<P> The Prestige is a 2006 British - American mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan, from a screenplay adapted by Nolan and his brother Jonathan from Christopher Priest's 1995 novel of the same name . Its story follows Robert Angier and Alfred Borden, rival stage magicians in London at the end of the 19th century . Obsessed with creating the best stage illusion, they engage in competitive one - upmanship with tragic results . The film stars Hugh Jackman as Robert Angier, Christian Bale as Alfred Borden, and David Bowie as Nikola Tesla . It also stars Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine, Piper Perabo, Andy Serkis, and Rebecca Hall . The film reunites Nolan with actors Bale and Caine from Batman Begins and returning cinematographer Wally Pfister, production designer Nathan Crowley, film score composer David Julyan, and editor Lee Smith . </P> <P> The film was released on October 20, 2006, receiving positive reviews and strong box office results, and received Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction . Along with The Illusionist and Scoop, The Prestige was one of three films released in 2006 to explore the world of stage magicians . </P> <P> In 1890s London, magician Robert Angier performs his trick, "The Real Transported Man" to a sold out theater . Rival magician Alfred Borden sneaks under the stage . At the trick's culmination, Angier drops through a trap door and into a waiting water tank, where Borden watches him drown . </P> <P> At Borden's murder trial, Angier's ingénieur John Cutter testifies how Borden pushed the water tank under the trap door to catch and kill Angier during his New Transported Man trick . In prison, Borden is visited by an agent of Lord Caldlow, who offers to care for Borden's daughter Jess in exchange for all of Borden's tricks . As a show of good faith, Caldlow gives Borden a copy of Angier's diary, which Borden reads . </P>

What year does the movie the prestige take place