Orson Welles had long been interested in the topic of fakery being an enthusiastic magician as well as international man of mystery so he was an ideal candidate to direct this doco. Or did he turn it into a look at being fake? Whatever the origins, this is one of Orson’s best films, full of energy and brilliance. You occasionally get exhausted but then he pulls another rabbit out of the hat - it's such a "young" movie, with its jump cuts, out-there jokes and cutaways, jaunty tone. MTV before MTV.
And the story has enough meat on it to hold - unlike many Welles films. The story of two forgers is very reminiscent of the Harry Lime tales he would tell on radio - exotic locations (Majorca), shady characters (Elmyr de Hor and Clifford Irving are great talent, the aging gay artist with his "assistant" living off the kindness of strangers with thwarted ambition; and the charismatic writer with a monkey on his shoulder - Warner Bros in the 40s never had better character actors), money and glamour, a sexy girl (Oja Kodar, very fetching - an often nude), and Orson looking dashing and mysteriously despite his weight. The last third isn't as strong mainly because de Hor and Clifford Irving are in it less, but there's still beautiful stuff.
NB William Alland and Peter Bogdanovich get "special thanks" in the credits.
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