The Devil's Picturebook (Download)

Adrien

Fantastic download and excellent work from Vanishing Inc for enhancing the footage: it is a pleasure to look at. The effects contained in this download are great (some of them rely on extremely smart methods). A few of them are hard (if not very hard), and will require you to be on top of your card technique and/or of your confidence in the efficiency of your script. Even if you don't intend to perform all of the tricks in this download, the many pieces of advice that Derren Brown gives you throughout this download are worth it!

Amanda

I like this DVD. Derren Brown’s “The Devil’s Picturebook” which definitely gives off 90s vibes, is a cool DVD about card magic. This shows Brown’s early work as a close-up magician, showcasing his exceptional card handling and innovative routines. I am biased because I am a fan of card magic and the DVD/download includes some cool stuff including his take on some traditional card magic ("Card Under Box” (I was very impressed) and “Oil and Water.”). I am also a fan of their version of “Out of this World.” It might be my favorite version of the classic routine. Brown pays attention to audience emotion is is evident throughout making each routine powerful for spectators.

Also, I managed to snag it on sale for $25 so I like the value. “Out of this World” particularly stood out and this showcased Brown’s mastery of psychological subtleties. The Devil’s Picturebook is the lengths of watching the movie Titanic but is a must have for anyone serious or anyone looking to elevate their card magic repertoire.

Kane

This was so awesome. I never really knew derren brown for this type of material and I wish he did it more today! It’s a little old in terms of video quality but you can get over that when going through the material. There is strong card magic here as well as great mentalism effects. It’s broken down in two halves and both are stellar.

David

Peter

If you're looking for the Derren Brown that you see on TV now, you're not going to get those kind of effects on this one. The closest you'll get to this is a few psychological card forces - which are all very good.

The rest of it is his take on some card tricks. All of them are great. And most of the use some moves that you might not be very familiar with. He's got a really cool additional move with double lifts that's very cool.

But the reason that this gets 5 stars isn't really because of any of the tricks or methods. It's really just listening to him talk about how he came up with the tricks. How they evolved or what he was improving on. It's all very cool to see the evolution of him creating something amazing.

Frank

Joe

Peter

Johann

Terry

Michael

Benjamin

Stefan

If people ask me what I would recommend from the Vanishing Inc downloads, it's this. There are some really good tricks in this download, and all explained in great detail. Most of us might talk about Derren as the mentalist, but this shows again his amazing card skills and knowledge. Very happy that this was released again as a download.

The only thing negative is that the aspect ratio is off. But nothing that a download and a video player can't fix.

Aidan

The Devils Picturebook is phenomenal. I really love watching Derren preform. I really like the little subtitles and presentations he thinks about when doing magic. I personally thought his additions to Paul Curry’s Out of this World were really great. And the principle behind Invisible Deal and Invisible Deal Force is simply genius. I laughed to myself like a crazy person when I discovered the method to the trick. It doesn't work 100% of the time but if the spectator is engaged and able to follow along then it should work. Really great!

Matthew

Whether a Derren fan or not - this has great material that everyone will take something from! Leans a little more toward advance in terms of technical skills, but could be worked around if sleights aren't your thing. Highly recommend to all!

Stephen

Derren Brown is a spectacular performer who is very skilled with card magic. Brown does far less with cards nowadays with his television shows and live performances in favor of purely manipulating minds rather than cards as this is where his career has led him. This video captures Brown in an interesting period, where these wonderful card routines are still fresh in his mind and Brown seems to want to gift them to the world of fellow card conjurors as he climbs other mountains. I love the routines and ideas Derren Brown shares in this video. The video is well done in that Brown actually performs each trick to real spectators then Brown brakes down how each routine is done afterwards. The video is broken into two parts. One is dealing with card tricks and the sleights needed to perform them, the other is dealing more with "slight of mind" but still in the realm of cards being used as a prop.

Mustafa

Dustin

Patrick

Robert

Fantastic. This video has so many great effects and techniques. The explanations and videos are very clear and my mind has been sent racing!

Jason

Fantastic!!!

Michelle

Derren Brown is an absolute genius to put it mildly …I’ve just watched the conjuring part, and I was quite impressed with his card handling skills. I guess I had forgotten that he was a card guy prior to focusing on straight mentalism. Definitely worth watching over and over and I loved the “smoke” effect , just have to find a way to adapt it without using cigarettes, which shouldn’t be hard. This set is definitely already paid for itself , and I am only half way through it ….highly recommended!!!

Nate

Praise be to Vanishing Inc. for remastering this absolute magical gem!

Having aquired the holy grail of magic books, (a signed 1st edition of 'Absolute Magic' with full page dedication), as well as the less impressive, yet much better bound third printing of 'Pure Effect', along with Derren's more commercial written works, it left only 'The Devil's Picturebook' to complete my Derren Brown ultimate fan boy collection.

I got this on sale for 50% off and can hands down say it is worth full price! You get so much value for the price, just the first trick alone - (3 Card Routine) - is worth it because of all the small things that make up the entire routine. The DVD/Download would make a great accompaniment to 'Pure Effect' as some of it overlaps, (for example, see page 119 of 'Pure Effect' for 'Smoke' and page 156 for 'Invisible Deal' and 'Invisible Deal Force'). Also, you may learn an invaulable piece of slight of hand with 'Mike's Move' and get a laugh during and after the credits roll.

