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On this DVD there are 6 full routines to learn, with 1 hour and 45 minutes of running time. It is broken down into the performances, which are immediately followed by the explanations. Let's get right into it!

1. Michael Finney

Michael presents a Cut & Restored Rope Routine with his special flair for comedy. Not all of the suggestive "lines" in his presentation will fit your style. So, Michael suggests to adapt what you learn to fit your own persona.

In Finney's routine he goes over the basics of the Cut & Restored rope. He also teaches some fanciful moves, misdirection and body positioning.

Michael gives a full break down on how to tie a "Pop-Off" knot, which he uses to end his routine.

Finney uses a lot of comedy by-play with a female spectator to get the most out of his patter...making the whole effect very funny.

2. Dan Harlan

Dan's routine is another version of the Cut & Restored Rope. He too, uses a few funny lines within his patter making his presentation comical.

Dan goes over the basic moves for the C&R Rope, teaches you how to make the piece of rope seem like an endless loop (optical illusion) and shows a "Professor Nightmaresque" type move (strecthing two ropes to be completely even).

Harlan's routine ends with a surprising restoration of the rope which is definitely worth learning.

3. Aldo Colombini

Aldo uses his sense of humor to enhance his rope routine. His presentation is not a true C&R Rope, although he has a bit of this in his routine.

Colombini's routine uses the endless loop idea, again...adding another dimension. Aldo's routine closes with a Silk off rope, which is extremely visual and Magical!

Aldo goes over how to prepare the ends of the rope for any routine. The Silk tie alone, is stellar stuff...making this DVD worth getting.

4. Jeff Sheridan

Jeff's routine, again, covers some classic C&R Rope moves. Although, he performs his entire presentation to Music.

Sheridan's routine includes penatrating his scissors onto the rope. Again, this one visual effect is worth learning!

Sheridan credits many past performers for his inspiration and details how he uses "theatrical cues" throughout his presentation.

5. Ted Lesley

Ted uses some bits from the Classic C&R Rope, as well as "The Professor's Nightmare" for his routine.

Lesley starts off cutting the rope into three equal pieces and then making them Small, Medium and Large (a Reverse Prof. Nightmare).

Ted also teaches how to tie a slip knot into the rope...without letting go of either end. This helps set up his finale.

6. Flip

Flip starts off his routine with a length of rope. He is able to completely remove a small unbroken loop from the rope, which is the focus of the rest of his presentation.

Flip teaches you several moves to get some very visual effects. His use of misdirection and stunning loop-on / loop-off rope presentations makes for fantastic entertainment.

Flip also goes over preparing the rope prior to presentation and how to create the small unbroken loop.

Now the nitty-gritty:

I like this DVD. It has much for you to learn. There are some moves which are repeated, so it does get a bit monotonous at times. For the most part, I would say you need moderate to intermediate skills in order to perform most of these routines.

The Jeff Sheridan teach-in portion bothered me, as he seemed nervous. Not only that, Sheridan is dressed in all black, against a black background (it really appeared as if he had only two arms and a head). However, if you can get past that, his scissors linking onto the rope move is killer and definitely worth adding to any Rope Routine.

Colombini teaching the Silk Off rope effect was the highlight of the DVD, for me. This looks visual!! This will make your Rope Routine look great!!

I was quite impressed by Flip's routine, as well. The surprise removal of a loop of rope, was again killer!! His overall routine, was by far my favorite!

I think there is enough on this DVD to make up a great Rope Routine. Taking ideas from each performer and incorporating them into your act would make for some great Magic!

Although I'm rating this DVD 7 out of a possible 10...I must say...for $20.00 Dollars, you can't go wrong.

Nice review and I've had my eye on this one for a while but had put off buying it as I alredy have a number of rope DVD's.

Looks like I'll have to shell out after all

Great review, I too was contemplating this one.
I hope Michael Finney is not as irritating on this as he is in his live shows.
Still, the beauty of DVD means I can skip that bit!

Freddie old chap the Finlay routine is quite good actually

I have this DVD from my "normal" magic days rather the mentalism and what I can recall for the price it is rather good. There you go Freddie another recomendation from me (never sold you a turkey have i?)

Thank you for the nice compliments on the review. I agree with Markdini...this DVD is no turkey. L&L did a nice job, putting this together.

Thanks chaps, this is one I'll have to get hold of. I'm sure I can get past the fat WWF lookalike with a mullet, shouting his head off!