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Special Features
- Video Introduction by director Peter Bogdanovich
- Audio commentary featuring director of photography Gary Graver
- Orson Welles: One-Man Band (1988), an hour-long investigation of Welles's unfinished projects
- Almost True, a 1992 Norwegian Film Institute documentary on art forger Elmyr de Hory
- 10-minute trailer
- New essay by critic Jonathan Rosenbaum
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
To call Orson Welles's F For Fake a documentary would be somewhat deceitful, but deceit itself is very much the subject of this curious film essay. Welles ruminates on the nature of artistic fakery through two examples, that of infamous art forger Elmyr de Hory and the writer Clifford Irving, whose bogus autobiography of Howard Hughes set off a minor media flurry in the 1970s. Postmodernist that he is, Wells then proceeds to narrate and edit the film in such a perversely frenetic way as to blur the lines between what is real and what is deception, making for an often confusing but engaging work of art in itself. We even see the footage we've been watching as it's being spliced together in Welles's editing room. The specter of Welles's often maligned later career hangs over the proceedings like a challenge--is he going to actually complete this strange movie about chicanery, or will it become one of the many unfinished experiments of his twilight years? Happily, Welles concludes the proceedings with a delightful sequence about Picasso, lust, and what constitutes real art. F For Fake is a fine example of a master filmmaker who had at least a couple tricks left up his sleeve. --Ryan Boudinot
Product Description
Trickery. Deceit. Magic. In Orson Welles' free-form documentary, the legendary filmmaker (and self-described charlatan) gleefully engages the central preoccupation of his career-the tenuous line between truth and illusion, art and lies. Beginning with portraits of world-renowned art forger Elmyr de Hory and his equally devious biographer, Clifford Irving, Welles goes on a dizzying cinematic journey that simultaneously exposes and revels in fakery and fakers of all stripes-not the least of which is Welles himself. Charming and poignant, F for Fake is an inspired prank and a searching examination of the essential duplicity of cinema. Criterion's two-disc DVD edition also features an introduction by Peter Bogdanovich, audio commentary by director of photography Gary Graver, an hour long documentary on Welles' unfinished projects, a documentary on the life and works of de Hory, and the theatrical trailer.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
42 of 45 people found the following review helpful
By Ludix
VINE™ VOICE
Format:DVD
I thoroughly enjoyed this amusing quasi-documentary. But then, I'd sit through 90 minutes of Orson Welles sitting in front of a white sheet talking about anything. Has there ever been a more spellbinding narrative voice? His voice-over for the trailer of STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE made it sound like the Second Coming of Christ!
Some of the other reviewers here sound as if they could use some Ex-Lax. Chill out, will ya? This isn't supposed to be a profound statement. The old man's just having a little fun.
Having said this, I will immediately contradict myself by noting that the scene in which Welles ruminates on the longevity of art while contemplating Chartres Cathedral touched me deeply. In the context of his tattered career, and the ever-growing stature of his masterpiece CITIZEN KANE, it suggests that Welles at last attained some measure of peace with his life and achievements.
The DVD itself looks and sounds terrific.
Some of the other reviewers here sound as if they could use some Ex-Lax. Chill out, will ya? This isn't supposed to be a profound statement. The old man's just having a little fun.
Having said this, I will immediately contradict myself by noting that the scene in which Welles ruminates on the longevity of art while contemplating Chartres Cathedral touched me deeply. In the context of his tattered career, and the ever-growing stature of his masterpiece CITIZEN KANE, it suggests that Welles at last attained some measure of peace with his life and achievements.
The DVD itself looks and sounds terrific.
18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
His last major work as a filmmaker, Orson Welles' "F for Fake" (1973) survives as a rough-edged yet provocative essay on the art of fraud. In this instance, we have three noted subjects: art forger extraordinaire Elmyr de Hory, Clifford Irving (the novelist who conned the world as Howard Hughes' "authorized biographer") and Welles himself. Editing plays a vital role as the Great Orson maintains his semi-documentary juggling act for 90 minutes. Fittingly enough, "F for Fake" reveals more about the creator of "Citizen Kane" than the minor curiosities he examines. Welles ends his cinematic odyssey with an affectionate wink.
17 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By TUCO H.
Format:VHS Tape
Orson Welles' only color film is THE ULTIMATE PROOF OF 'MISE EN SCENE' HAPPENING AT THE EDITING STAGE. Most of this film was shot by Francois Reichenbach before Welles got involved with it. Reichenbach didn't know what to do with his footage--how to best put it all together--so he asked Welles, whom he greatly admired, to see what he could do. Welles shot some scenes featuring himself to go around the documentary footage, came up with a narrative concept and EDITED everthing. The result? WELLES' PERSONALITY TOOK OVER. This is unmistakably a film that only Orson Welles could make. Welles uses his ingenious narration and every trick known to film editing to weave a philosophical meditation on the nature of truth and lies that has DEEP universal significance, but also particularly applies to the nature of all 'ART-ifice.' It's a very intellectual as well as supremely entertaining film which requires at least 5 viewings to even begin to be appreciated.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Orson's BEST FILM EVER!
This film really shows how talented Orson Welles was. Also he's not acting in this essay film so we get to experience Mr. Welles as he was in his everyday life. Read more
Published 1 month ago by na
5.0 out of 5 stars
A rare video
I am glad I got this entertaining video. I is well edited and the way it tales the story is sort of comical. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Alex Echeverria
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fun and interesting film, based on Clifford Irving's book: Fake!
This fabulous film was Orson Welles' last major movie, inspired by Clifford Irving's book FAKE!
FAKE! Read more
FAKE! Read more
Published 2 months ago by Josh
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected
There were some interesting elements to this documentary, but it was not what I expected. I lost interest halfway through but kept watching to make sure that I wouldn't miss... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Cynthia Hawthorne
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great movie
This is a marvelous movie. Thought provoking, well acted and written, beautifully done. Don't miss this great Orson Wells film.
Published 3 months ago by Big M
5.0 out of 5 stars
Unexpected
Never saw an Orson Welles film before. (Saw "Third Man" long ago, was bored.) This thing though, wow. Unexpectedly awesome. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Alexander Tarnas
5.0 out of 5 stars
A spectacularly sprightly swan song
Orson Welles opens "F for Fake" on an ominous note, with a seeming return to the same sort of spooky old Parisian train station he previously showed us in 1962's The Trial. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Seńor Spook
2.0 out of 5 stars
Difficult to Watch.
Viewed: 5/12
Rate: 3
5/12: More like Y for Yawn...the film contains two annoying aspects: long winded narration and overdone guerilla film editing. Read more
Rate: 3
5/12: More like Y for Yawn...the film contains two annoying aspects: long winded narration and overdone guerilla film editing. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Austin Somlo
4.0 out of 5 stars
Welles The Magician
Welles was a magician, and this is his legacy. He liked to provoke and here's the proof. Unlike his unfinished projects, this should be a pleasure for film buffs. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Carl Zand
2.0 out of 5 stars
A+ Concept, C- Execution
A dissertation on liars, cheats, counterfeiters and forgers by Orson Welles that never settles on a subject, shooting style, genre or personality. Read more
Published on March 10, 2011 by drqshadow
