Penn & Teller's Magic and Mystery Tour

In this delightful three-part series made for Canadian television, magicians Penn and Teller (The Aristocrats) set out to witness for themselves traditions of magic that have been passed down for generations in China, Egypt, and India (typical of the duo, they ingratiate themselves with street crowds and master magicians by performing some tricks of their own). In Beijing, the pair see two amazing acts, one involving the mysterious appearance of 18 bowls from under a magician's cape (there are a handful of performers who spend their whole lives perfecting the trick), and the other an incredible show in which a man changes masks at such great speed (apparently without using his hands) that even slowing down footage taken of the show reveals nothing. Meanwhile, over in crowded Cairo, the boys pursue masters of the famous cups and balls trick (three balls shift positions beneath three cups), and in Calcutta they try their hands (or feet) at firewalking, learn the secrets of a snake swallower, and look for proof that the Indian rope trick was not just a Western myth. DVD extras include bonus footage and production notes. Highly recommended. Aud: P. (T. Keogh)