Night Magic 1985 is a Canadian musical fantasy film directed by Lewis Furey. The film combines various elements such as drama, romance, music, and fantasy to create a unique and enchanting cinematic experience. Set in a bustling city, Night Magic revolves around the lives of a group of struggling artists and musicians who are brought together by a mysterious and magical stranger named Zachary. As the story unfolds, the characters go on a transformative journey filled with love, self-discovery, and the power of music. The film showcases a beautiful blend of live-action and animated segments, making it visually stunning and captivating. The music plays a central role in the film, with each character expressing their emotions and experiences through captivating musical performances.
The film is in fact a very biblical and religious fairy tale and Carol Laure is not only a perfect angel but she is the Virgin Mary and Suzanne all wrapped up into one brunette Marianne. A modern fairy tale lost and forgotten in a Quebec winter.How odd in the Age of Beyonce and Lady Gaga and COVID to think that a film like this could ever be made.And yet it was.Another era.In 1964 Leonard was at the perfect age and the perfect time. And in the perfect country; Trudeaus Canada the land of peace.Hope and brilliance were in the air.One day in 1965 my old friend then young now-deceased Alex Gottlieb announced to me that Leonard was writing songs and singing.At the University of Toronto, we knew him only as a poet a protege of Irving Layton.Alex put on the scratchy disk.”Susanne takes you down to her place by the river/ you can hear the boats go by/ you can hear the river answer…”What?An awful voice tuneless like fingernails on a chalkboard…..hopeless he was. There was no future for this unknown Canadian poet. Who the hell wants to hear songs about razor blades in the age of the Midnight Rambler? Alleluia. It’s ironic and fitting that Night Magic which he wrote with Lewis Furey should remain unknown hidden in the amnesiac snows of Canadian Cultural History. Like all things Canadian which do not exist until they exist in the outside world until they are recognized and lauded by the Americans or the British or God forbid the French. Night Magic disappeared into the night. I feel guilty about Night Magic and this article is by way of an apology to make amends to this little gem of a film playing that singing poet. I feel guilty because I did not go to Cannes when the film was accepted into the Directors Fortnight Category. I feel guilty for not walking the red carpet with the paparazzi screaming “Over here! Over here!”. I feel guilty because I helped bury the film by not suiting up and showing up. Because you see, this film is a gorgeous work of art musically and visually imaginative and more than deserves to be remembered. The film is about lost love and love found and lost again and the egocentric selfishness of the artist and his obsessions with himself and the consequences thereof. In the context of the larger picture I was perfect for the part at the time. My Salad days though slightly wilted.When Carol asked me to star in it while shooting Bobby Roths Heartbreakers with Peter Coyote I balked.I’m neither a singer nor a dancer and Michael was both. Stage fright paralyzed me.” I know you can do it” Carol told me. We had worked together on several films going back to the time of John Hirch’s CBC and Gille Carl. So I took the leap.Rehearsals began in Montreal a month before principal photography and that time I learned to sing and dance. Somewhat. I did it all by the numbers with much help from some marvelous people.But my voice was to be Lewis. I had done this sort of dubbing thing before when I filmed the rock star in “Blame it On the Night” original story by Mick Jagger. I gave a concert for 3 days at the San Diego Sports Arena singing in Ted Neeleys Voice ( Jesus Christ Superstar) in a 4-octave range and blowing out my voice in front of 10,000 people I was on stage with Billy Preston and Mary Clayton. Faking it. Pretending. An actor’s utter madness. But no risk no gain. And here’s the kicker.No gain means no fame and vice versa. Cosmic law in showbiz.And as Charlton Heston once told me while shooting a film called Motherlode with Kim Bassinger directed by Heston and written by his son Fraser: ” The trouble with showbusiness is that its business that is show and show that is business.” Ya cant win unless you get the loot.Leonard never cared much about the loot.
I gave a concert for 3 days at the San Diego Sports Arena singing in Ted Neeleys Voice Jesus Christ Superstar in a 4-octave range and blowing out my voice in front of 10,000 people I was on stage with Billy Preston and Mary Clayton. I say geniuses because there is no doubt that Leonard Cohen remains one of the great legends in music history, poetry, and writing in the latter part of the 20th century in the period known as the 60s.
