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Bobby Fischer Against the World (12A)

Documentary, Biography, Drama

'Bobby Fischer Against the World' is the first documentary feature to explore 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.

More information on this production is available at bobbyfischermovie.co.uk.

The critical consensus

Bobby Fischer Against the World grips like a thriller but Garbus allows her audience to make up their own mind about this remarkable and strange man, pawn and one time king (of the world).

****(*)Paul Dale, The List, 21/06/2011

Liz Garbus’ intimate film combines impressive archive footage with candid interviews with Fischer’s friends and colleagues.

****(*)Tom Dawson, Total Film, 05/07/2011

Fascinating and far less didactic than you might expect, Garbus' film explores the intellectual beauty of the game balanced against the erratic and enigmatic Fischer.

****(*)David McGinty, The Skinny, 11/07/2011

A compelling look at the tragic and bizarre life of an enigmatic champion.

****(*)Nev Pierce, Empire Online, 11/07/2011

"Chess," Bobby Fischer once said, "is life." The tragedy was that his maddened, delusional life often overshadowed the genius of his game.

***(*)(*)Siobhan Synnot, The Scotsman, 12/07/2011

Garbus shows that however troubled and complex the chess legend and international outcast appeared, the truth was much more disturbing.

****(*)Alison Rowat, The Herald, 14/07/2011

With its fascinating interview footage and tremendous black-and-white still photographs by Harry Benson, who was permitted great access to Fischer, this is an intriguing portrait. Its pessimism makes it a difficult watch.

****(*)Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian, 14/07/2011

Chess! What is it good for? Perhaps a television documentary instead.

Zara Miller, Little White Lies, 14/07/2011

Garbus’s documentary paints a portrait of a sad genius who grew up alienated and grew old alienating many of the people who admired and might have helped him.

***(*)(*)Sukhdev Sandhu, The Telegraph, 14/07/2011

It's a sad story of genius paying for the gift.

***(*)(*)Anthony Quinn, The Independent, 15/07/2011

It’s a life so incredible and so tragic even those with no knowledge of the game will be enthralled.

****(*)Henry Fitzherbert, Daily Express, 15/07/2011

Tracing his journey from gifted child to limelight-shirking monomaniac to reclusive anti-American conspiracy theorist, the film may stick to the standard rise-and-fall story arc, but it does pull together a lot of fascinating archival material.

***(*)(*)Alistair Harkness, The Scotsman, 16/07/2011

Fascinating but rather low-key.

Philip French, The Observer, 17/07/2011


Features about Bobby Fischer Against the World (12A)

Bobby Fischer: Black and white magic

Stephen Moss, The Observer, 02/07/2011

The World and Bobby Fischer: an interview with Liz Garbus

David McGinty, The Skinny, 13/07/2011

Bobby Fischer: How the king of chess lost his crown

Garry Kasparov, The Telegraph, 14/07/2011

Where and when?

General release. Check local listings for show times.

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