IMDb > The Luzhin Defence (2000)
The Luzhin Defence
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The Luzhin Defence (2000) More at IMDbPro »

Videos (see all 4)
The Luzhin Defence (2000) -- Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty.
The Luzhin Defence (2000) -- Trailerfan.com - Trailer (Flash)

Overview

User Rating:
6.9/10   2,683 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?

Down 9% in popularity this week. See why on IMDbPro.

Director:

Marleen Gorris

Writers:

Vladimir Nabokov (novel)
Peter Berry (screenplay)

Contact:

View company contact information for The Luzhin Defence on IMDbPro.

Release Date:

8 September 2000 (UK) more

Genre:

Drama | Romance more

Tagline:

His love dictates every move.

Plot:

Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty. full summary | add synopsis

Plot Keywords:

more

Awards:

3 wins & 2 nominations more

User Comments:

Definitely One to Check, Mate. more (54 total)


Cast

  (Cast overview, first billed only)

John Turturro ... Aleksandr Ivanovich 'Sascha' Luzhin

Emily Watson ... Natalia Katkov
Geraldine James ... Vera, Natalia's Mother

Stuart Wilson ... Leo Valentinov
Christopher Thompson ... Jean de Stassard
Fabio Sartor ... Dottore Salvatore Turati
Peter Blythe ... Ilya

Orla Brady ... Aunt Anna
Mark Tandy ... Luzhin's Father
Kelly Hunter ... Luzhin's Mother
Alexander Hunting ... Young Aleksandr Luzhin
Alfredo Pea ... 1st Official
Fabio Pasquini ... 2nd Official
Luigi Petrucci ... Santucci
Carlo Greco ... Hotel Manager
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Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:

La défense Loujine (France)
The Luzhin Defense (USA) (cable TV title)
more

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for some sensuality and thematic elements.

Runtime:

109 min

Country:

UK | France

Language:

English | Italian

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1 more

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Filming Locations:

Bergamo, Lombardia, Italy more


Fun Stuff

Goofs:

Factual errors: In his game as white against an unnamed opponent before the final, Luzhin is shown supposedly checkmating with Rd1-d8, which is an illegal move because his rook at d1 is pinned against his king on h1 by black's rook at c1. more

Quotes:

Vera: He's defiled you already, hasn't he? That's why you're rushing this ridiculous marriage. You're carrying his child. more

Soundtrack:

Waltz 2 more


FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
8 out of 9 people found the following comment useful.
Definitely One to Check, Mate., 14 September 2000
9/10
Author: edmalc (edmalc@compuserve.com) from Belfast, Northern Ireland

Part of the enjoyment that I took from this film stemmed from the fact that I knew nothing more about it than that it starred John Turturro and Emily Watson (2 reasons enough to watch), was a period piece and involved chess. Everything that evolved before me was completely unexpected. I shan't, therefore, give away much more. Suffice to say that Turturro is magnificent as an eccentric, obsessive and deeply vulnerable chess genius and Em matches him step for step as the strong-minded woman who is drawn to him. It's about love and obsession, rather than the venerated board game and after drawing me in gradually over the first half hour, became totally compelling. And I defy anyone to second-guess the ending.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more (54 total)

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Luzhin Defence (2000)
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Nabokov's real ending MrCinephile
Why making movies that are blatantly sexist? pierrejcd
handling of chess pieces ishmaelite
What city is this? persistenceofvision
plot questions WheezePuppet
Giant chess set ocb999
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