Chess Story
Seen it?2021 | 110 min | History, Drama, War, Thriller
Sunday Safe Betearly ratingWhy it’s a Sunday Safe Bet
It earned strong reviews (89% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had a box office flop and little lasting buzz. A safe bet when you want something reliable.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who likes to be kept guessing and history buffs. If you loved Nuremberg or Inglourious Basterds, start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Tense, intense.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 50 min.
- What might put you off
- It's in German, so expect subtitles (or a dub).
- Audiences were cooler on it than critics.
1938. While the Nazi troops march into Vienna, the lawyer Josef Bartok hastily tries to escape to the USA with his wife but is arrested by the Gestapo. Bartok remains steadfast and refuses to cooperate with the Gestapo that requires confidential information from him. Thrown into solitary confinement, Bartok is psychologically tormented for months and begins to weaken. However, when he steals an old book about chess it sets him on course to overcome the mental suffering inflicted upon him, until it becomes a dangerous obsession.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
89% on Rotten Tomatoes
- AudiencesSolid
6.8 out of 10
- AwardsWeak
0 wins and 1 nomination from smaller awards and festivals
- Reach & staying powerWeak
Streaming release that reached a small audience so far
- Buzz & cultural impactBelow par
Not enough engagement data yet
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Philipp Stölzl
- Oliver MasucciDr. Josef Bartok
- Albrecht SchuchFranz-Josef Böhm
- Birgit MinichmayrAnna Bartok
- Rolf LassgårdOwen McConnor
- Andreas LustJohann Prantl
- Samuel FinziAlfred Koller
- Lukas MikoGustav Sailer
- Joel BasmanBarkeeper Willem
- Clemens BerndorffDr. Swoboda
- Johannes ZeilerDr. Fink