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houdini, channel 4
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Just watched this on catch-up from yetserday, I thought it was very good, and learnt some things about his life, I did not know, great acting as well from Adrien Brody, and the cast.
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Maybe because it's a drama and not a documentary.
I've recorded this, hoping I get chance to watch it when I get home from work tomorrow.
Really, that a shame, must admit I did not check, still a good drama.
I thought the acting was excellent, particularly Adrien Brody (and even Barry from Eastenders in his brief scene as an American reporter).
I'll definitely watch part 2 on Sunday. The Virgin on screen guide says about it... (in his later years)... "Houdini works to expose fake magicians and spiritualists", but surely that's ultimately what he was himself? None of them are ever 'real' its just all about admittedly clever trickery and convincing deception.
What's the punch in the stomach thing supposed to be 'about', I'm guessing there's a metaphor there, it was used a bit too much just to be a link to what killed him.
I wasn't totally concentrating though, so might have missed something.
I'm guessing it's just to show that he was accustomed to issuing that type of challenge. So that the circumstances of his death don't come out of the blue.
Adrien Brody was pretty good as Houdini i thought. Will give part 2 a watch.
If a program is going to be based on and named after a real life historical character then I expect it to stick largely to the facts.
Houdini the psychology and the mystery or might have been magic??? Didn't catch the author.
You managed to find a website called "Tricks Houdini didn't Perform"? Or do you mean you simply failed to find anything to say he did do them?
Or did you find a webpage about either the book or programme, which pointed this out?
It makes a difference.
Or Sherlock Holmes. Why not bring him up to date.
But to play around with a character who lived a real life is not on.
His life was interesting enough, no need to invent situations that didn't happen.
I like the look of it, the Yanks do this early 20th century period drama very well.
Looking forward to part 2.
Well, seeing as I tuned in halfway through, yes, I did miss that at the start.
You don't see many of those, these days.
I didn't see the beginning either, missed the first couple of minutes.
Seems like they've used the fact that he was an illusionist as licence to 'spice things up'
I know next to buggerall about his life, so I've got no clue what bits are true and fake.
Same here.
It is said that Houdini often proclaimed that he could survive any blow to his abdomen - hence many people being given the chance to land a blow over the years. It is very relevant to see this established because it was indirectly, to a greater or lesser extent, involved in his death - a student had asked if the claim about the blow to the stomach was true, but started landing the blows before Houdini had properly tensed the muscles in his stomach. This hastened the rupturing of the appendix that was already 'rumbling' in Houdini's abdomen, which in turn eventually led to his death a few days later (Houdini initially didn't seek medical help, and when he did it was too late). Ironically he died on Halloween of 1926, 7 days after the initial blows to the stomach. I'd imagine that's why they're labouring this from the start in this story of his life - and at least that bit is based on reality!
There's a brilliant website www.thegreatharryhoudini.com which has lots of fascinating links to aspect of his life and 'art'.