A private detective gets more than he bargains for when he encounters Philip Swan, a performer whose amazing illusions captivate the world, but they are not really what everyone thinks.A private detective gets more than he bargains for when he encounters Philip Swan, a performer whose amazing illusions captivate the world, but they are not really what everyone thinks.A private detective gets more than he bargains for when he encounters Philip Swan, a performer whose amazing illusions captivate the world, but they are not really what everyone thinks.
- Awards
- 2 wins & 1 nomination
J. Trevor Edmond
- Young Butterfield
- (as Trevor Edmond)
Ashley Tesoro
- Young Dorothea
- (as Ashley Lyn Cafagna)
Jimmy Shaw
- Motel Bellboy
- (as James Brandon Shaw)
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaNix's pet mandrill was supposed to have a gory death scene (Swann was supposed to shoot it), but this scene never made it to the final film because the makeup effects department couldn't get the "stunt mandrill" (a mechanized puppet) to work properly.
- GoofsWhen D'amour throws Nix down the hole at the end, you can see that the hole is not rock but burlap walled.
- Alternate versionsThe laserdisc version runs 122 minutes and features graphic violence and 12 minutes of non-violent extra scenes. This director's cut has also been released on video in the US.
- SoundtracksImagination
Written and Performed by Simon Boswell
Featured review
From the imaginative and twisted mind of Clive Barker comes another surreal tale of good versus evil - and this time also directed by Barker.
Scott Bakula stars as a detective Harry D'Amour, who is sent to Los Angeles to catch a guy commit insurance fraud. However, this simple mission is about to plunge him into the depths of hell - literally! Soon after arriving in Los Angeles he finds himself on the run from crazed people destined to kill him. As he investigates, he gets drawn deeper to the Dark Side, where evil awaits him.
Years ago the magician Nix was a sect leader and called himself the Puritan, who abducted a young girl to be tortured. One of his disciples and fellow magician, Swann, and a handful of people saved the girl and brought an end to Nix's rule. The girl is now Swann's wife, Dorothea, who hires Harry to investigate a tragic accident during one of Swann's magic shows.
Essentially a fantasy horror, 'Lord of Illusions' also serves as an interesting mystery thriller. The film has a great production design, with excellent visuals and make-up. Scott Bakula is in perfect shape, and dishes up enough eye candy for his fans. Thankfully Barker uses every excuse to show off Bakula's great physique. I enjoyed Famke Janssen as Dorothea, who also serves as the love interest.
'Lord of Illusions' is a great blend of action, adventure, horror and mystery, with a good climax. This is one of my all-time favourite horror movies.
Scott Bakula stars as a detective Harry D'Amour, who is sent to Los Angeles to catch a guy commit insurance fraud. However, this simple mission is about to plunge him into the depths of hell - literally! Soon after arriving in Los Angeles he finds himself on the run from crazed people destined to kill him. As he investigates, he gets drawn deeper to the Dark Side, where evil awaits him.
Years ago the magician Nix was a sect leader and called himself the Puritan, who abducted a young girl to be tortured. One of his disciples and fellow magician, Swann, and a handful of people saved the girl and brought an end to Nix's rule. The girl is now Swann's wife, Dorothea, who hires Harry to investigate a tragic accident during one of Swann's magic shows.
Essentially a fantasy horror, 'Lord of Illusions' also serves as an interesting mystery thriller. The film has a great production design, with excellent visuals and make-up. Scott Bakula is in perfect shape, and dishes up enough eye candy for his fans. Thankfully Barker uses every excuse to show off Bakula's great physique. I enjoyed Famke Janssen as Dorothea, who also serves as the love interest.
'Lord of Illusions' is a great blend of action, adventure, horror and mystery, with a good climax. This is one of my all-time favourite horror movies.
- paulclaassen
- Jan 21, 2022
- Permalink
Details
Box office
- Budget
- $12,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $13,294,422
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $4,800,258
- Aug 27, 1995
- Gross worldwide
- $13,294,422
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