Schwarz und weiß wie Tage und Nächte (TV 1978)

A scientist who swore off playing chess after a nervous breakdown as a boy wunderkind, creates an undefeated chess program. But the Russian world champ beats Tommy Rosemund's masterwork in ... See full summary »

Director:

Wolfgang Petersen

Writers:

Jochen Wedegärtner (teleplay), Karl Heinz Willschrei (teleplay),

Stars:

Bruno Ganz, Gila von Weitershausen, René Deltgen

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bruno Ganz	...	Thomas Rosemund
Gila von Weitershausen	...	Marie Rosemund
René Deltgen	...	Lindford
Ljuba Tadic	...	Stefan Koruga (as Ljubo Tadic)
Alexander Hegarth	...	Vater Rosemund
Joachim Wichmann	...	Grünfeld
Markus Helis	...	Thomas als Kind
Elke Schuessler	...	Marie als Kind
Gudrun Vaupel	...	Mutter Rosemund
Eberhard Stanjek	...	Moderator
Alexis von Hagemeister	...	Wilke
Annemarie Wendl	...	Ärztin
Anton Petje
Sandi Colnik
France Severkar

Storyline

A scientist who swore off playing chess after a nervous breakdown as a boy wunderkind, creates an undefeated chess program. But the Russian world champ beats Tommy Rosemund's masterwork in a televised match. So the West German mathematician becomes a top chess pro himself, which the West German media boast will prove the superiority of Germany and democracy. The jowly, white-faced Rosemund believes that the entire Red Communist bloc is out to stop him from vanquishing their atheist pretty boy, Stefan Koruga, to become the next Bobby Fischer and a symbol that ruthless capitalism is preferable to socialism.

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Plot Keywords:

chess | color in title | obsession

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

West Germany

Language:

German

Release Date:

13 September 1978 (West Germany)

Also Known As:

Black and White Like Day and Night

Filming Locations:

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Monaco Film GmbH, Radiant Film GmbH, Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

User Reviews

Best film on Chess

This is a brilliant film, and captures the combat and obsession of chess. Bruno Ganz plays an amalgamation of Steinitz, Morphy, and Fischer. One great line is his sister's: "Ha Ha, Mom took your board way and you can't play anymore!" The scene has the young future GM staring at the floor blankly, after his parents decided he was obsessed and hid his board. He looks up at says simply "I don't need a board."