Houdini: Season 1

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 16 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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7.2

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7.2	Your Score
7.2	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 31 Ratings

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Houdini

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Season Details & Credits

History | The History Channel | Season Premiere Date: September 1, 2014

Starring: Tim Pigott-Smith, Megan Dodds, Anthony Cozens

Summary: The rise to fame by Harry Houdini (Adrien Brody) is illustrated in this two-night miniseries.

Genre(s): Drama, Movie/Mini-Series

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E2. Part 2
Air Date: September 2, 2014
tbd
S1:E1. Part 1
Air Date: September 1, 2014

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

Mark A. Perigard

Aug 29, 2014

Many of his tricks here are explained, and the means of execution may only increase your appreciation for his genius. Less convincing is the miniseries’ speculation that the British intelligence agency MI-5 recruited him to act as a spy in the run-up to World War I. Read full review

Allison Keene

Aug 26, 2014

Houdini takes a big bite, and its journey is often fun and fantastical, but its goofy sensibilities would have benefited from a sturdier structure, and what it wants its audience to take away from its subject’s life story is unclear. That said, the miniseries nails the most important thing: spectacle. Read full review

David Hinckley

Sep 2, 2014

The production, and Brody, work hard to elevate Houdini’s routines to metaphor. Read full review

Tony Dayoub

Aug 26, 2014

Houdini lacks emotional depth. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Aug 28, 2014

Brody’s performance is borderline capable within the constraints of an at best mediocre combination of writing and story construction. But Harry Houdini’s incredible story still awaits a master re-telling. And this one doesn’t even come close. Read full review

Neil Genzlinger

Sep 2, 2014

Adrien Brody, was recruited for the title role, and he’s a treat to watch. The script, though, is less than he deserved. Read full review

Brian Lowry

Aug 28, 2014

This is dour, grim and labors to get through a second act that clocks in a half-hour shorter than part one. Read full review

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7.2

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User Reviews

BogKid

Sep 2, 2014

Well this is a weird one. The writing is generally awful. Certainly some of the most stilted dialog heard on TV. The acting is strange. Even Adrian Brody, whom we know is a more-than-capable actor, tends to act like he is appearing in a comic strip. I think that that is my overallWell this is a weird one. The writing is generally awful. Certainly some of the most stilted dialog heard on TV. The acting is strange. Even Adrian Brody, whom we know is a more-than-capable actor, tends to act like he is appearing in a comic strip. I think that that is my overall reaction to the show. It's actually interesting. My wife and I will watch it to the end (first half oily seen so far). BUT, it is essentially a comic strip. Is it planned to be that way. I don't see why it should be so. Is it an accident.The writing is so bad that maybe the only thing missing is the close-captioning appearing in balloons over the characters' heads.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

iheartmoviess

Sep 1, 2014

Oscar winner Adrien Brody does his best with this dreary look at who and what motivated illusionist Harry Houdini, but that isn't enough to propel the mini serie's mediocre writing and overall structure. 'Houdini' feels like a History Channel special on magic tricks rather than a biopic withOscar winner Adrien Brody does his best with this dreary look at who and what motivated illusionist Harry Houdini, but that isn't enough to propel the mini serie's mediocre writing and overall structure. 'Houdini' feels like a History Channel special on magic tricks rather than a biopic with it's overused fast paced cuts and cheesy sound effects. Although the one thing used effectively to draw our attention throughout the series is the spectacle of Houdini's genius.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Seasons & Episodes

51

Series Overview
Season 1

51
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 1, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E2. Part 2
  Air Date: September 2, 2014
- tbd
  S1:E1. Part 1
  Air Date: September 1, 2014