15 Years of Astonishment: David Copperfield's Greatest Feats

David Copperfield is widely regarded as one of the greatest illusionists of all time, having astounded audiences around the world for over 40 years. In 1994, he celebrated his 15th anniversary of performing magic with a special television event called "David Copperfield 15 Years of Magic." The television special showcased some of Copperfield's most iconic illusions and tricks from his career up to that point. It was a grand spectacle of mind-boggling magic acts that left audiences in awe. Copperfield's ability to transport people through space and time, make objects disappear and reappear, and defy the laws of physics was truly remarkable. One of the highlights of the show was Copperfield's famous "Vanishing Statue of Liberty" illusion.

One of the highlights of the show was Copperfield's famous "Vanishing Statue of Liberty" illusion. In this act, Copperfield made the iconic Statue of Liberty disappear in front of a live audience. This illusion became one of his most famous and talked-about tricks, solidifying his status as a master magician.

David Copperfield – 15 Years of Magic – Room 101 – Film 95 – tape 957

This tape opens just as an episode of Tomorrow’s World is finishing, and I’m a bit sad I didn’t record more of those.

There’s a trailer for programmes on Sunday.

Then, David Copperfield – 15 Years of Magic. Using his then girlfriend Claudia Schiffer playing a reporter as a framing device, this is a look at some of his greatest illusions. It starts with a disappearing train car. Beautifully done, and scored with the soundtrack from Young Sherlock Holmes. As I’ve noted before, either he or his musical director is a big soundtrack fan.

Next, it’s an escape over some burning spikes, which uses Alan Silvestri’s score for The Abyss.

There’s Copperfield’s version of the classic effect Metamorphosis. Not a soundtrack this time, but Mama by Genesis. Metamorphosis is pretty famous, and Copperfield’s version is a little more elaborate than the original. I also suspect this one requires twins to work – probably not Copperfield but definitely his assistant. But it’s really slick, as you’d expect.

There’s a montage of some other illusions, to the music of Crazy by Seal.

The next illusion is one of my favourites, and I think it was featured on the last David Copperfield show we saw here. It’s the Death Saw, scored with James Horner’s score for Aliens, of course.

I love this illusion. Despite knowing, logically, how it’s done, it’s still almost impossible to believe.

Next, it’s vanishing the Statue of Liberty. This one isn’t quite as great, although the music is, not a movie this time, but Beethoven’s Great Mass in C Minor, one of my favourites.

There’s a montage of some of his sleight of hand tricks. Music: In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, used in Say Anything so it counts as movie music.

The next trick is introduced by James Earl Jones.

It’s an audience participation, where the audience has to do some counting, and they end up on a symbol predicted by David. It’s fairly simple to work out the maths behind this one, but it’s lovely even so.

Next, it’s the walking through the Great Wall of China. Again, not a particular favourite of mine.

Next, he escapes from an imploding building, after escaping from a safe. The music for this is Mozart’s overture to The Marriage of Figaro. This is one I’m less familiar with, but it’s a nicely done illusion, and the final appearance seems suitably mystifying.

Then it’s Flying. Possibly my very favourite of his illusions. Everything about it is beautiful. It’s so close to the way flying works in my own dreams, so it touches something quite deep in me, and Copperfield performs it all really well. The music for this is by Lee Holdridge, for East of Eden.

After this, a trailer for They Think It’s All Over – brand new at the time.

There’s also a trailer for Death Becomes Her.

Then, the start of the Nine O’Clock news, leading with a possible peace deal in the Balkans.

Recording switches to BBC2 a little later, with the end of Felix Dexter On TV, part of the Comic Asides series of one-offs.

There’s a trailer for The Public Eye. And a trailer for Shooting Stars.

Then, an episode of Room 101 featuring Frank Skinner who chooses Action Man, Jokes that bomb, School Food, Sophie’s Choice and Shakespeare.

After this, recording switches, and there’s the end of Sneakers. I love that film.

There’s a trailer for Jennifer Eight. And for Love Bites: Go Now.

Then, an episode of Film 95 with Barry Norman taking a look at the following films:

Of interest (to me) is The Young Poisoner’s Handbook, based on real-life events that happened in various towns very close to where I live.

Tom Brook talks to Billy Crystal about Forget Paris.

After this, recording continues with a trailer for the Last Night of the Proms, and for Omnibus on Isabel Allende.

Then, there’s quite a bit of a film, A Walk on the Wild Side featuring Jane Fonda, but the tape ends before the film ends.

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Another memorable moment from the special was Copperfield's "Flying" illusion. In this act, Copperfield appeared to levitate and fly freely around the stage, captivating viewers with his seemingly impossible abilities. This illusion showcased Copperfield's skill in creating illusions that defy logic and defy what we think is possible. Throughout the television special, Copperfield also took the time to reflect on his career and express his gratitude to his fans for their support over the years. He shared personal stories and anecdotes, giving viewers a glimpse into the life of a magician and the dedication and hard work it takes to master the art of illusion. "David Copperfield 15 Years of Magic" was a landmark event in Copperfield's career, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to pushing the boundaries of magic and entertaining audiences worldwide. His ability to captivate and mesmerize people has made him an enduring figure in the world of magic, and this special celebration of his 15-year mark was a testament to his talent and ingenuity. Through his performances, Copperfield continues to inspire and amaze audiences with his unique blend of storytelling, showmanship, and magic..

Reviews for "The Magic of David Copperfield: 15 Years of Mesmerizing Audiences"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with "David Copperfield 15 Years of Magic". I had high expectations for a show that claims to showcase 15 years of magic, but it fell short. The tricks were predictable and not very impressive. The stage production was also lacking, with minimal props and set design. Overall, it felt like a low-budget magic show and not the grand spectacle that I was hoping for.

2. Mary - 1 star - "David Copperfield 15 Years of Magic" was a complete letdown. I've seen other magic shows that were much more entertaining and mind-blowing. Copperfield's tricks were basic and lacked any wow factor. The pacing of the show was also off, with long pauses between tricks and unnecessary filler. It felt like the show was dragging on and I couldn't wait for it to end. Save your money and find a better magic show to attend.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I've seen David Copperfield perform in the past and was excited to see "David Copperfield 15 Years of Magic". However, I was left unimpressed. The tricks were nothing new or innovative, and I felt like I had seen them all before. The production value was also disappointing, with outdated visuals and a lackluster set. Copperfield's performance felt stale and lacking the energy and enthusiasm that I had expected. Overall, it was a mediocre show that didn't live up to the hype.

4. Tom - 2 stars - As a fan of magic, I was looking forward to "David Copperfield 15 Years of Magic". Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The tricks were not as impressive as I had hoped, and there were moments where I could easily see how the illusions were done. Copperfield's stage presence was also lacking, with minimal interaction with the audience. It felt like he was just going through the motions without truly engaging with the crowd. Overall, it was a lackluster performance that left me wanting more.

David Copperfield's Spellbinding Spectacles: A Retrospective