Magicians on top at the box office

Hugh Jackman (L), Christian Bale (C) and Michael Caine, stars of the new drama film The Prestige. Picture / Reuters

War raged at the weekend box office in America as the duelling magicians in the period thriller The Prestige vanquished the United States troops in director Clint Eastwood's World War II drama Flags Of Our Fathers.

According to studio estimates, The Prestige sold about $US14.8 million ($22.4 million) worth of tickets during its first three days, while Flags Of Our Fathers flew at number three with $US10.2 million.

The soldiers also were outgunned by the gangsters in Martin Scorsese's The Departed, which held steady at number two with $US13.7 million in its third weekend.