Product details

Actor: David McCullough, David Ogden Stiers, Joe Morton, Liev Schreiber, Linda Hunt
Producer: Katy Mostoller
Producer: Michael Rossi
Producer: Rocky Collins
Writer: Rocky Collins
Producer: Tracy Heather Strain
Writer: Henry Hampton
Edition: VHS Tape
Format: NTSC
Running Time: 60 minutes
Release Date: 2000-02-15
Audience Rating: Unrated
Publisher: Pbs Home Video
Studio: Pbs Home Video

VHS Movie Reviews of The American Experience - Houdini [VHS]

Movie Review: Excellent Biograpy
Summary: 5 Stars

This one hour PBS biography of Houdini is simple up to the fine standards of PBS. It features lots of file footage.

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Summary of The American Experience - Houdini [VHS]

Wrapped in chains and encased in a crate, Harry Houdini was dropped into the icy waters of New York City's East River. Horrified spectators and reporters looked on, never believing he would emerge alive. Yet in less than 60 seconds, he shocked the world by escaping his underwater death chamber. Instantly, he became known as the world's greatest escape artist. For years the great Houdini mesmerized audiences with astonishing acts of magic like subjecting himself to the Water Torture Cell or being buried alive. He was an amazing man and an aspiring artist who confronted humanity's greatest fears: entrapment, pain, and death. This is a truly magical video experience!

There has never been a showman quite like the great Houdini, a poor immigrant who became one of America's greatest media sensations. Playing upon the darkest fears of his audience, he would have himself chained, handcuffed, and locked into cramped containers filled with water, somehow emerging alive, though not before making the sold-out crowds he drew around the world nearly die of suspense. This documentary about Harry Houdini (born Erik Weisz) captures the essence of the escape artist beautifully, showing how his intense work ethic and ego made him succeed beyond anyone's dreams. He was a genius at getting publicity, such as when he had himself trussed up in a straightjacket and dangled over Times Square while tens of thousands of people packed the streets to see if he could free himself. Yet while he attained great fame for being able to escape from nearly any device, he eventually became frustrated, feeling trapped in the bizarre profession he had created. Using archival footage, including newsreel films and rare clips from Houdini's own attempts at a Hollywood career, as well an interviews with people who had seen him perform live, Houdini is a masterful look at an amazing individual. --Robert J. McNamara

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