Product Details

• Directors: Mel Morpeth
• Format: Color, NTSC
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: Allumination
• VHS Release Date: February 23, 1999
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• ASIN: 1575235501
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #661,123 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

"Dangerous tricks are performed by fools," says Teller (of the magic duo Penn and Teller) in Death-Defying Feats, an episode of the Learning Channel's Mysteries of Magic series. In this program we are witness to many shocking and seemingly foolhardy treats.

A healthy dose of Penn and Teller highlights this disc, including their Magnum-enhanced modern version of the bullet-catch trick. There is also plenty of historical footage and narrative, including Houdini's Water Torture Cell (an escape that, it is reported, only 12 people in the world have been able to figure out) and many manners of sawing a woman in two. We are presented with multiple versions of the latter, from the cute, quick, and very plain to Richiardi's quite gruesome and morbid presentation.

The final half (no pun intended) of this presentation is devoted to magicians obsessions with firearms, in particular the many variations of the aforementioned bullet catch. Insight is given into the fate of the many magicians who have perished while performing the trick, and particular detail is given to the death of Chung Ling Soo, whose tricks were not the only things he kept a secret.

While the extras on the disc are little more than digital fodder, this episode of the series captures the viewer's attention for its entirety and goes out with a bang. --Zachary Lively

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very entertaining and informative!, February 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mysteries of Magic 1-3 (DVD)

A great look into the history of magic including rare footage of performers from the early 1900's right up to performances by some of todays best illusionists! If you want to learn about the history of magic, these are great volumes at a great price.