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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
    8/10
    A Good Documentary for the Universal Audience
    For those who do not play chess or know anything about it, the game is something that is commonly referenced in books, poetry, movies, etc. It is seen as somewhat of a metaphor for happenings in real life. For those who play chess and are in love with the game, it is something of an art or science, or something cosmic that is unexplainable. They may often be frustrated as to why the majority of society does not share their passion.

    Chess has survived for thousands of years and is arguably the hardest game in the world. Through the eons, if there is one name or one master that has towered above anyone else, it is the American Bobby Fischer. When Fischer defeated Boris Spassky in 1972, the match created more publicity than any other chess event in history (even more than when IBM's computer Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in 1996). A lone American had defeated the mighty Soviet chess machine during the cold war. What should have been just the beginning of an already great career for Fischer, it was actually just the end.

    Bobby Fischer made one of the great disappearances of any famous person of the 20th century. He did not die, but was as elusive as Bigfoot after he won the world championship. For those who encountered him only would end of becoming frustrated because they realized he was slowly going insane. 20 years after winning the Championship (1992), Fischer reappeared to play Spassky for another match. When he appeared, it became even more obvious that the man had lost his mind. When the September 11th attacks happened, Fischer shocked the world when he applauded the acts on a radio program. He never played again and passed away in 2008.

    This HBO program is fantastic in that it is presented in a manner that is suitable for those who barely know anything about chess or those who know the intricate details of Fischer's career and life. It keeps the viewers' attention by playing nice music in the background throughout. The program shows numerous photographs and television footage that most people have never seen. The central focus of the program is the Fischer - Spassky match of 1972, but it juxtaposes all kind of other topics such as Fischer's family and love life, and his affiliation with a cult group. The program even has Henry Kissinger talking about the match. Kissinger had encouraged Fischer to follow through with the match when Fischer was about to not show up. But, the program does not blame Fischer's religious obsession with chess for this mental breakdown. It posits that it could have been a possibility.

    I will have to strongly disagree with one part of this documentary. It stated that when after Fischer won the world championship, he was arguably the most famous man in the world (aside from Jesus). I find this really hard to believe. One because Fischer was a merely just a chess champion and (2) there were many other gigantic figures at that time; Muhammad Ali, Richard Nixon, Chairman Mao, just to name a few.

    In the end, the enigma will always remain the enigma. Nobody really knows why Fischer quit playing after 1972 or what caused his mental disintegration. Even though he forfeited his title to Karpov in 1975, why did he completely give up playing even tournaments and simuls altogether? What we are left is speculation. Many chess lovers will proudly proclaim that Fischer was the best player of all time. There maybe some truth to this, but I believe Garry Kasparov finally deserves this title. This is because Kasparov was willing to take on all comers, human beings or computers. Kasparov did this for almost 3 decades. Kasparov defeated an ongoing Champion Anatoly Karpov (one of the top 5 players ever) 5 times and he continued to defend this title beating brilliant and talented young players - Ivanchuck, Shirov, Topalov, Anand, Short, Leko, Kramnik, Kamsky, and so many others for another 2 decades.

    *Please do not comment if you are going to get into a "greatest ever" debate - it will be yet another endless discussion and will lead to nowhere.* Fishcer's story is one of the great tragedies of chess, but in the short time that he was brilliant, he shined so brightly that it continues to illuminate to this day. Although his life ended to a sad decline, keep in mind, we remember and admire him for what he produced.
    helpful•7
    3
    • DhavalVyas
    • Jan 24, 2013

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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

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    • 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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