The Magus (1968)

This film adaptation of John Fowles' acclaimed novel, scripted by the author, is sumptuous, presumptuous--and dead. Michael Caine alternately looks suspicious and confused as a British poet-turned-teacher, newly-arrived on the Greek island of Phraxos, who is 'summoned' to the seaside estate of Anthony Quinn, who claims to be psychic. Quinn's mysterious Maurice Conchis may be alive or dead--but don't call him a ghost. He tells the young man of his childhood--a life that may never have happened--and of a test he underwent during the war, perhaps a time that is intersecting now with the present. Conchis' long-deceased true love suddenly appears and flirts with the teacher, though she tells him she's an actress hired by Conchis, who is really a movie producer. Gorgeously-presented film is a curiosity that soon loses its captivating sheen (it doesn't so much fall apart as it does roll over). Caine's past love affair with a volatile, apparently promiscuous French airline hostess is full of melodrama (and a coy sex scene) which keeps intruding on the narrative; we are, of course, to see that the teacher's path in life will always lead back to the beginning, but with this rocky affair it only seems like a dead end. Candice Bergen is the otherworldly seducer, and she certainly speaks like one (almost as if she were dubbed). If all the world's a stage, the curtains come down on this charade after about an hour. ** from ****

I saw The Magus in 1968 in Tokyo, Japan where I was stationed in the Air Force. I was with four other airmen who were bored looking for something to do in one of the world's largest cities.One of the guys in our group had apparently read the book and suggested we go see it. "It will be a wild ride!", he said. By the time we walked out of the cinema we were, 1. In love with Candice Bergen. 2. Totally confused what point the movie was trying to convey.The guy who had read the book? "I, uh, didn't really understand the book either. I was kinda hoping the movie would clear up my confusion."It failed.

As an underage Coast Guardsman on liberty in a strange town I found the big screen version of this film a fantastic relief from the confusion of the era. Candice Bergen knocked my socks off, Anthony Quinn was my favorite actor. Michael Cain's character was my alter ego. The cinematography is better than outstanding. Sex, violence and horror were equally balanced by beauty, love, courage and integrity. You know how there are scenes in movies that stick with you long after the film is over, like Sixth Sense with "I"m ready tell you my secret..."? There is one scene on the Veranda of the Greek Estate where Anthony Quinn summarizes the meaning of life with one sweep of his hand. During the past thirty-eight years I have thought of that scene frequently and it helps transcend cynicism from feeling defeated. Several weeks after my first viewing I went to see The Magus again with a woman who was experienced with Tarot and had studied Greek and Egyptian mythology. It seemed even more interesting when she explained the meaning of the symbolism as it related to the flow of the story and added a great deal to the meaning, and the fun. People who often wonder, "What would God want me to do?" may find this film troubling. A previous commenter mentioned the TV version with ads and I couldn't agree more. I would like to get this on DVD and watch it again. Any thoughtful person would like The Magus.

I don't like many movies at all, I feel pretty dumb for rating a movie I haven't seen for 37 years, and I seldom like one so much that I run out and but the book. But I did, and I liked it too.Without giving away the ending, I think it's safe to say this much: I despise stories based on the supernatural or mysteries that remain unsolved. Let me just add that this movie makes you wonder what magic a benevolent psychotherapist might work if he could cheat in the service of salvation--if, for the sake of delivering a man from himself, no holds were barred.I was 29 years old when I saw this movie, and things were different in 1968, but I still like movies I can easily follow. It surprises me to read that _The Magus_ is vague or confused. If I got it, anybody would. _The Ipcress File_ had introduced me to Michael Caine in 1965, but I'm not sure I'd seen Candace Bergen before. She was never so beautiful.