The music plays a central role in the film, with each character expressing their emotions and experiences through captivating musical performances. The soundtrack of Night Magic 1985 features iconic songs by various artists, including Jon Hassell, Carole Laure, and Lewis Furey himself. The film not only explores the themes of love and artistic expression but also delves into the concept of night magic - the idea that there is a magical and transformative quality to the nighttime.
Night Magic
Night Magic is a 1985 Canadian-French musical film written by Leonard Cohen and Lewis Furey and directed by Furey. The film stars Nick Mancuso as Michael, a down-on-his-luck musician whose fantasies begin to come true after he meets an angel (Carole Laure). The film’s supporting cast includes Stéphane Audran, Jean Carmet, Frank Augustyn, Louis Robitaille, Anik Bissonnette, Nanette Workman and Barbara Eve Harris.
I starred in Night Magic. And I feel guilty about it. A marvelously original musical by two geniuses: Leonard Cohen and Lewis Furey. Take a listen. Find this lost Canadian film. I say geniuses because there is no doubt that Leonard Cohen remains one of the great legends in music history, poetry, and writing in the latter part of the 20th century in the period known as the 60s. As for Lewis well take a listen.
Carole Laure and Nick Mancuso in Night Magic
Leonard Cohen. A legend. Night Magic the unknown unsung movie he wrote starring myself, Carol Laure, Stephan Audron, Jean Carmet, directed by Lewis Feury ~ his first time at the bat. Cinematography by Philippe Selot. Choreography and dancing by Eddie Toussant Ballet de Montreal and Frank Augustine of the National Ballet of Canada.
A class act of a film and a complete flop. It reflected a time of mythic figures in cinema: Fellini, Kurosawa, Godard. And music: The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Jim Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Bob Dylan, and from the frontier country of olden Canada… Leonard Cohen, Joni Mitchel, Neil Young, Gordon Lightfoot, and all the other illuminated crazies that infused my generation with the sheer force and hope for a shimmering bright new future. It reflected the echoes of a time that would once and all-time end the war to end all wars. And bring about a time of peace and love. To my mind at least this was the subtext of Night Magic. Yes, it was to be peace and love and this unknown little film spoke about it all. Success. Fame. Love. Immortality.
Night Magic is a 1985 Canadian-French musical film written by Leonard Cohen and Lewis Furey and directed by Furey. The film stars Nick Mancuso as Michael, a down on his luck musician whose fantasies begin to come true after he meets an angel (Carole Laure). The film’s supporting cast includes Stéphane Audran, Jean Carmet, Frank Augustyn, Louis Robitaille, Anik Bissonnette, Nanette Workman and Barbara Eve Harris.
Night Magic 1985 is a true cult classic that continues to captivate audiences with its imaginative storytelling, stunning visuals, and captivating musical numbers..
Reviews for "The Visual Effects of "Night Magic 1985": Pioneering the Use of Practical Magic"
1. Jane Smith - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Night Magic 1985". The plot was confusing and all over the place, making it difficult to follow and understand what was going on. The story also lacked depth and character development, leaving the audience feeling disconnected from the characters. The acting was average at best, with some performances feeling forced and unnatural. Overall, I found "Night Magic 1985" to be a forgettable and underwhelming movie.
2. John Doe - 1 star
"Night Magic 1985" was a real letdown. The musical numbers were lackluster and unmemorable, failing to capture the excitement and energy that I expected. The choreography was uninspiring and did not impress me at all. Additionally, the film's attempt to fuse different genres such as musical and fantasy fell flat, resulting in a disjointed and confusing narrative. The characters were one-dimensional and underdeveloped, making it hard for me to care about their story. I cannot recommend "Night Magic 1985" to anyone looking for a captivating musical experience.
3. Emily Johnson - 2 stars
I had high hopes for "Night Magic 1985" but found it to be a disappointment. The pacing was slow, and the story never seemed to gain momentum or capture my interest. The musical numbers were forgettable and unoriginal, lacking the charm and catchy tunes of other musical films. The special effects were also dated and failed to impress. While the film had potential in terms of its concept, it fell short in execution, resulting in a lackluster and forgettable experience.
4. Michael Thompson - 1 star
"Night Magic 1985" was a complete waste of time for me. The music was forgettable and failed to make any impact. The overuse of synthesizers and electronic sounds felt out of place and did not enhance the overall experience. The plot was weak, and the characters lacked depth and complexity. The film never managed to engage me emotionally, leaving me feeling detached and uninterested. Overall, I would not recommend "Night Magic 1985" to anyone looking for a worthwhile musical or fantasy film.