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IMDbPro

Bobby Fischer Against the World

  • 2011
  • TV-14
  • 1h 33m
IMDb RATING
7.4/10
7.3K
YOUR RATING
Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
Trailer for Bobby Fischer Against The World
Play trailer0:55
1 Video
20 Photos
DocumentaryBiographyHistory

'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, f... Read all'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, t... Read all'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 myste... Read all

  • Director
    • Liz Garbus
  • Stars
    • Bobby Fischer
    • David Edmonds
    • Anthony Saidy
  • See production, box office & company info
  • IMDb RATING
    7.4/10
    7.3K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Liz Garbus
    • Stars
      • Bobby Fischer
      • David Edmonds
      • Anthony Saidy
    • 39User reviews
    • 60Critic reviews
    • 76Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 1 win & 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Bobby Fischer Against The World
    Trailer 0:55
    Watch Bobby Fischer Against The World

    Photos20

    Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)
    Bobby Fischer in Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Bobby Fischer
    Bobby Fischer
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    David Edmonds
    • Self - Author
    Anthony Saidy
    Anthony Saidy
    • Self
    • (as Dr. Anthony Saidy)
    Susan Polgar
    • Self
    Henry Kissinger
    Henry Kissinger
    • Self
    David Shenk
    • Self - Author
    Gudmundur Thorarinsson
    • Self - Match Organizer
    Boris Spassky
    Boris Spassky
    • Self
    Mikhail Tal
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Garry Kasparov
    Garry Kasparov
    • Self
    Mikhail Botvinnik
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Tigran Petrosian
    • Self
    • (archive footage)
    Russell Targ
    • Self
    Larry Evans
    • Self - Former Champion
    Shelby Lyman
    • Self
    Sam Sloan
    Sam Sloan
    • Self
    Malcolm Gladwell
    Malcolm Gladwell
    • Self
    Fernand Gobet
    • Self
    • (as Fernand Gobet PhD)
    • Director
      • Liz Garbus
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Though Bobby Fischer hated Soviet players for what he considered collusion i.e. drawing matches between themselves so they could concentrate on beating non-Soviet players like Fischer, Bobby Fischer liked and respected Boris Spassky. In turn, Spassky returned the affection and esteem.
    • Quotes

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

    • Connections
      Featured in Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #1.20 (2011)
    • Soundtracks
      Theme from Shaft
      Words and Music by Isaac Hayes

      Published by Irving Music, Inc. (BMI)

      Performed by Isaac Hayes

      Courtesy of Stax Records

      By arrangement with Concord Music Group, Inc.

    User reviews39

    Review
    Review
    Featured review
    Very Good Documentary
    Bobby Fischer Against the World (2010)

    *** 1/2 (out of 4)

    Another very good documentary from HBO, this one taking a look at the life and career of Bobby Fischer, the chess genius who rose to fame at an early age and really put the sport on the U.S. map when he defeated the Russian Spassky in 1972. Fischer's rise was quickly put out when he refused to defend his championship and the genius spent the rest of his life trying to hide from the public and apparently driving closer to madness. David Edmonds, Dr. Anthony Saidy, Susan Polgar, Henry Kissinger, David Shenk, Malcolm Gladwell and Larry Evans are among the many people interviewed here as they try to explain what made Fischer a genius but also what eventually got him kick out of America. This is a very fascinating documentary because it really seems to be trying to tell the truth and not just sugar-coat some rather troubled moments in this man's life. It's clear that he was a genius at the game of chess and the documentary makes an interesting choice showing other great minds of the game who ended their lives in a mental breakdown. The majority of the running time is devoted to the Spassky match as we get a game-to-game breakdown of events, shown the important matches and also the various controversies that Fischer stirred up at the time. So, in reality, even in his greatest moments Fischer was still delivering controversy and upsetting people. Fans of chess, Fischer or those just interesting in great documentaries should really be entertained by this thing. The documentary doesn't really explain the rules of chess so some might want to read up a bit before going into the film but even if you know nothing the story is just so fascinating where it really doesn't matter.
    helpful•5
    2
    • Michael_Elliott
    • Apr 22, 2012

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • June 6, 2011 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • United States
      • United Kingdom
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Languages
      • English
      • Russian
    • Also known as
      • Bobby Fischer: Genius and Madman
    • Filming locations
      • Reykjavík, Iceland
    • Production companies
      • HBO Documentary Films
      • LM Media Production
      • Moxie Firecracker Films
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross worldwide
      • $90,511
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 33 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
      • Black and White
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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