“Death Defying Acts,” released in 2007, presents a blend of fact and invention concerning Houdini’s last months in 1926. The film follows the performer (played by Guy Pearce) as he travels to Edinburgh, Scotland, where he encounters a psychic and her daughter who are attempting to deceive him; Catherine Zeta-Jones and Saoirse Ronan portray these characters. Timothy Spall appears as Harry's watchful tour manager. …

Death Defying Acts, directed by Gillian Armstrong and penned by Tony Grisoni and Brian Ward, features Guy Pearce, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Timothy Spall, and Saoirse Ronan in its cast. The film’s score is composed by Cezary Skubiszewski, with cinematography by Haris Zambarloukos. This isn't a full biography of Harry Houdini; instead, it focuses on one chapter of his life. Death Defying Acts (a misleading title) feels…