In 1978, young ambitious Soviet chess champion Anatoly Karpov must defend his title against a former mentor and defector to the West Viktor Korchnoi. Their face-off becomes the most dramatic... Read allIn 1978, young ambitious Soviet chess champion Anatoly Karpov must defend his title against a former mentor and defector to the West Viktor Korchnoi. Their face-off becomes the most dramatic championship match in chess history.In 1978, young ambitious Soviet chess champion Anatoly Karpov must defend his title against a former mentor and defector to the West Viktor Korchnoi. Their face-off becomes the most dramatic championship match in chess history.
- Director
- Writer
- Stars
- Awards
- 5 wins & 1 nomination total
Konstantin Khabensky
- Viktor Korchnoy
- (as Konstantin Khabenskiy)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
This movie deserves 10.
Konstantin khabensky deserves an oscar for great acting.
I loved the story, vfx, atomsphere, acting, score, directing, everything. Its glamorous, better than most of the hollywood movies.
P. N. I knew every thing that konstantin involved would be great and also watched because of him. The movie got me from the first moment to the last minute. I also like how they compared the chess table to a battle ground, the rivals watching around. It was mesmorising. Well job done.
For a not russian i hope someone created a website that provides english subtitle to russian movies and tv shows, because most of the shows dont have. If you know any site please let me know.
Konstantin khabensky deserves an oscar for great acting.
I loved the story, vfx, atomsphere, acting, score, directing, everything. Its glamorous, better than most of the hollywood movies.
P. N. I knew every thing that konstantin involved would be great and also watched because of him. The movie got me from the first moment to the last minute. I also like how they compared the chess table to a battle ground, the rivals watching around. It was mesmorising. Well job done.
For a not russian i hope someone created a website that provides english subtitle to russian movies and tv shows, because most of the shows dont have. If you know any site please let me know.
Good sport biopic, much better than "moving up" and others SB for last years. Excellent game of Khabensky and very neat to real events. So, don't miss.
I don't understand why it has so low rating. It's awesome movie about chess. Firstly, the scenario shows the rivalry between two great chessmen: Karpov and Korchnoi. I like that it nas some flashbacks to Karpov's childhood. Secondly, the cast is grrat, especially Konstantin Habenskiy as Korchnoi. Thirdly, I like how mind process was shown due to game
So, it's great film about chess.
Chess!
Went to the cinema with big doubts!
Even without that, it was always clear to me that any film relating to the era of the USSR is an anti-Soviet craft with plasticine heroes and a far-fetched plot. Fortunately, this time a completely different case, although, of course, it could not have done without anti-Sovietism. Quote: "If the KGB finds out that we met, you will be sent to the Gulag!".
Firstly, few people in the modern generation probably know, but the GULAG is the Main Directorate of Camps, you can get into the camp, and not into the administration, and secondly, they really laid eyes on Karpov after this meeting, but no more, his meeting with the American did not remain unnoticed. In general, the film does not create an unnecessarily negative image of the USSR and its leaders, which pleases.
The picture tells, as it should - about chess and everything connected with them.
Probably there have never been films in the world cinema that so vividly destroy the myth that chess is not a sport. Nerves heated to the limit, undercover fighting, mental influence and exhausting the enemy by any means, all for the sake of victory, in war all means are good.
Special thanks and respect to K. Khabensky, who, I think, played one of his brightest roles in his entire long career, Yankovsky is also cool!
The only downside to this movie, in my opinion, is the length of time.
And so super!
Went to the cinema with big doubts!
Even without that, it was always clear to me that any film relating to the era of the USSR is an anti-Soviet craft with plasticine heroes and a far-fetched plot. Fortunately, this time a completely different case, although, of course, it could not have done without anti-Sovietism. Quote: "If the KGB finds out that we met, you will be sent to the Gulag!".
Firstly, few people in the modern generation probably know, but the GULAG is the Main Directorate of Camps, you can get into the camp, and not into the administration, and secondly, they really laid eyes on Karpov after this meeting, but no more, his meeting with the American did not remain unnoticed. In general, the film does not create an unnecessarily negative image of the USSR and its leaders, which pleases.
The picture tells, as it should - about chess and everything connected with them.
Probably there have never been films in the world cinema that so vividly destroy the myth that chess is not a sport. Nerves heated to the limit, undercover fighting, mental influence and exhausting the enemy by any means, all for the sake of victory, in war all means are good.
Special thanks and respect to K. Khabensky, who, I think, played one of his brightest roles in his entire long career, Yankovsky is also cool!
The only downside to this movie, in my opinion, is the length of time.
And so super!
A superb movie based-on a real chess event, one of the best made, if not the best, on the 1978 Baguio City World Chess Championship between Anatoly Karpov and Victor Korchnoi.
Recommended of course to all people. Chess lovers and not!
- (+) Wonderful acting by almost all the cast, especially the two rivals who shone unequivocally.
- (+) Very believable atmosphere throughout, being chess-wise or depicting emotions.
- (+) Very true to the real events, from minute one (introduction) up to the last.
- (+) Masterful depiction and development.
- (+) Great VFX combined with classic camera work.
- (+) Loved Anatoly's father (Evgeniy) and love interest (Veronika) acting. Brought tears to my eyes.
- Nothing negative to my eyes, besides wanting it to have a longer runtime, as in a series!
Recommended of course to all people. Chess lovers and not!
- Screenplay/story: 8.5
- Development: 9
- Realism: 9
- Entertainment: 9.5
- Acting: 9
- Filming/cinematography: 8.5
- Visual/special effects: 9
- Music/score: 9
- Depth: 9
- Logic: 8.5
- Flow: 9
- Drama: 9
- Ending/closure: 9.
Did you know
- ConnectionsReferences Closing Gambit: Korchnoi vs Karpov & The Kremlin (2018)
- How long is The World Champion?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Language
- Also known as
- The World Champion
- Filming locations
- Dom Kino, Moscow, Russia(interiors)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- RUR 700,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross worldwide
- $6,241,731
- Runtime
- 2h 25m(145 min)
- Color
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