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F for Fake

"A magician is just an actor playing the part of a magician."

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.

Top Cast

  • Orson Welles

    Orson Welles

    Self

  • Oja Kodar

    Oja Kodar

    The Girl

  • Elmyr de Hory

    Elmyr de Hory

    Self

  • Clifford Irving

    Clifford Irving

    Self

  • Laurence Harvey

    Laurence Harvey

    Self

  • Edith Irving

    Edith Irving

    Self

  • David Walsh

    David Walsh

    Self

  • Paul Stewart

    Paul Stewart

    Self

  • Richard Wilson

    Richard Wilson

    Self

Overview

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.

Rating

7.4 / 10
363 Reviews
1 Popular

1 Reviews

  • C_Hickcock
    C_Hickcock
    10 Oct 24, 2025

    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.

Trailers & Clips

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