Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
Back
  • Cast & crew
IMDbPro
Walking Through Fires (2011)

Plot

Walking Through Fires

Edit

Summaries

  • O'Brien tells this story to his friend, "Dave", who visits to catch up and reminisce. During his visit, Dave learns of the illusionist's "David vs. Goliath" story where the line between what is real and what is an illusion is unclear.
  • What is real?, What is not?, What is really important? Based on the true story of illusionist Mark O'Brien. A renowned master of illusion, O'Brien is closing in on achieving his dream of opening a magic attraction in Orlando, Florida when two suspicious fires, five days apart, cripple his production company. Investigators call it arson. Pressure mounts as he rebuilds his company, and he discovers that a similar attraction is now under construction. Determined to find out the truth, O'Brien hires two private investigators to get to the bottom of things. They are arrested as they begin to uncover what they believe is a 'major cover-up'. O'Brien tells his story to his life long friend 'Dave' who visits Mark on a business trip.—Anonymous

Synopsis

  • Based on the true story of illusionist Mark O'Brien. A renowned master of illusion, O'Brien is closing in on achieving his dream of opening a magic attraction in the theme park Mecca of Orlando, Florida when two suspicious fires, five days apart, cripple his production company. Investigators call it arson. Pressure mounts as he rebuilds his company, and he learns that a lieutenant is lying to him concerning the details of the investigation days after he discovers that a similar attraction is now under construction. Determined to find the truth, O'Brien hires two private investigators. They are arrested as they uncover what they believe is a "major cover-up ".

    Tortured by what he believes involves corrupt or incompetent law enforcement, O'Brien leaves show business and pursues a career as a private investigator to find out the truth and do the right thing. Five years pass, and O'Brien's new career lands him in Jacksonville, where he meets a woman who persuades him to return to his true passion- show business. Still troubled by the fires and the results of his investigation, O'Brien decides to tell his story in a stage show complete with grand illusions. However, this move to Jacksonville and his brief return to the world of illusion comes with mixed blessings.

    Now in his late forties, O'Brien's choices have forced him into the role of a weekend dad as he begins a new career as a corporate trainer after his wife decides to stay in Orlando with their only son. O'Brien remains undaunted by yet another mid-life crisis, a diagnosis of melanoma, in his quest to get his story out and regain control of his destiny. O'Brien tells this story to his lifelong friend, "Dave", played by television star Bill Kirchenbauer. Dave, who hasn't seen his childhood friend for ten years, visits O'Brien on a business trip to catch up and reminisce about old times. Here, he learns of the "David vs. Goliath" story where the line between what is real and what is an illusion is unclear. It is a story about the way things are vs. the way things should be, a story of right vs. wrong, weak vs. strong, and the stark reality of the human condition vs. the individual's aspirations.

    During his brief visit, Dave must witness O'Brien's pain as Mark battles his demons and strives to find peace and happiness by determining what is important as he is faced with what has become his reality.

Contribute to this page

Suggest an edit or add missing content
  • Learn more about contributing
Edit page

More from this title

More to explore

Recently viewed

Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
Get the IMDb App
Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
Follow IMDb on social
Get the IMDb App
For Android and iOS
Get the IMDb App
  • Help
  • Site Index
  • IMDbPro
  • Box Office Mojo
  • License IMDb Data
  • Press Room
  • Advertising
  • Jobs
  • Conditions of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • Your Ads Privacy Choices
IMDb, an Amazon company

© 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.