Magicians of India, 1940

This 1940 Castle Films newsreel, a 10-minute gem by an uncredited director, blends colonialist awe with jaw-dropping Indian fakir magic. Shot in black-and-white, it captures real-time, unedited feats—rope tricks, levitations, or basket escapes—that baffle even modern eyes. Dripping with dated Western fascination, it marvels at "mysterious" skills, showcasing street performers in turbans against bustling bazaars. A mix of exoticism and genuine wonder, it’s a time capsule of pre-war filmmaking and illusion.