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All Seasons

Season 1

  • S01E01 Mind Magic

    • October 16, 2004
    • BBC Two

    This edition traces the history of mentalism, from the oracle of Delphi through the age of Spiritualism to today's psychological trickster, Derren Brown.

  • S01E02 Levitation

    • October 23, 2004
    • BBC Two

    This edition traces the story of how magicians learnt to defy gravity, creating the spectacular levitations that became the centrepieces of the great stage shows of the golden age of magic, including the legendary Indian rope trick.

  • S01E03 Close Up Magic

    • October 30, 2004
    • BBC Two

    This edition tells the story of sleight-of-hand magic, looking at close-up performers such Cardini, a card manipulator who learnt his skills in the WWI trenches. And Paul Daniels re-enacts great magic tricks of the legendary Max Malini.

  • S01E04 Disappearances

    • November 6, 2004
    • BBC Two

    This edition features some of the most impressive 'grand illusions' ever achieved and culminates in an effect never before seen on television, as American magician Franz Harary attempts his biggest ever disappearance, London's Tower Bridge.

  • S01E05 Dangerous Magic

    • November 13, 2004
    • BBC Two

    This edition looks at dangerous stunts including those performed by the master of escapology, Harry Houdini, as well as the one trick that not even he would attempt - the Bullet Catch. "Nobody wants a man to fall to his death but they want to be there when it happens." -Houdini

  • S01E06 Violent Magic

    • November 20, 2004
    • BBC Two

    This edition shows how magicians have always been drawn to illusions which feature the power of death and restoration - from fake decapitations in Elizabethan mystery plays to modern performers like the Amazing Johnathan.