Simon Magus (1999)
A dark, folkloric fable about a cursed outcast, a devilish whisper, and a community torn apart by greed and suspicion.
Simon Magus - Movie Information
- Original Title: Simon Magus
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Ben Hopkins
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Mystery, Drama, Fantasy
- Runtime: 1h 41m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 17, 1999 (Germany), March 30, 2001 (United States)
- Production Companies: Lucky Red, ARP Sélection, Goldwyn Films, Jonescompany Productions, Hollywood Partners, Arts Council of England, Film4 Productions
- Production Countries: France, Germany, Italy, United Kingdom, United States of America
Simon Magus - Plot
Simon is an outcast from his Jewish community because he claims that the devil talks to him and he has the ability to put curses on crops. When Dovid asks the ‘Squire’ to sell him some land so he can build a railway station, a ruthless businessman from the neighbouring gentile community uses Simon to find out who wants to buy the land so he can ‘persuade’ him otherwise.
Simon Magus - Trailer
See the world of Simon Magus come to life in the official trailer below.
Misfit. Outcast. Turncoat. Prophet. Hero.
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Simon Magus - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ben Hopkins
Main Cast
- Noah Taylor
- Stuart Townsend
- Sean McGinley
- Embeth Davidtz
- Amanda Ryan
- Rutger Hauer
- Ian Holm
- Terence Rigby
- Toby Jones
- Jim Dunk
Writers
- Rob Cheek
- Ben Hopkins
Producers
- Robert Jones
Simon Magus - FAQs
Who plays Simon in Simon Magus?
Noah Taylor plays the title role of Simon, the troubled Jewish outcast who claims the devil speaks to him. The film also features Ian Holm as the devil himself, alongside Stuart Townsend, Embeth Davidtz, Rutger Hauer, and Toby Jones in a richly assembled ensemble cast.
What is Simon Magus about?
Simon Magus follows a social outcast in a 19th-century Eastern European Jewish village who believes the devil speaks to him. When a land deal to build a railway station ignites tensions between the Jewish community and a ruthless local businessman, Simon is manipulated into the conflict with far-reaching consequences.
Who directed Simon Magus?
Simon Magus was directed by Ben Hopkins, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Rob Cheek. It stands as one of Hopkins’ most distinctive works, blending Jewish folklore, dark fantasy, and period drama in a visually atmospheric setting.
What is the role of the devil in Simon Magus?
Ian Holm plays the devil — appearing under the names Sirius and Boris — as a shape-shifting, mischievous presence who whispers to Simon throughout the film. His portrayal is playful yet unsettling, blurring the line between supernatural manipulation and Simon’s own fractured perception of reality.
When was Simon Magus released?
Simon Magus had its initial release on February 17, 1999 in Germany, before reaching United States audiences on March 30, 2001. The film was a co-production spanning France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
What genre is Simon Magus?
Simon Magus blends Mystery, Drama, and Fantasy into a distinctive period piece. Set in a 19th-century Eastern European Jewish shtetl, it weaves folk superstition and devilish intrigue into a grounded story of community, prejudice, and survival — making it a genuinely hard film to pin down.
What are movies similar to Simon Magus?
If Simon Magus appeals to you, you might enjoy Simon, the Magician (1999), Nine Days (2021), or The Shepherd (2023). For films with similar themes of outcasts, folklore, and moral ambiguity, A Big Bold Beautiful Journey (2025) and Slumberland (2022) also make for compelling viewing.
How long is Simon Magus?
Simon Magus runs for 101 minutes — just over an hour and forty minutes. It’s a measured, atmospheric runtime that gives the film room to build its folkloric world and develop its eccentric, memorable characters without overstaying its welcome.
More About Simon Magus
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