This movie is a masterpiece -- it is equal parts an insightful essay, a magic trick and a prank. Welles considered it a new type of film -- its subject matter explores what is a forgery/counterfeit vs. what is authentic and the film wrestles with its subject by blurring those lines in a way that is both entertaining and fun. It's a masterclass in editing and a must for any student of filmmaking.
Documents the lives of infamous fakers Elmyr de Hory and Clifford Irving. De Hory, who later committed suicide to avoid more prison time, made his name by selling forged works of art by painters like Picasso and Matisse. Irving was infamous for writing a fake autobiography of Howard Hughes. Welles moves between documentary and fiction as he examines the fundamental elements of fraud and the people who commit fraud at the expense of others.
Quick Stats
7.4
TMDB Rating
376
Votes
1h 29m
Runtime
—
Budget
—
Box Office
—
Return
Key Crew
DirectorOrson Welles
WriterOrson Welles
CinematographyChristian Odasso
ComposerPaul Bertault
EditorMarie-Sophie Dubus
Produced by
SACILes Films de l'AstrophoreJanus Film und Fernsehen
Where to Watch
Streaming
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Criterion Channel
HBO MaxRent
Amazon Video
Apple TV Store
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Critics & Reviews
1 featuredCast
Orson Welles
Self
Oja Kodar
The Girl
E
Elmyr de Hory
Self
Clifford Irving
Self
Laurence Harvey
Self
E
Edith Irving
Self
D
David Walsh
Self
Paul Stewart
Self
R
Richard Wilson
Self
Joseph Cotten
Self
Howard Hughes
Self (archive footage)
R
Richard Drewett
Self
A
Alexander Welles
Self
Gary Graver
Self
Andrés Vicente Gómez
Self
