Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Mystery drama

The Magus (1968): Cast & Plot

The Magus (1968) movie poster

The Magus is a 1968 mystery drama directed by Guy Green, starring Michael Caine as Nicholas Urfe, Anna Karina and Anthony Quinn. It runs 1 hour 57 minutes.

Loading streaming availability…
The Magus (1968) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 57m (117 min)
Director
Guy Green
Genres
Drama , Mystery , Fantasy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Magus About?

The premise of The Magus without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Set on a remote Greek island, the film follows a schoolteacher who is drawn into a web of mystery and manipulation, where the line between reality and illusion constantly shifts. He meets the island’s enigmatic magus—a charismatic magician—and a striking young woman, and becomes entangled in their elaborate, psychologically charged mind‑games that test his perception and resolve.

The Magus Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • greek island
  • magician
  • female nudity
  • rural setting
  • psychic
  • paper weight
  • cartomancy
  • tarot cards
  • schizophrenia
  • female topless nudity
  • sunbathing
  • suicide
+38 more
  • interrogation
  • acting performance
  • assuming someone's identity
  • reference to t.s. eliot
  • based on novel
  • goat
  • teacher as protagonist
  • boat
  • ship
  • briefcase
  • english teacher
  • replacement
  • briton abroad
  • briton in greece
  • title same as book
  • school
  • schoolteacher
  • moving in
  • moving
  • book
  • mysterious event
  • mysterious man
  • headmaster
  • school principal
  • english lesson
  • lesson
  • writing on a blackboard
  • classroom
  • playing football
  • playing soccer
  • delivery
  • note
  • voice over letter
  • swimming in underwear
  • taking off shirt
  • airplane
  • publisher
  • writer
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Magus Cast & Characters

Michael Caine leads the cast as Nicholas Urfe, with Anna Karina as Anne and Anthony Quinn as Maurice Conchis. Directed by Guy Green; 18 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Magus

· 14 more
From the director

More from Guy Green

More films directed by Guy Green, best-rated first: A Patch of Blue, Jennifer: A Woman’s Story, The Incredible Journey of Doctor Meg Laurel and The Devil’s Advocate.

Full filmography
Plot

The Magus Plot Summary

What happens in The Magus from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Nicholas Urfe is a young Englishman who takes a teaching post on the Greek island of Phraxos after the previous instructor’s suicide. For him, it’s a chance to sample new surroundings and to escape from his emotionally unstable lover Anne.

Full summary

The whole story of The Magus, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

The Magus Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Magus.

The Magus (1968) ORIGINAL TRAILER
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Magus?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the lead role of Nicholas Urfe?

Details

The Magus Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “Gioco perverso” and “El mago”.

Also known as
  • Gioco perverso
  • El mago
  • Teuflische Spiele
  • Jeux pervers
  • 巫术师
  • En djævelsk leg
  • Маг
  • El dios fingido
  • O Mago
  • Ο μάγος
  • 더 메이거스

Seen The Magus?

FAQ

The Magus FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of The Magus, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Magus?

The Magus runs 1 hour 57 minutes (117 minutes).

When was The Magus released?

The Magus was released on December 10, 1968.

Who directed The Magus?

The Magus was directed by Guy Green.

More films by Guy Green

Who is in the cast of The Magus?

The Magus stars Michael Caine as Nicholas Urfe, Anna Karina as Anne and Anthony Quinn as Maurice Conchis, among 18 credited actors.

Does The Magus have a post-credit scene?

No. The Magus has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app