From film-maker Christopher Nolan ("Memento," "Batman Begins") and writer Jonathan Nolan (whose original short story 'Memento Mori' was the basis of "Memento") comes a mysterious tale of two magicians whose intense rivalry erupts into a life-long battle lethally fueled by obsession, deceit, and jealousy. In late nineteenth-century England, two stage illusionists are drawn into a match of wits, each desiring to annihilate the reputation of the other. Upper-class Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) enjoys worldwide fame, while cockney Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) is his most ardent rival. Their antagonism is also a mutual fascination, but the competition between them leads to evermore dangerous acts of conjuring. When Angier raises the stakes by consulting scientist Nikola Tesla (David Bowie), the potential for a deadly reckoning draws near. This volume contains an Introduction by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan. From film-maker Christopher Nolan ("Memento," "Batman Begins") and writer Jonathan Nolan (whose original short story 'Memento Mori' was the basis of "Memento") comes a mysterious tale of two magicians whose intense rivalry erupts into a life-long battle lethally fueled by obsession, deceit, and jealousy. In late nineteenth-century England, two stage illusionists are drawn into a match of wits, each desiring to annihilate the reputation of the other. Upper-class Robert Angier (Hugh Jackman) enjoys worldwide fame, while cockney Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) is his most ardent rival. Their antagonism is also a mutual fascination, but the competition between them leads to evermore dangerous acts of conjuring. When Angier raises the stakes by consulting scientist Nikola Tesla (David Bowie), the potential for a deadly reckoning draws near. This volume contains an Introduction by Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan.