The film is set in a world where magicians are the most popular and grand of public entertainments, where love is entangled with betrayal, tragedy forever links the two rivals, and nothing seems to get in the way of their mutual obsession.
And perhaps most importantly, The Prestige delves into the mysteries of illusion, a field that has fascinated Christopher Nolan throughout his life.
"What is interesting is that once you understand more about how tricks are constructed, and how the methods work, you will go see magicians and be able to figure out a certain amount of what they do," says the director.
"But what that means is that it is even more impressive when they actually do something you can't figure out, because you are baffled. There is real joy to being fooled in that way, when you think you know how things are done. It is actually more fun."
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