7.4/10
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37 user 63 critic

Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)

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'Bobby Fischer Against the World' is a documentary feature exploring the tragic and bizarre life of the late chess master Bobby Fischer. The drama of Bobby Fischer's career was undeniable, ... See full summary »

Director:

Liz Garbus
Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 1 win & 4 nominations. See more awards »

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Photos

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Bobby Fischer ... Self (archive footage)
David Edmonds David Edmonds ... Self - Author
Anthony Saidy Anthony Saidy ... Self (as Dr. Anthony Saidy)
Susan Polgar Susan Polgar ... Self
Henry Kissinger ... Self
David Shenk David Shenk ... Self - Author
Gudmundur Thorarinsson Gudmundur Thorarinsson ... Self - Match Organizer
Boris Spassky Boris Spassky ... Self
Mikhail Tal Mikhail Tal ... Self (archive footage)
Garry Kasparov Garry Kasparov ... Self
Mikhail Botvinnik Mikhail Botvinnik ... Self (archive footage)
Tigran Petrosian Tigran Petrosian ... Self (archive footage)
Russell Targ Russell Targ ... Self
Larry Evans Larry Evans ... Self - Former Champion
Shelby Lyman Shelby Lyman ... Self
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Storyline

'Bobby Fischer Against the World' is a documentary feature exploring the tragic and bizarre life of the late chess master Bobby Fischer. The drama of Bobby Fischer's career was undeniable, from his troubled childhood, to his rock star status as World Champion and Cold War icon, to his life as a fugitive on the run. This film explores one of the most infamous and mysterious characters of the 20th century. Written by Anonymous

Plot Summary | Add Synopsis

Taglines:

The greatest match was in his mind. See more »


Certificate:

TV-14 | See all certifications »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

Bobby Fischer was born to Regina Wender, a naturalized American citizen of German Jewish descent, he was considered the son of her first husband, Hans-Gerhardt Fischer, a German biophysicist. They were married from 1933 to 1945, but some sources claim that his biological father was Hungarian physicist Paul Nemenyi. See more »

Quotes

Larry Evans - Former Champion: Reportedly, Fischer's last words were: "Nothing is so healing as the human touch".
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Connections

Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.20 (2011) See more »

Soundtracks

The Ballad of Bobby Fischer
Written, Recorded and Performed by Micah Ellison
From the CD Party on Top of the Word by Tik Tok 2009
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User Reviews

 
Sins of Omission
20 August 2011 | by abenrSee all my reviews

As a friend of Bobby Fischer for almost 20 years I am in an unusual position to critique this documentary. Let me say at the beginning that I think it is a brilliant work. Even so I am deeply troubled by the complete omission of three people who were as close to Bobby as any one who appears in the film, and probably closer. The three are Jack and Ethel Collins, and William Lombardy.

Bobby cut his teeth, as it were, at the home of the Collins's, spending an inordinate amount of spare time with them as a young child. In their home, he learned from Jack -- a New York State Champion, an editor of "Modern Chess Openings," (America's leading précis on opening play), a respected Correspondence Chess player, and the dean of American Chess Teachers -- and he received needed motherly sustenance from Jack's sister Ethel.

The Rev. William Lombardy was Fischer's "second" in Reykjavik. It is he who fought the battles for Bobby with the administrators and the arbiters. By his doing so, Bobby could stay somewhat in the background getting his needed rest. The tension and responsibilities lay on the broad shoulders of the Rev. Lombardy, who did a magnificent job on the front lines acting for the Mercurial Mr. Fischer. The full story of Bobby Fischer cannot be adequately told without these three Fischer companions making some contribution to his film life.

Given these three omissions one has the right to ask why Susan Polgar is represented as a Fischer expert. She was but three years old when the Fischer-Spassky match was played, and though she may have had later social connection with him, it is wrong to present her in the role she plays.

One can wonder too how Sam Sloan was chosen to give his views of Fischer. His knowledge of Fischer is a distant one at best.

Plaudits, though, are due for the in-depth interviews of Larry Evans and Tony Saidy, two who knew Bobby well. The same may be said of Asa Hofmann, to this day a legend in New York chess circles.


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Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook | Official site | See more »

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English | Russian

Release Date:

6 June 2011 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Bobby Fischer Against the World See more »

Filming Locations:

Reykjavík, Iceland

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Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$90,511
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Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1
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