Share
Clip description
Showman Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) quietens the enthusiastic audience with a gesture before talking about the stunt he is about to perform. He is handcuffed and, feet held fast in stocks, lowered upside down into water. Once out of sight behind a curtain, he removes the key to the handcuffs from his mouth. But visions cause him to lose his focus. Mr Sugarman (Timothy Spall) grows concerned, as does the crowd. There is much applause when Houdini finally frees himself.
Curator’s notes
Guy Pearce was born in the UK but grew up in Australia and came to the public’s attention as a young actor in Neighbours (1985-current). He made it onto the world film stage as a result of his part in the highly successful The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (1994). Since then, his chiselled features have appeared in more non-Australian than Australian films such as LA Confidential (1997) and Memento (2000). He also appeared in The Proposition (2005), another UK-Australian co-production.
