Simon Magus is a 1999 British historical mystery drama film directed by Ben Hopkins and starring Noah Taylor and Stuart Townsend.
In 19th century Poland, a Jew named Dovid Bendel (Stuart Townsend) tries to revive his dwindling shtetl village by building a railway station next to it.
The squire (Rutger Hauer) agrees to provide the land, on the condition that Dovid will read his poetry.
A cunning business man (Sean McGinley) is also interested in the land and he tries to compete using money and threats.
Through this all wanders the outcast Simon (Noah Taylor), a man rumoured to have magical powers.