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IMDbPro

The Luzhin Defence

  • 20002000
  • PG-13PG-13
  • 1h 49m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
4.5K
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
  • Drama
  • Romance
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.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
4.5K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Marleen Gorris
  • Writers
    • Vladimir Nabokov(novel "Zashchita Luzhina")
    • Peter Berry(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • John Turturro
    • Emily Watson
    • Geraldine James
Top credits
  • Director
    • Marleen Gorris
  • Writers
    • Vladimir Nabokov(novel "Zashchita Luzhina")
    • Peter Berry(screenplay by)
  • Stars
    • John Turturro
    • Emily Watson
    • Geraldine James
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 62User reviews
    • 48Critic reviews
    • 64Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 2 nominations

    Videos1

    The Luzhin Defence
    Trailer 2:08
    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
    • Luzhinas Luzhin
    Emily Watson
    Emily Watson
    • Nataliaas Natalia
    Geraldine James
    Geraldine James
    • Veraas Vera
    Stuart Wilson
    Stuart Wilson
    • Valentinovas Valentinov
    Christopher Thompson
    • Stassardas Stassard
    Fabio Sartor
    Fabio Sartor
    • Turatias Turati
    Peter Blythe
    Peter Blythe
    • Ilyaas Ilya
    Orla Brady
    Orla Brady
    • Annaas Anna
    Mark Tandy
    Mark Tandy
    • Luzhin's Fatheras Luzhin's Father
    Kelly Hunter
    Kelly Hunter
    • Luzhin's Motheras Luzhin's Mother
    Alexander Hunting
    • Young Luzhinas Young Luzhin
    Alfredo Pea
    Alfredo Pea
    • 1st Officialas 1st Official
    Fabio Pasquini
    • 2nd Officialas 2nd Official
    Luigi Petrucci
    • Santuccias Santucci
    Carlo Greco
    • Hotel Manageras Hotel Manager
    Massimo Sarchielli
    Massimo Sarchielli
    • Tailoras Tailor
    Luca Foggiano
    • Fascistas Fascist
    Antonio Carli
    • Fascistas Fascist
    • Director
      • Marleen Gorris
    • Writers
      • Vladimir Nabokov(novel "Zashchita Luzhina")
      • Peter Berry(screenplay by)
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details 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 At the Movies: 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 reviews62

    Review
    Top review
    Probably not a buy, but a worthy rental for an evening at home.
    John Turturro, Emily Watson, Geraldine James, Stuart Wilson; directed by Marleen Gorris, loosely based on the novel by Vladimir Nabokov The Luzhin Defence is set in nineteen-twenties Italy's lake district where the world championships of Chess are being staged. Our hero Luzhin (Turturro) is a main contender for the title and recognized as one of the greatest chess minds of the era. He is utterly consumed by game, and has utterly devoted his life to the contest since a young age. It has been both obsession and addiction for the man, as it is both all he knows and what gives his life meaning. While competing in the championships, he meets Natalia (Watson), a wealthy socialite. Showing his peculiarity, he immediately asks her to marry him, sight unseen. Intrigued by his straight forward manner, she does not immediately dismiss him.

    This is due to the fact that she is here for her mother to choose a suitor for her, and Luzhin's eccentricity is seen by her as a welcome change. Her mother (James) is completely taken aback by such an idea, and wants her daughter to marry someone of similar prestige and means. All of this transpires while his old chess teacher (Wilson) tutors his chief rival, wanting nothing more than to see Luzhin humiliated.

    Being a chess movie, it could immediately be set aside as dull and unwatchable, being as Chess is not exactly a spectator sport.

    However, this movie is much less about chess and much more about the people surrounding the game; making it a piece about the interactions of personalities and not pieces. The movie does find a parallel however, as it is shown like a chess match between two sides, the present and the past (shown through flashbacks), with one side prevailing at the end. This storytelling choice works surprisingly well, as we gain much insight as to why Luzhin is the way he is, and how he views the world.

    The movie begins with a telling piece of cinematography, as the audience is given the perspective of a train conductor emerging from a tunnel. This is especially significant when viewed in the sense of Luzhin's later mental breakdown, and can be seen as meaning the same thing. This scene is then segued into the first flashback, giving us a pattern that can be seen in the rest of the film. Other notable scenes include the meeting of Natlalia and Alexander at a tennis court, and later when he is thinking to himself in their bedroom, "There is a pattern emerging!" cries the eccentric chess genius Alexander Luzhin. "I must keep track--every second!" To which Natalia, whom he loves can only reply, "It sounds like such a lonely battle.' This all encompassing effect of chess on him can also be seen earlier in the film, as he is being driven by one of his old chess teachers chauffeurs into the middle of the countryside, is dropped off there, and does not notice. The end adds character to the film without being overly dramatic, but is a departure from the finish of the novel, however it is believable and adds to the sense that Luzhin does not really control himself, or know how.

    Overall an enjoying piece of film, more about camera angles and people then chess. After the first half, the films pace drastically speeds up, and the plot becomes much more intriguing. Can best be compared to other independent films of its ilk, yet also suffices quite well as a period piece. Probably not a buy, but a worthy rental for an evening at home.
    helpful•18
    2
    • lancer0410
    • May 28, 2004

    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
    • 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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