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IMDbPro

Death Defying Acts

  • 20072007
  • PGPG
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
10K
YOUR RATING
Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
This is the theatrical trailer for Death Defying Acts, directed by Gillian Armstrong.
Play trailer2:24
1 Video
53 Photos
DramaHistoryRomance
On a tour of Britain in 1926, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) enters into a passionate affair with a psychic out to con him.On a tour of Britain in 1926, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) enters into a passionate affair with a psychic out to con him.On a tour of Britain in 1926, Harry Houdini (Guy Pearce) enters into a passionate affair with a psychic out to con him.
IMDb RATING
5.8/10
10K
YOUR RATING
    • Gillian Armstrong
    • Tony Grisoni
    • Brian Ward
  • Stars
    • Catherine Zeta-Jones
    • Guy Pearce
    • Timothy Spall
    • Gillian Armstrong
    • Tony Grisoni
    • Brian Ward
  • Stars
    • Catherine Zeta-Jones
    • Guy Pearce
    • Timothy Spall
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 36User reviews
    • 54Critic reviews
    • 48Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards

    Videos1

    Death Defying Acts: Theatrical Trailer
    Trailer 2:24
    Watch Death Defying Acts: Theatrical Trailer

    Photos53

    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Guy Pearce and Catherine Zeta-Jones in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Timothy Spall in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Saoirse Ronan in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Saoirse Ronan in Death Defying Acts (2007)
    Holli Mckee and Cloi Mckee in Death Defying Acts (2007)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Catherine Zeta-Jones
    Catherine Zeta-Jones
    • Mary McGarvie
    Guy Pearce
    Guy Pearce
    • Harry Houdini
    Timothy Spall
    Timothy Spall
    • Sugarman
    Saoirse Ronan
    Saoirse Ronan
    • Benji McGarvie
    Malcolm Shields
    Malcolm Shields
    • Leith Romeo
    Leni Harper
    • Leith Romeo's wife
    Ralph Riach
    Ralph Riach
    • Mr. Robertson
    Olivia Darnley
    Olivia Darnley
    • Flower Stall Seller
    Anthony O'Donnell
    Anthony O'Donnell
    • Oily Librarian
    Billy McColl
    • McTavish
    James Holmes
    • Ugly Mug
    Melanie Harris
    Melanie Harris
    • Rose
    • (as Frankey Martyn)
    Aileen O'Gorman
    • Effie - Elderly Seamstress
    Raymond Griffiths
    Raymond Griffiths
    • Music Hall Dwarf
    Shaun Mason
    Shaun Mason
    • Heckler
    Tom Cotcher
    Tom Cotcher
    • Boxer's Manager
    Joanne Cummins
    • Houdini Fan #1
    Carol Robb
    • Houdini Fan #2
      • Gillian Armstrong
      • Tony Grisoni
      • Brian Ward
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Guy Pearce and Saoirse Ronan appeared in Mary Queen of Scots (2018).
    • Goofs
      The opening scene reveals the partially built arches of the Sydney Harbour Bridge behind Houdini as he is lifted to the surface of the water. Houdini died in 1926. Construction of the arches did not commence until 1928.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Benji McGarvie: [narrating] The great Houdini changed our lives. And for a wee short while, we taught him how to love. And me and Mam, we had the here and now. And we had each other.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Lockout (2012)
    • Soundtracks
      The Flowers of Edinburgh
      (uncredited)

      Traditional

      [Played by fiddler in the pub]

    User reviews36

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    6/10
    Another time
    It might be the weakest of the latest "Magicians" movies (see Prestige and the Illusionist, the latter being overseen at the Box office), but it still has one strong central performance by Guy Pearce. I'm wondering when he will be in some top rated material again. Because the book does let him down a bit here.

    He tries everything and he is pretty good in it, but does not have so much to play with, as Ed Norton, Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale. All are great actors and the others have the opportunity in their movies to shine. This being based on "true events" (some of them I guess, without having the complete background scoop on it), it does fall flat on it's back at times (no pun intended). Plus it might be a bit too much worried about the love story, than actually the story of our main character. At least that's how I felt ... still it can make a nice watch!
    helpful•6
    2
    • kosmasp
    • Oct 19, 2010

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • March 13, 2008 (Australia)
      • United Kingdom
      • Australia
      • English
      • Hungarian
    • Also known as
    • Filming locations
      • Fortune Theatre, Russell Street, Covent Garden, Westminster, Greater London, England, UK
    • Production companies
      • Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC)
      • Myriad Pictures
      • BBC Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • 1 hour 37 minutes
      • Color
      • Dolby Digital

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