The Acrobats (film)

The Acrobats is a 1954 British black and white drama film directed by Gordon Parry and starring John Mills, Moira Shearer, and Richard Attenborough. The film, also known as The Fake, tells the story of a struggling artist in post-war Europe who becomes embroiled in a forgery scheme involving famous artworks. John Mills plays the artist, who is initially reluctant but driven by financial desperation. Moira Shearer plays his love interest, while Richard Attenborough plays a more morally ambiguous character linked to the art world. The film explores themes of morality, poverty, and the allure of easy money in a society recovering from war. Despite its notable cast, the film received mixed reviews and is considered a lesser-known work in the careers of its leading actors. It features location shooting in France and England, adding to its atmosphere of post-war Europe.