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The Luzhin Defence

  • 2000
  • PG-13
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
4.6K
YOUR RATING
John Turturro and Emily Watson in The Luzhin Defence (2000)
Theatrical Trailer from Sony Pictures Classics
Play trailer2:08
1 Video
5 Photos
DramaRomance

Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty.Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty.Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty.

  • Director
    • Marleen Gorris
  • Writers
    • Vladimir Nabokov
    • Peter Berry
  • Stars
    • John Turturro
    • Emily Watson
    • Geraldine James
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    6.8/10
    4.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Marleen Gorris
    • Writers
      • Vladimir Nabokov
      • Peter Berry
    • Stars
      • John Turturro
      • Emily Watson
      • Geraldine James
    • 63User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    The Luzhin Defence
    Trailer 2:08
    Watch The Luzhin Defence

    Photos

    John Turturro and Emily Watson in The Luzhin Defence (2000)
    John Turturro and Emily Watson in The Luzhin Defence (2000)
    John Turturro and Emily Watson in The Luzhin Defence (2000)
    John Turturro and Emily Watson in The Luzhin Defence (2000)

    Top cast

    Edit
    John Turturro
    John Turturro
    • Luzhin
    Emily Watson
    Emily Watson
    • Natalia
    Geraldine James
    Geraldine James
    • Vera
    Stuart Wilson
    Stuart Wilson
    • Valentinov
    Christopher Thompson
    • Stassard
    Fabio Sartor
    Fabio Sartor
    • Turati
    Peter Blythe
    Peter Blythe
    • Ilya
    Orla Brady
    Orla Brady
    • Anna
    Mark Tandy
    Mark Tandy
    • Luzhin's Father
    Kelly Hunter
    Kelly Hunter
    • Luzhin's Mother
    Alexander Hunting
    • Young Luzhin
    Alfredo Pea
    Alfredo Pea
    • 1st Official
    Fabio Pasquini
    • 2nd Official
    Luigi Petrucci
    • Santucci
    Carlo Greco
    • Hotel Manager
    Massimo Sarchielli
    Massimo Sarchielli
    • Tailor
    Luca Foggiano
    • Fascist
    Antonio Carli
    • Fascist
    • Director
      • Marleen Gorris
    • Writers
      • Vladimir Nabokov
      • Peter Berry
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The dramatic draw that takes place halfway through the film follows the obscure game Macht-Weenink 1930. The scene begins as Luzhin's opponent is in a losing position. Knowing he is ahead but with pressure mounting, Luzhin makes the amateur-grade blunder from the original game. He loses his knight for nothing. Having blown his chance to win, Luzhin forces a draw.
    • Goofs
      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.
    • Quotes

      Aleksandr Ivanovich Luzhin: There's a pattern emerging, a definite pattern. Not Turati. I repeat that game. I've beaten him. And his moves are repeated, repeated, repeated moves. I must keep track... of every second. Every second I must keep track of, every second.

      Natalia Katkov: It sounds like such a lonely battle.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Driven/The Golden Bowl/61*/One Night at McCool's/The Luzhin Defence (2001)
    • Soundtracks
      Waltz 2
      from "Suite for Jazz Orchestra No. 2"

      Composed by Dmitri Shostakovich (as Dimitri Shostakovich)

      Performed by Koninklijk Concertgebouworkest (as Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra)

      Conducted by Riccardo Chailly

      By permission of Boosey & Hawkes Licensing

      Courtesy of Decca Record Label Ltd.

      Under license from Universal Special Markets

      (p) 1992 Decca Records

    User reviews63

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    8/10
    Defenseless you will be to the charms of this film, all romance lovers out there!
    Alexandr "Sascha" Luzhin (John Turturro) is a former leading chess player attempting a comeback at an Italy-hosted tournament. His brilliance is unquestioned but his obsession with chess has stunted his growth in all other aspects of his life. Natalia (Emily Watson) is a beautiful heiress who has come to the same resort with her mother, Vera (Geraldine James) to scope out possible marriage partners. Vera leans toward a handsome count but, astonishingly, Natalia is more fascinated by Sascha, whom she met on a walk. Sascha, too, is taken with Natalia and proposes marriage at their second meeting. But, with the concentration that Sascha must give to the chess matches and, with other happenings in his past still causing problems, will he win the heart of Natalia? Oh, and can he become the chess champion, also? This is a lovely film, based on a novel by Nabokov. The acting is amazing, with Watson very fine as the beautiful little rich girl and Turturro utter perfection as the shy, awkward chess enthusiast. James gives quite a nice turn as the overbearing mother and the other cast members are wonderful as well. As for the look of the film, it could not be better. The scenery is of the put-your-eye-out variety, the vintage costumes are gorgeous and the cinematography is deserving of much applause. Yes, the story is unusual and told with the use of flashbacks, at times, making it a film not everyone will appreciate. Then, too, the ending is bittersweet. However, if you love romance, period pieces, great acting, knockout scenery, or the fine art of motion picture creation, don't miss this one. You will be defenseless in resisting its multitude of charms.
    helpful•7
    2
    • inkblot11
    • Jul 31, 2008

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 8, 2000 (United Kingdom)
    • Countries of origin
      • United Kingdom
      • France
    • Languages
      • English
      • Italian
    • Also known as
      • The Luzhin Defense
    • Filming locations
      • Budapest, Hungary(St Petersburg scenes)
    • Production companies
      • C.R.G. International
      • France 2 Cinéma
      • ICE3
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $1,053,070
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $63,203
      • Apr 22, 2001
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,873,620
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 49 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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