The Illusionist is a film written and directed by Neil Burger, it's based loosely on Steven Milhauser's short story: "Eisenheim the Illusionist", the book and this film tells the story of Eisenheim, a magician that lives in Vienna, in the XX century, who uses his abilities yo secure the love of a woman far above his social standing.
Eisenheim was born the son of a cabinetmaker in Vienna, Austra-Hungary. One day as a teenager, Eisenheim meets a traveling magician along a road who performs several tricks for him. Eisenheim becomes obsessed with magic tricks after this. He also falls in love with Sophie since they are kids, but she's is a noblewoman and the two are forbidden to see each other, they meet secretly for a time until at last the are caught and forcefully separated.
Eisenheim then leaves home and travels the world, perfecting his craft. He returns to Vienna years later as a master illusionist. He meets Sophie again at one of his performances, when she is volunteered by Crown Prince Leopold as a reluctant participant in an illusion. He soon learns that Sophie is expected to marry the Crown Prince, who purportedly has a history of abuse towards women. After humiliating the Crown Prince during a private show, Eisenheim finds his hit performance shut out of Vienna. When Sophie comes to offer him help, the two consummate their relationship and realize that they are still in love. They plan to flee the Empire together, but first something must be done to stop Leopold, who Sophie reveals is planning a estrategy to usurp the Crown of Austria from his aging father, the Emperor while using his engagement to her to win the Hungarian half of the Empire as well. She also knows that the Crown Prince will view her as disposable if she leaves him for another man and that he will have both her and Eisenheim followed and killed.
A chief of police was following the couple, that Sophie has met with Eisenheim. While drunk, Leopold confronts Sophie and accuses her of being unfaithful. She tells him that she will not marry him or have anything to do with his plan. She flees, and is soon found dead in the river with a sword cut across her neck. Unfortunately, Leopold's royal status makes any accusations against him unthinkable. As Eisenheim plunges into despair and the citizens of Vienna begin to suspect Leopold of Sophie's murder, Uhl observes Eisenheim's actions more closely on behalf of Leopold.
Finally, Eisenheim planning a new trick of magic.During his show, Eisenheim apparently, summons spirits leading many to believe that he possesses supernatural powers. Eisenheim summons the spirit of Sophie, who says someone in the theater murdered her, panicking Leopold. Uhl pleads with Eisenheim to stop such performances, but Eisenheim refuses. Finally, Leopold orders Eisenheim's arrest. We then return to the opening scene of the movie, but now we see that when Uhl tries to arrest him during the performance, Eisenheim's body fades and disappears like his summoned spirits.
Uhl soon reveals to Leopold that he has found evidence that links the Crown Prince to Sophie's murder: a jewel from the prince's sword and a locket that Eisenheim had given Sophie when they were children. After ordering, then begging Uhl to keep silent, Leopold discovers that Uhl has already informed the Emperor and the General Staff of Leopold's conspiracy to usurp the Austro Hungarian throne. As the Army arrives at his Palace to arrest him, Leopold shoots himself in despair.
As Uhl leaves the Imperial Palace, a boy runs up to hand him a folio explaining one of Eisenheim's magic tricks. Uhl demands to know where the child obtained the folio; the child reveals that Eisenheim had given it to him. Uhl then reaches down into his pocket, to discover that he has been pick-pocketed by a disguised Eisenheim, while distracted by the boy, and gives chase following him to the train station. As the train leaves, a montage shows Uhl putting the pieces together in his mind and discovering how Eisenheim faked Sophie's death and framed Leopold for the murder. Eisenheim is then seen walking up to a house in the country where Sophie is waiting for him.
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