The film's writer John Fowles has a minor role as a boat captain. George Pastell as Andreas and the Priest.The final scene, which may be interpreted as a coda, concerns Nicholas' relationship with Anne, and whether or not it will continue. The story climaxes with a 'trial' directed by Conchis, with Nicholas (and many others) participating. Ultimately, these events begin happening off the estate as well at unexpected times and places, raising questions as to how much power and control Conchis can actually exercise over others' lives. Many are related to (or are re-enactments of) past events from Conchis's life. Is he a psychiatrist? A film producer? A Nazi sympathiser? Or a magician who controls the lives and destinies of those around him? Nicholas quickly begins to lose his grip on reality, sinking deeper into Conchis's game.ĭuring visits to Conchis's estate, Nicholas has a series of experiences which gradually become more unexpected and bizarre.

On being introduced to the couple, Nicholas' life begins to unravel, and he tries to find out who the mysterious Conchis really is. However, he soon becomes involved with a reclusive man named Maurice Conchis, who owns an estate on the opposite side of the island, and has a beautiful young woman named Lily as his companion. For Nicholas, it is a chance to sample different surroundings and an opportunity to escape from a relationship with his emotionally unstable lover Anne.Īt first, Nicholas' life on Phraxos is uneventful but peaceful. Nicholas Urfe is a young Englishman, who has taken a teaching position on the Greek island of Phraxos, following the previous instructor's suicide. It starred Michael Caine, Anthony Quinn, Candice Bergen and Anna Karina. The screenplay was written by John Fowles, based on his 1965 novel of the same name. The Magus is a 1968 British mystery film directed by Guy Green.

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