RATING★ 6.5/10
VERDICT HIT
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) movie backdrop
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) movie poster

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Hit or Flop?

Rating
6.5/10
🎯Verdict
HIT
👍 GOOD
  • Engaging Storyline
  • Strong Performances
👎 BAD
  • Pacing issues in mid
  • Predictable ending
201492 minDocumentary
Audience VerdictHIT
Box Office ClassStandard

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Movie Hit or Flop?

HIT

Verdict:Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a confirmed HIT based on our analysis of audience ratings and box office momentum.

With a rating of 6.5/10, it has delivered a mixed experience for fans of the Documentary genre.

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Worth Watching?

Answer: Yes, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Documentary movies.

It features a runtime of 92 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to general audiences.

6.5/10 35 votes
92Minutes
2014Release Year
Visual Story
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Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Review

Last updated: January 18, 2026

🎬 Detailed Premise & Narrative Foundations

Released in the dynamic cinematic landscape of 2014, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles emerges as a significant entry in the Documentary domain. The narrative core of the film focuses on a sophisticated exploration of The extraordinary life of Orson Welles (1915-85), an enigma of Hollywood, an irreducible independent creator: a musical prodigy, an excellent painter, a master of theater and radio, a modern Shakespeare, a magician who was always searching for a new trick to surprise his audience, a romantic and legendary figure who lived only for cinema. Unlike standard genre fare, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles attempts to deconstruct traditional tropes, offering a conventional take on its central themes.

🎭 Cast Performances: A Masterclass

The success of any Documentary is often anchored by its ensemble, and Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles features a noteworthy lineup led by Simon Callow . Supported by the likes of Christopher Welles and Joanne Hill Styles , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.

Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.

💡 Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?

In summary, our editorial assessment of Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles (2014) is mixed. With an audience rating of 6.5/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Plot Summary & Detailed Storyline

Quick Plot Summary: Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a Documentary film that presents a compelling narrative that engages viewers from start to finish. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Ending Explained & Final Analysis

Ending Breakdown: Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles concludes its story with a mix of closure and open interpretation. The finale presents its approach to documentary resolution.

The conclusion addresses the core thematic questions, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.

Ending Analysis:

  • Narrative Resolution: The story concludes by addressing its primary narrative threads, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
  • Character Arcs: Character journeys reach their narrative endpoints, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
  • Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the documentary themes established throughout the runtime.

The final moments of Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.

Who Should Watch Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles?

Worth Watching If You:

  • Enjoy Documentary films and don't mind familiar tropes
  • Are a fan of the cast or director
  • Want solid genre entertainment

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Box Office Collection

Metric / RegionCollection (Approx)
Production Budget $813.5K
Trade Verdict CLEAN HIT

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Budget

The estimated production budget for Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is $813.5K. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.

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Full Cast & Crew of Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

  • Simon Callow – Self - Actor and Welles' Biographer
  • Christopher Welles – Self - Orson's Oldest Daughter
  • Joanne Hill Styles – Self - Orson's Classmate
  • Norman Lloyd – Self - Actor
  • Julie Taymor – Self - Stage and Film Director

Top Highlights

Simon Callow
Simon CallowSelf - Actor and Welles' Biographer
Christopher Welles
Christopher WellesSelf - Orson's Oldest Daughter
Joanne Hill Styles
Joanne Hill StylesSelf - Orson's Classmate
Norman Lloyd
Norman LloydSelf - Actor
Julie Taymor
Julie TaymorSelf - Stage and Film Director
Paolo Cherchi Usai
Paolo Cherchi UsaiSelf - G. Eastman House Curator
Peter Bogdanovich
Peter BogdanovichSelf - Filmmaker
James Naremore
James NaremoreSelf - Writer and Film Scholar
Elvis Mitchell
Elvis MitchellSelf - Film Critic
Jonathan Rosenbaum
Jonathan RosenbaumSelf - Film Critic

Where to Watch Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Online?

Streaming Hub

📺 Stream on

Cohen Media Amazon ChannelCohen Media Amazon Channel

🎟️ Rent on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TVApple TV
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

🏷️ Buy on

Amazon VideoAmazon Video
Apple TVApple TV
Google Play MoviesGoogle Play Movies
YouTubeYouTube

Parents Guide & Age Rating

PG-13
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is rated PG-13. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

Final Verdict

Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 6.5/10, and global collection metrics, Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2014 cinematic year.

Official Trailer

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles movie hit or flop?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles has received mixed reviews with a 6.5/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.

Is Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles worth watching?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Documentary movies, but read reviews first.

Where can I watch Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles online?

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles is currently available for streaming on Cohen Media Amazon Channel. You can also check for it on platforms like Cohen Media Amazon Channel depending on your region.

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How Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles Compares & Where it Ranks

Critic Reviews for Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles

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movieMx Verified

This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.

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Expert Consensus
Live Rating
MOVIEMX
★ 6.5
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles
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