My love of magic goes back to my early childhood where I would watch every magician that came on TV and Bill Bixby’s “The Magician” was my favorite series. I was fascinated by the classic performances of Harry Houdini, the razzle dazzle of Doug Henning, and the pure style of Mark Wilson. When the first “David Copperfield Television Special” aired back in 1978, I was front and center, ready to watch this new magician at work. By the end of that hour, I knew this guy was going places. Now its 26 years and a ton of television specials later, and the seemingly ageless Copperfield is still one of the most popular illusionists in the business today. And rightfully so.

Everything about his act reeks of class and style, and though the choreography of some of his illusions have the look of a Las Vegas review gone wild, he still runs circles around most other magicians working today. His illusions are bigger and better (faster? stronger?) than any of his current peers. I watched every single David Copperfield TV Special that has aired since 1978, even going so far as to tape a few. What I wouldn’t give to have them all on DVD.

Well, it doesn’t look like that’ll happen anytime soon, but thanks to a studio by the name of Kultur, I at least have some of the highlights of those specials collected in one place. “David Copperfield Illusion” is a re-edit of a 1999 TV special (that I, of course watched) that celebrated his career. It was presented as a kind of ‘film noir’, with his then fiancée Claudia Schiffer acting as a reporter out to expose Copperfield’s secrets. They play a little cat and mouse game and we are treated to film clips of some of the best illusions he’s created over the years.

Whether you’re into his huge productions, like making an airplane or the Stature of Liberty disappear, or his smaller and quieter illusions where he interacts directly with the audience, you’ll find a nice mix here. Granted, there is a bit of the ‘cheese’ factor involved with the whole ‘Schiffer as reporter’ gag, but I found it forgivable considering the great footage of some of his routines.

I still remember seeing Copperfield when he made the airplane disappear out in the middle of a runaway. We were told that all the fuel had been removed, and a ring of people holding hands was placed around it. There were lights next to the plane aimed out towards the people, who were instructed to face away from the aircraft. Then a ring of material was brought up all the way around the plane, with the people inside. You could see the silhouettes of the people because of the lights. Then the lights were turned off, then back on… the material was dropped… and the plane was gone. My jaw hit the ground. Up until that point, I had read up enough on magic to understand the dynamics of most illusions and knew how many of them worked. I couldn’t even begin to figure out how this one was done. I watched it over and over and still didn’t get it.

The DVD also allowed me to revisit another favorite that I never had the chance to record. It was the amazing illusion called “Flying.” I wasn’t so much impressed by the how it was accomplished as certainly wires were involved, but more so how it was presented. It was nothing short of beautiful. The grace with which it was preformed was beyond compare. At the risk of sounding gay (which I am not… just ask my wife), it almost brought tears to my eyes.

As if the illusions on this DVD weren’t enough, there are quite a few extra features that are as worth watching as the main feature itself. Copperfield does a full length commentary which is far superior to most commentaries you’ll find on DVDs. His demeanor is quite relaxed, yet never monotone, and he is full of anecdotes and self-deprecating comments about everything from his hair to his clothes. He has a very charming personality, which not only serves him well when dealing with audiences, but works to his advantage on this commentary as well.

There is a virtual tour of some of the items from his International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, which boasts over 80,000 historical artifacts in its collection. What I wouldn’t give for a real tour!! You’ll also find some interesting, as well as funny facts about his career as well as a hysterically funny Conan O’Brien spoof. If you keep searching, you’ll also find some old TV trailers for some of his specials.

If you’re not into magic (how boring you must be to be around if you’re not) you probably won’t get much out of this DVD. However, if you have a rich imagination and a love for the wonder of illusion, you can’t get any better than this.

Directed by: David Copperfield
Starring: David Copperfield
Extras: Commentary by David Copperfield, Television Trailers, Awards and Honors, “Clone-on O’Brien” Spoof, Selected Secret Artifacts from the International Museum and Library of the Conjuring Arts, Biography and other Copperfacts
Specifications: Full Screen, Dolby Digital
Studio: Kultur
Release Date: 5/18/2004
Region 1
MPAA Rating: NR
Website

We'll give David Copperfield Illusions an A.