The Best Quotes From 'The Prestige'

Harper Brooks
Updated August 1, 2025 15 items

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The Prestige surprises its viewers with some memorably chilling and thought-provoking quotes. Directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan and released in 2006, the psychological thriller stars Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale as Robert "The Great Danton" Angier and Alfred "The Professor" Borden (respectively) - rival magicians in Victorian London who are obsessed with creating the ultimate illusion. Based on Christopher Priest's 1995 novel of the same name, the movie weaves together suspense and mystery, supported by a strong cast that includes Michael Caine, Scarlett Johansson, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla. Its legacy lies in its exploration of obsession, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between reality and illusion.

Which quotations from The Prestige on this crowd-ranked list leave you pondering the mysteries of magic, ambition, and rivalry? Vote up your favorite lines!

Over 70 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Quotes From 'The Prestige'
This list is dynamically ranked based on user voting. The order reflects the consensus of our voters and is not influenced by paid placements or editorial bias.

  • 1
    18 votes

    A Secret You Can't Find

    A Secret You Can't Find
    Cutter: Now you're looking for the secret. But you won't find it because of course, you're not really looking. You don't really want to work it out. You want to be fooled.
  • 2
    16 votes

    Never Show Anyone

    Never Show Anyone
    Alfred Borden: Never show anyone. They'll beg you and they'll flatter you for the secret, but as soon as you give it up... you'll be nothing to them.
  • 3
    10 votes

    Man's Grasp Can Do Something

    Man's Grasp Can Do Something
    Nikola Tesla: You're familiar with the phrase "man's reach exceeds his grasp"? It's a lie: man's grasp exceeds his nerve.
  • 4
    14 votes

    The Look in their Faces

    The Look in their Faces
    Alfred Borden: You went half way around the world... you spent a fortune... you did terrible things... really terrible things Robert, and all for nothing.
    Robert Angier: For nothing?
    Alfred Borden: Yeah
    Robert Angier: You never understood, why we did this. The audience knows the truth: the world is simple. It's miserable, solid all the way through. But if you could fool them, even for a second, then you can make them wonder, and then you... then you got to see something really special... you really don't know?... it was... it was the look on their faces...
  • 5
    10 votes

    I Love You But Not Today

    I Love You But Not Today
    Alfred Borden: Everything's going to be alright, because I love you very much.
    Sarah: Say it again.
    Alfred Borden: I love you.
    Sarah: Not today.
    Alfred Borden: What do you mean?
    Sarah: Well some days it's not true. Maybe today you're more in love with magic. I like being able to tell the difference, it makes the days it is true mean something.
  • 6
    11 votes

    He Stole My Life

    He Stole My Life
    • Photo:
    Robert Angier: The man stole my life. I steal his trick.