The Prestige: Myth vs. Reality

The movie The Prestige, released in 2006, is a complex narrative that weaves through many layers of truth and deception. It centers around the rivalry between two magicians, Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, both driven by an insatiable desire for fame and recognition.

Myth and Reality: Borden’s Involvement with the Machine

Your assumption that Borden invented the machine used it and destroyed it is incorrect. Borden had no direct involvement in the creation of the machine, nor was he privy to its secrets. It was Tesla who built the machine, and Borden himself was intrigued and confounded by its engineering.

The Borden Twins and 'The Transported Man'

Borden did have a trick, "The Transported Man," which was entirely reliant on the synchronized efforts of his twin brothers, Albert and Frederick Borden. This trick was based on telepathic communication and required the twins to be in constant contact, even in their daily lives. Borden himself was mystified by the intricacies of how Tesla designed the machine that allowed them to perform such an unbelievable act.

Angier's Descent into Depression and Obsession

Anger, on the other hand, was a brilliant showman but was also highly self-aware, viewing himself as the most intelligent person in the room. When Borden succeeded in performing "The Transported Man," it shattered Angier's confidence. He became deeply depressed, unable to comprehend how Borden had achieved such a feat without his knowledge.

Root and Olivia's Role in Uncovering the Truth

In a moment of desperation, Angier hired Root as a double, hoping to replicate Borden's success. The trick went well, but Angier was unfulfilled because Root was not truly Borden. Driven by his need for fulfillment and superiority over Borden, Angier dispatched Olivia to uncover the secret. Unbeknownst to Angier, Olivia managed to uncover clues pointing towards the Borden twins. However, due to Angier's delusion, he treated Borden as the sole performer of the tricks.

The Evolution of Borden’s Showmanship

Embracing what he believed to be true magic, Borden incorporated Tesla's inventions into his show, including coils and arcing electricity, inspired by the Exposition’s brilliance. The Borden twins had meticulously planned their strategy, knowing that Angier would eventually seek the notebook used for their trick. They then used this to their advantage, encoding the notebook with a cipher.

A Side-Effect of the Machine: Cloning

The film hints that Angier requested a "transporting" machine, but an unexpected side-effect of this device was the creation of an exact clone. This clone proved difficult for Angier to conceal, leading to drastic measures. Angier began to drown the template version of himself during each performance, likely to avoid recognition of the clone. His ultimate goal was to seek revenge on Borden and frame him for a murder, blending the lines between reality and illusion.

Conclusion

The Prestige is a film that plays with the boundaries of truth and reality, challenging the audience to question the reliability of what they see and believe. Borden’s role in the machine’s creation is a myth, and the true secrets lie in the intricate designs and the hidden layers of deception that Angier and Borden engaged in.