adeptly proving herself as an occasional dramatic actress), and because of Burgess Meredith as well as Fats the dummy, "Magic" is one of the top-notch films of the 1970s.
A very well-crafted suspense-thriller that unfolds with one dramatically tense scene after another. Hopkins is superb.
Magic is neither eerie nor effective. It is, however, very heavy of hand.
Although it's well-handled by Attenborough and features decent supporting turns from Ann-Margret and Ed Lauter, the key source of Magic's terror is the fact that ventriloquists' dummies are and always will be disturbing.
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 14% 14% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Magic at Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh Links
Featured

The director talks about puppetry perfection and his film, Fantastic Mr. Fox

Hollywood.com ponders whether or not an animated film could win Best Picture.

Richard Corliss previews the season's best offerings and hottest tickets.

The AV Club's Mike D'Angelo airs his beefs with Alfonso Cuaron's Children of Men.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic



