Theme: Magicians and Sorcerers

The term magician refers to people who wield magic. The term is synonymous and interchangeable with other phrases like wizard, sorcerer or magic user. The cliche figure of the magician is Merlin or Gandalf in long beard, robes and pointy hat, although there is an equal number of black magicians who fulfil villainous roles.

Magicians are most commonly found in Epic Fantasy Films settings usually joining a party of adventurers on a quest. Of recent years, there have been a number of works that take place in contemporary urban settings as well a number of magician superheroes. There have also been several films about stage magicians who have or gain real powers.

Magicians are commonly taken to be a male practitioner of the craft. A female practitioner of magic is usually referred to as a witch or a sorceress – see Films About Witches.

For more detail and an overview of the genre see the Theme Essay Films About Magicians and Sorcerers.