X
  • 2008
  • PG
  • Third Rail Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2008
  • PG
  • Third Rail Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m

Summary It is 1926, and Harry Houdini is the most famous performer in the world. Audiences flock to watch him perform his amazing stunts. But the man behind the legend is a tortured soul, having been unable to hear his mother’s dying words. He offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave. When a beautiful bu...

Directed By: Gillian Armstrong

Written By: Tony Grisoni, Brian Ward

  • 2008
  • PG
  • Third Rail Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m
  • 2008
  • PG
  • Third Rail Releasing
  • 1 h 37 m

Death Defying Acts

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 8 Critic Reviews
48
User Score Mixed or Average Based on 10 User Ratings
5.6
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary It is 1926, and Harry Houdini is the most famous performer in the world. Audiences flock to watch him perform his amazing stunts. But the man behind the legend is a tortured soul, having been unable to hear his mother’s dying words. He offers a $10,000 reward to anyone who can contact his mother from beyond the grave. When a beautiful bu...

Directed By: Gillian Armstrong

Written By: Tony Grisoni, Brian Ward

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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View All Cast & Crew

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 8 Critic Reviews
48
25% Positive
2 Reviews
50% Mixed
4 Reviews
25% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 8 Critic Reviews
48
25% Positive
2 Reviews
50% Mixed
4 Reviews
25% Negative
2 Reviews

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
This won't be remembered as one of the prodigiously talented Armstrong's great films (My Brilliant Career, High Tide, Little Women), but it's still 90 percent better than everything else out there.
By Scott Foundas FULL REVIEW
70
Far more diverting and well crafted than its promotion-free release campaign might suggest. Then again, for a film largely based on the notion that "nothing is what it seems," such lowered expectations may actually work in its favor.
FULL REVIEW
60
A minor but satisfying entry in the "what if" historical-fantasy genre.
FULL REVIEW
50
What it lacks is a villain, and magic without danger is simply a parlor trick, which is what the film becomes.
By Ray Bennett FULL REVIEW
40
A handsome contraption that's never very engaging, let alone convincing.
By Dennis Harvey FULL REVIEW
38
The ingredients are there for a cute con game, but instead the movie turns out to be a mushy melodrama.
By Kyle Smith FULL REVIEW
30
Ms. Zeta-Jones is too elegant for the lowlife she's supposed to be, Ms. Ronan isn't endearing enough to be a ragamuffin, and, under Gillian Armstrong's direction, never for a minute do you believe they're mother and daughter.
By Neil Genzlinger FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 10 User Ratings
5.6
30% Positive
3 Ratings
70% Mixed
7 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Mixed or Average Based on 10 User Ratings
5.6
30% Positive
3 Ratings
70% Mixed
7 Ratings
0% Negative
0 Ratings

There are no user reviews yet. Be the first to add a review.

Details

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Production Company Australian Film Finance Corporation (AFFC), Myriad Pictures, BBC Film, Zephyr Films, Macgowan Films, Cinemakers, Film Finance, The New South Wales Film and Television Office, UK Film Council
Release Date Jul 11, 2008
Duration 1 h 37 m
Rating PG
Genres
Tagline There is no escape.
View All Details

Awards

Australian Film Institute
• 1 Win & 6 Nominations
Film Critics Circle of Australia Awards
• 2 Nominations
Screen Music Awards, Australia
• 1 Win & 1 Nomination

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