This neglected film does not deserve to be neglected. In fact, it might even be one of Hopkins's best performances on film. Moreover, I even think it probably is even better than Hopkins's Oscar-winning turn as Hannibal Lecter in "Silence of the Lambs". The reason I say that is because Hopkins's in the latter film was rather hammy and way way over-the-top but then maybe that was the kind of performance the director wanted. But Hopkins's performance in "Magic" is understated almost to the point of numbness and yet that is what I felt was so brilliant about it. The scene where Hopkins's manager, Burgess Meredith, forces Hopkins and the dummy not to utter a single word in the space of five minutes is one of the single most suspenseful scenes ever committed to celluloid. And although the time goes by slowly, the suspense keeps building and building and you can actually see the inner pain that expresses itself onto Hopkins's face. That scene alone is worth seeing the picture for. And while I love Ann-Margret, she is basically window dressing here but then who cares when she is so great just to look at anyway.
