Prepare to be amazed by mind-reading illusions that seem to defy explanation as the history of mental trickery is revealed. The oracle of Delphi, spiritualism and today's psychological illusionist, Derren Brown, come under scrutiny. Plus an array of interviewees, including Uri Geller, and a modern version of a 1950s mind trick.
How do magicians create the illusion of floating on air? All Bongo, Paul Daniels and Paul Kieve contribute to the history of levitation on the stage, an act first inspired by stories of Indian holy men defying gravity and perfected in the form of the legendary Indian rope trick. Now it has been taken to new flights of fancy in the spectacular shows of David Copperfield.
When David Blaine throws your chosen playing card through a plate glass window right before your eyes, or Paul Daniels produces a huge block of ice from beneath his hat, they are performing the oldest and purest fom of magical illusion-sleight of hand. Tracing the long history of close-up magic, the programme recalls the routines of past masters before bringing the form up to date as Paul Zenon creates the biggest magic trick of its kind ever seen.
From the Victorians' "Pepper's Ghost" -in which a ghost would seemingly walk among live actors-to modern TV trickery, appearances and disappearances have been crucial to magic. Here are some of the most impressive "grand illusions", culminating in an effect never before seen on television: American magician Franz Harary tries to make London's Tower Bridge vanish.
Harry Houdini became one of the most well-known magicians thanks to his extraordinary feats of escapology. But there was one trick that even he would not attempt the infamous bullet catch that claimed 12 lives, including that of Chinese illusionist Chung Ling Soo on stage in London in 1918. This look at the riskier areas of magical acts culminates in a tongue-in-cheek version of David Blaine's recent endurance test as magician Robert Gallup is straitjacketed above the Thames in a glass box with a timed trap door-over burning metal spikes. Also featuring eccentric US duo Penn and Teller.
From sawing a woman in half to fake decapitations, magicians have always been drawn to illusions that feature the power of death and restoration. This trend can be traced from the Elizabethan mystery plays to modem-day performers like the Amazing Jonathan, whose show features violence on a scale to rival Quentin Tarantino. Including contributions from Paul Daniels, Paul Zenon and the Pendragons, plus archive footage of one magician who, having seemingly sliced his victim in two, refused to bring her back together again.
