F for Fake poster

F for Fake

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

7.4(384)19731h 29m4

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.

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Status
Released
Budget
—
Box office
—
Language
English
  • artist
  • manipulation
  • illusion
  • deception
  • ibiza
  • essay film
  • forgery
  • forger
  • trickery

Top billed cast

Behind the camera

Gallery

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Videos

Release dates

  • United StatesUS

    • PremiereNew York Film Festival27 Sept 1975
    • Theatrical (limited)PGCambridge, Massachusetts7 Jan 1977
  • DenmarkDK

    • Theatrical151 Sept 1973
  • FinlandFI

    • TheatricalK-1218 Feb 1976
  • FranceFR

    • Theatrical12 Mar 1975
  • NetherlandsNL

    • Theatrical25 Mar 1976
    • Theatrical6New 4K restoration19 Sept 2024
  • SpainES

    • Theatrical (limited)San Sebastián Film Festival1 Sept 1973
    • Theatrical14 Dec 1973
  • SwedenSE

    • Theatrical (limited)111 Sept 1973

Frequently asked questions

F for Fake was released on 1 September 1973.

Audience reviews

1
  • C

    C_Hickcock

    10/24/2025

    10/10

    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.

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