On loan to the Tate Gallery in London, Da Vinci's 'Madonna and Child' is stolen and replaced with a fake but the American security expert working for Tate aims to recover the original painti... Read allOn loan to the Tate Gallery in London, Da Vinci's 'Madonna and Child' is stolen and replaced with a fake but the American security expert working for Tate aims to recover the original painting and catch the culprits.On loan to the Tate Gallery in London, Da Vinci's 'Madonna and Child' is stolen and replaced with a fake but the American security expert working for Tate aims to recover the original painting and catch the culprits.
- Director
- Writers
- James Daplyn
- Patrick Kirwan
- Bridget Boland(uncredited)
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe ship at the beginning of the picture is the S.S. Moreton Bay. She entered service in 1921 as a passenger and cargo ship. She was used by Australia during World War 2 as an armed merchant and troop transport. She returned to commercial passenger service in 1946 on the London to Sydney route. Her last cruise was in 1956 and she was scrapped in 1957.
- GoofsWhen Mary looks at Paul's watch on his right wrist as Big Ben strikes midnight, he is wearing the watch upside down from his prospective - but so the viewer can see it's midnight as the watch is turned to face the camera.
- Quotes
Paul Mitchell: Mr. Randall, when you open the exhibition, you'll also be opening the strongbox.
- Crazy creditsOpening card: The producers wish to record their thanks to the board of trustees for their generous permission in allowing them to photograph certain sequences of this film in the Tate Gallery.
- ConnectionsReferenced in Ring of Fear (1954)
- SoundtracksPictures at an Exhibition
Music by Modest Mussorgsky (as Moussorgsky)
Arranged and Conducted by Matyas Seiber
Featured review
An enjoyable watch
A security expert, Paul Mitchell (Dennis O'Keefe), working for the Tate Gallery in London, is concerned about the possible theft of a priceless Da Vinci painting. Two other Da Vinci's were recently stolen from galleries in Florence and New York. In both cases, the original was replaced by a near-perfect forgery. When the Tate Da Vinci is ultimately stolen, Mitchell sets out to catch a thief.
Overall, I enjoyed The Fake. Sure, it's never going to be on anyone's Top 10 list, but it had enough going on that I had fun with it. I'm a sucker for a stolen art plot line, so this one naturally appealed to me. From the opening scenes on the crowded dock to the finale as the art thief is revealed, The Fake moves at a nice, but leisurely pace. Having the actual Tate Gallery as a shooting location really helped the "feel" of the film. I've got no complaints with respect to the film's two main leads, O'Keefe and Colleen Gray. There's some definite chemistry between the two - the dinner scene, complete with playful banter, being a good example. The supporting cast is made up of a bunch of British actors that, while not familiar to me, really give the film some color. Finally, the solution to the mystery was satisfactory. We, as viewers, get the chance to figure things out right along (or even quicker) than our hero, Mitchell.
One thing that really bothered me was the security set-up at the Tate. I realize (or hope) that the actual security is different, but as pictured here, anyone could have stolen the painting. From unlocked doors in the basement to open windows to the lack of any alarm system, the painting was practically begging to be stolen.
Finally, IMDb lists The Fake as a crime / drama / film noir. I agree with the first two, crime and drama. And you can even add Mystery. But what about film noir? No way. If you're watching The Fake for the darker elements associated with a noir, you'll be disappointed.
6/10.
Overall, I enjoyed The Fake. Sure, it's never going to be on anyone's Top 10 list, but it had enough going on that I had fun with it. I'm a sucker for a stolen art plot line, so this one naturally appealed to me. From the opening scenes on the crowded dock to the finale as the art thief is revealed, The Fake moves at a nice, but leisurely pace. Having the actual Tate Gallery as a shooting location really helped the "feel" of the film. I've got no complaints with respect to the film's two main leads, O'Keefe and Colleen Gray. There's some definite chemistry between the two - the dinner scene, complete with playful banter, being a good example. The supporting cast is made up of a bunch of British actors that, while not familiar to me, really give the film some color. Finally, the solution to the mystery was satisfactory. We, as viewers, get the chance to figure things out right along (or even quicker) than our hero, Mitchell.
One thing that really bothered me was the security set-up at the Tate. I realize (or hope) that the actual security is different, but as pictured here, anyone could have stolen the painting. From unlocked doors in the basement to open windows to the lack of any alarm system, the painting was practically begging to be stolen.
Finally, IMDb lists The Fake as a crime / drama / film noir. I agree with the first two, crime and drama. And you can even add Mystery. But what about film noir? No way. If you're watching The Fake for the darker elements associated with a noir, you'll be disappointed.
6/10.
helpful•30
- bensonmum2
- Jul 20, 2021
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
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- Also known as
- Der Fälscher
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- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime1 hour 20 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 1.37 : 1
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