Adrien Brody stars in “Houdini”

He was known as Harry Houdini -- the master of illusion, the greatest escape artist of all time. He was larger than life and seemingly invincible. He could wriggle and writhe his way out of a straitjacket or a pair of handcuffs with ease, even when he was upside down.

Yet what's most often forgotten is that he was human, too.

History is taking viewers on a whirlwind, magical adventure that traces Houdini's life from the very beginning in desperate poverty to the height of his fame when he was the hottest act in the world. Check out the man behind the magic when the special two-part miniseries "Houdini" airs Monday and Tuesday, Sept. 1 and 2, on History.

Born Erik Weisz in Budapest, Hungary, Houdini came to the United States with his family at the age of four. When his family changed their last name from Hungarian spelling to German spelling, he became Ehrich Weiss, and his friends would often refer to him as "Ehrie" or "Harry." At just nine years old, Houdini began performing, including a gig as a trapeze artist under the name "Ehrich, the Prince of the Air." He officially became a professional magician in 1891.

History's four-hour adaptation of Harry Houdini's life will be broadcast over two days starting with the first two-hour segment on Labor Day and will conclude the following evening, Tuesday, Sept. 2, with the final two hours. In a news release when the project was first announced, History said the show will "chronicle the life of a man who can defy death through his stunts, his visions and his mastery of illusion," telling the story behind the storied illusionist as he rises to fame and battles through the struggles that entails.

"It's not magic that History has established a strong track record with its high-quality historical dramas from quality auspices. We're excited to build on that tremendous momentum with 'Houdini,'" said Dirk Hoogstra, executive vice-president and general manager of History. "The Great Harry Houdini is a fascinating man in history, and I have no doubt that Adrien Brody will bring the magician's riveting story to life for our audience."

Indeed it will be the Academy Award-winning actor Adrien Brody playing the titular role. Brody, who is most famously known for his work in Roman Polanski's war drama "The Pianist" (2002), is no stranger to dramas. He's also starred in the Oscar-nominated thriller "The Village" (2004) and Wes Anderson's uniquely stylish "The Grand Budapest Hotel" (2014).

Brody seems to be a natural fit for the role of Houdini as well. His mother was born in Budapest, and from a young age he had an affinity for magic, performing tricks at children's birthday parties under the name "The Amazing Adrien." Now, he's gone full circle and is coming back to magic -- albeit in a slightly different way -- and he's more excited than ever to put his stamp on the great magician.

Kristen Connolly in a scene from “Houdini”

"Since my childhood, when I dreamed of being a great magician, Harry Houdini has been one of my heroes," Brody said in a news release. "His bravery and obsessive determination still fascinate me. Houdini mastered the art of escape -- not only from physical chains, but from poverty and the social constraints of a humble immigrant origin. His life story appeals to the universal longing for acceptance with which we all can identify. To portray him is beyond an honor."

Of course, the real Harry Houdini would not have been complete without his lovely stage assistant Bess Rahner. She was a performer as well, working in a song and dance act called "The Floral Sisters" at Coney Island in New York. It was there that she met Houdini and, after a brief stint of being wooed by Harry's younger brother, she fell in love with and married Houdini. Together, Harry and Bess toured the world as "The Houdinis."

Playing the famed magician's wife and stage assistant will be the gorgeous Kristen Connolly ("The Cabin in the Woods," 2012). A former professional tennis player, Connolly got her start in acting in 2003 in the Julia Roberts drama "Mona Lisa Smile." Since then, she's done stints both on television and in film, including time spent in "The Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," "Certainty" (2011) and "The Bay" (2012).

Now, as Bess Houdini, she'll continue steamrolling through 2014, which has proven to be a big breakout year for the 34-year-old. This year has seen her star in season 2 of the critically acclaimed web TV series "House of Cards" alongside two-time Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey ("The Usual Suspects," 1995). She's also nabbed a regular spot in ABC's upcoming thriller "The Whispers" and starred as Desdemona in a theater production of "Othello" with Blair Underwood ("L.A. Law").

Harry Houdini was a pioneer for magicians, illusionists and escape artists. His world-renowned act helped him carve his place in history, but what's forgotten is the fact he's still just a man. Catch the story about the man behind the magic when the special two-part miniseries "Houdini" premieres Monday, Sept. 1, and concludes Tuesday, Sept. 2, on History.