Roberto

This is a fantastic video containing some really powerful card magic. The quality of the video is superb. For me, the Card Under Box routine is pure gold! The lessons on misdirection can be applied to all of your current magic. I will definitely be doing this material. Thanks Vanishing Inc. for making this available as a download. Bravo!

Andreas

Thanks for remastering this fantastic product. I have only seen some old VHS copies of this in the past and always switched off, because the quality is terrible. Now I am finally able to enjoy this in a fantastic resolution. I don't think I have to say much about the quality of the tricks. It is Derren Brown and he is obviously amazing.

David

Mark

David

Joseph

I had been looking for this for a while, so it was great to see this turn into a download. All of these routines are absolutely genius. I particularly loved his three card routine, his card to box, smoke and his psychological forces. One thing I would say, don't get this if you are a beginner. He mentions some moves that he doesn't explain, so make sure you have a basic knowledge of sleights before getting this. Amazing download, highly recommended

Garry

Excellent, very good video production, Each one starts with a demo, followed by the tutorial, with guests for each one, good camera angles covering all the moves, very enjoyable to watch, very easy to follow. Even if you no the method Derren is using, he makes it feel like something different is going on, as he often puts a twist with in the methods he uses, Derren likes to keep the spectatators engaged while he is performing his card magic, very clever the way he puts his moves togeather, which keeps it interesting, which creates an enjoyable experience, with a great outcome, with ellements of suprise that he produces.
If your allready into card magic, then these will not be difficult to learn.

Rick

This is magic that will make you kick a garbage can and exclaim, "No ! What happened How ! ? "
Or as Brown says. "The real stuff."
And Brown goes into this explaining how important it is for the audience to feel and see the process of mind reading or why and how the effect happened.
If you convince yourself it must have happened by mind control or perception you are entering into Brown's world.
And he opens the door to this world for you to discover and to be able to perform in your own way. He clearly sees this aspect as a must for good magic.
Not just he wrote something down and he shouldn't have known it.
He stresses the importance of the audience seeing the process of mind reading or vision seeing or ? whatever you believe it is you are doing.
No exaggeration there are some routines here that are not published elsewhere and for that you are getting something special, very special.
It's refreshing to feel the attitude from someone who is good at card handling, that Cards are fine but they are just objects and really mean it. Not just being fake humble. At this point it's clear he's walking away from cards. Which is cool, like why am I buying a Card download project from a guy who is developing an indifferent or slightly dissmissive attitude on the barriers card magic can have. :)
Because here is where he shares the next steps for him in the form of Mental Card Mysteries. And these routines are just brilliant and each one is worth many times more than the 40 bucks for the whole project.
I debated weather to buy this Devils' Picturebook, or to buy three or four $10 download lectures.
I learned here that rather than be just a trick monkey you can really blow peoples minds ... give the trick "the space" as Brown says.
Keep in mind still cards but you do get a sense that something special is being born.
The project's asthetics and vibe are awseome and very original. Shot in an interesting location and with perfomances for real people in a living room, dining room setting. Very intimate.
Thanks Vanishing Inc and congrats on all the Success of Brown and for sharing things it seemed he hoped would further performance artists.

marius

Greg

Oliver

David

I am really glad that Derren Brown decided to release this and wanted to thank vanishing inc for making it so easily available. Great product!

Christopher

Amazing to finally get my hands on a copy of this - and rather affordably, all things considered! Really interested to gain insights into how Derren works - and I can't wait to try out some of these techniques myself!

Jorge

Derren is brilliant at mentalism and equally great at cards. His effects are amazing and it's in the realm of intermediate. The famous "Mike's move" was why I picked this up but the entire thing is a must for card people.

Jeffrey

Kane

This DVD only used to be available through a secret backdoor on Derren’s site. It’s a brilliant DVD set full of Derren’s close up effects. When you order this order a mind power deck as well because as soon as you watch “Smoke” you’re going to want to get a mind power deck. Same some postage and just get them together, you won’t regret it ??

Katie

I created an account purely to thank you for bringing back this DVD set! My partner has always been an avid lover of Derren and actually managed to get a copy of the original Devil’s picture book, but it was broken years ago and lost to him ever since. Now I can give him back a piece of his favourite mentalist and I couldn’t be more happy or excited.

Joe

Thank you Vanishing for bringing this product back! I've been looking YEARS for this!! Everything on these DVDs is gold! The card tricks are phenomenal, the mentalism aspect is amazing! GET THIS NOW

Steve

A million thanks to Andi Gladwin and Joshua Jay for making this treasure available once again. The content is exactly what one would expect from the artistry of Derren Brown... wit, economy, psychology and elegance. Though not a necessary pre-requisite, this two disc set is a perfect companion for those who've studied Derren's books, Pure Effect and Absolute Magic. This production marked the turning point in his career as he transitioned from card magician to Mentalist. He unashamedly mixes both genres in several routines, effectively laying the age-old debate to rest. The Devil's Picturebook offers excellent value, priceless routines, some unique and practical moves... all driven by the brilliant psychology of one of our artforms greatest performers.

Tate

The material that is on this DVD set is just absolutely stunning. Without a doubt this is now my favourite peice in my magic library (and I have a lot!)
The effects are practical and I think they will be highly enjoyable to perform.

Buy it!... Study it!... Perform it!...

Russ