The film 'The Illusionist', directed by Neil Burger and starring Edward Norton, premiered.
Principal photography for 'The Illusionist' took place, bringing the screenplay by Neil Burger to life.
Neil Burger wrote the screenplay for 'The Illusionist', adapting the story inspired by Steven Millhauser's short story.
Young Eisenheim and Sophie meet and form a bond during their childhood in Vienna.
As adults, Eisenheim and Sophie fall deeply in love and plan to marry, despite social class differences.
Sophie is compelled by her aristocratic family to marry Crown Prince Leopold for political and social reasons.
Eisenheim develops and performs mesmerizing magic shows that gain widespread fame throughout Vienna.
Eisenheim sees Sophie, now married to Leopold, at one of his performances and rekindles emotional tension.
Eisenheim's magic tricks seem to defy logic, creating tension with Crown Prince Leopold who becomes suspicious and threatened.
Sophie dies under suspicious circumstances, leading to public shock and private grief for Eisenheim.
Eisenheim publicly challenges and confronts Prince Leopold about Sophie's death using his illusions as evidence.
To outwit Leopold and be with Sophie secretly, Eisenheim stages his own death as part of his ultimate illusion.
The climax reveals Sophie is alive, and she and Eisenheim escape together, free from Leopold's control.
