Separating the Gems from the Rubble

Jeff McBride - A Magickal Life

Publisher: Donna Zuckerbrot

Creator: Donna Zuckerbrot

Murphy Code: DVDJEFFMCBRIDEMAGICKAL

MSRP: $20.00

At a Glance

For $20 bucks you get an amazingly well produced biographical documentary of Jeff McBride, one of the best performers of our time. Totally Worth it. 4 stars.

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Official Ad Copy

Imagine a magician who reaches into his hat to pull out the rabbit he previously hid there and finds himself not with a bunny but a unicorn. By the time Jeff McBride was a teenager he was appearing on national TV. Since then he has won world renown among lovers of magic and illusion. Whether gracing a stage in Las Vegas or Paris, performing a card trick under you nose, or teaching master class to already accomplished conjurors, he is one of the contemporary masters of the arts of deception. He is also the follower of a spiritual path based on a form of magic that he says, far from being a deceit, is a path to sacred reality.

Running Time Approximately 47min

The Truth . . . By Jeff Stone

Random I-Tunes Song of The Moment: Without Love By Bon Jovi

If you're a fan of McBride, get it. If you're not, get it. If you've never heard of McBride, get it. Get it? This DVD is a documentary style production with interviews of many of McBride's friends, including Eugene Burger. There are a few sort of sections. In no particular order, you have interviews of friends, pivotal moments in McBride's life, his spiritual/religious journey, and let's call it words of wisdom from McBride.

If you are looking for a DVD with tricks, wrong alley. However, if you want to learn and see the progression of McBride's career, right alley. I've always, personally enjoyed biographies of magicians. I just eat that stuff up, so if you like bio's you're in luck.

My favorite parts were the 'words of wisdom' from McBride. He just would say these things in some of the interview segments that would really resonate with me. Finally, my least favorite part, the part I could pretty much have totally done without was the footage of the fire dancing. Some of it was interesting and fascinating, and the interview segments where they discussed it were cool. But one can only stand so much footage of watching people dance in front of a fire.

I'm not here to mock Jeff's beliefs or practices by any stretch. I feel that is one area that is off limits. Those are very sacred and special beliefs for Jeff and many times were part of the Pivotal moments in his life. I just felt that the footage was a bit too long for the average viewer. One other thing that would have been cool would be to see more about the Mystery School and more footage of Jeff performing.

Still, for a fun viewing that doesn't require as much focus as a teaching video, yet still has the magic feel to it, this is the perfect Sunday night biography.

Final Verdict:
4 Stars with a Stone Status of GEM!