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Bobby Fischer Against the World traces the Grand Master from child prodigy to Cold War hero to controversial recluse. Cutting interviews with Bobby and the people who knew him, with footage and news reports, Bobby Fisher Against the World is a mesmerising portrait of the rise and bizarre fall of one of the great American icons.
In 1958, 14-year old Robert James Bobby Fischer stunned the chess world by becoming the youngest Grand Master in history, launching a career that would make him a legend. Raised by his mother in Brooklyn he taught himself to play chess at the age of six and started beating seasoned adult chess players at eight. Throughout the sixties, as his star rose Bobby would appear regularly on TV and tour the world resounding beating all. His career highlight came in 1972 when he played the Russian Grand Master and reigning champion Boris Spassky - a series that was equally tied in with the Cold War as it was with chess. After his victory Bobby became the most famous person on the planet, and his already erratic behaviour began spiralling out of control, turning this genius into an unrecognisable recluse and pariah.
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
By Darcy
Format:DVD
A beautiful film and I totally agree with the other reviewer that you do not need to have an interest in Chess in order to enjoy this wonderful film. The film starts from the early moments of Bobby Fischer's career to the sad ending. To some people he came across as a strong-minded genius, whilst to others he came across as an arrogant, selfish egotistical individual. Whatever your views on Bobby, there is no denying that he loved his craft and dedicated every moment of his life to becoming the best Chess player of his era.
Ultimately, he lived the way he wanted too and made his own decisions, he did not conform to how society wanted him to act or behave. Whether that was his ultimate downfall, you will have to make up your own mind.
Finally, in an era where celebrity and fame are easily accessed, be prepared to watch a man live his passion and achieve success using his own determination, focus and drive.
Ultimately, he lived the way he wanted too and made his own decisions, he did not conform to how society wanted him to act or behave. Whether that was his ultimate downfall, you will have to make up your own mind.
Finally, in an era where celebrity and fame are easily accessed, be prepared to watch a man live his passion and achieve success using his own determination, focus and drive.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By S. GODFREY
Format:DVD
There is a lot to be said for Gareth Wood's question in his review when he asked; are documentaries just intended to provide people with information about the past that used to be common knowledge to anyone who was vaguely aware of the news?
If you are already aware of Fischer the man or are a fan of his chess, then I suspect this film is not going to offer you much in the way of additional insight. That said, those paying a first visit into his world should be delighted as it paints (albeit in the broadest brushstrokes possible) a compelling picture of a brilliant but ultimately broken individual.
Although the technical elements of his chess are largely sacrificed in the interests of producing a commercially viable film, it vividly communicates many elements of Fischer's unique physical attributes; the often commented upon swagger as he walked and the changing look in his eyes over the years from alert intelligence to a kind of tired pleading at the end are successfully rendered in film for all to see.
The documentary tries hard to not judge its subject although ultimately, it seems to arrive at the same conclusion that many who knew him also came to i.e. Bobby Fischer was a very troubled individual but in the end, his incredible chess talent acted as a portal into the game for an entire generation of devotees and for that we do owe him a huge debt of thanks. Respect for Fischer himself might be another matter entirely.
If you are already aware of Fischer the man or are a fan of his chess, then I suspect this film is not going to offer you much in the way of additional insight. That said, those paying a first visit into his world should be delighted as it paints (albeit in the broadest brushstrokes possible) a compelling picture of a brilliant but ultimately broken individual.
Although the technical elements of his chess are largely sacrificed in the interests of producing a commercially viable film, it vividly communicates many elements of Fischer's unique physical attributes; the often commented upon swagger as he walked and the changing look in his eyes over the years from alert intelligence to a kind of tired pleading at the end are successfully rendered in film for all to see.
The documentary tries hard to not judge its subject although ultimately, it seems to arrive at the same conclusion that many who knew him also came to i.e. Bobby Fischer was a very troubled individual but in the end, his incredible chess talent acted as a portal into the game for an entire generation of devotees and for that we do owe him a huge debt of thanks. Respect for Fischer himself might be another matter entirely.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By dan S
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was a keen chess player of 9 at the time of the Reykjavik 1972 World Chess Championship between Fischer and Spassky, and even at this age was drawn to the "Cold War' clash between the US and the USSR, between the brilliant newcomer and the World Champion. I remember reading chess books after the event, and took a slight but definite long term interest in a chess hero of my youth. I was always hoping he would return to chess, and watched his slide from sanity with sadness.
This DVD concentrates on the 1972 Reykjavik final, the 'Match of the Century', and then follows Fischer's life to his demise. So does the DVD capture the feel of that time? I think in large part it does. It is essentially a documentary with footage of the time, much of which I'd never seen. There are interviews with Fischer, which captures his single-mindedness, and total focus on chess throughout his early life. It also details his loss of sanity, and examines possible reasons for this. It contains interviews with those associated with chess and Fischer throughout his life. There is also detailed commentary on the 1972 match, with many of the games, and the shenanigans associated with the game arising from Fischer's game-playing/paranoia.
Personally, and with a hopeless chess bias, I would have liked greater commentary on the chess, but that is available elsewhere. Where this DVD works is as a portrait of a real genius, set against the backdrop of the Cold War, his incredible early successes, and finally the slide into madness often associated with such intense and isolated focus on a single field.
This DVD concentrates on the 1972 Reykjavik final, the 'Match of the Century', and then follows Fischer's life to his demise. So does the DVD capture the feel of that time? I think in large part it does. It is essentially a documentary with footage of the time, much of which I'd never seen. There are interviews with Fischer, which captures his single-mindedness, and total focus on chess throughout his early life. It also details his loss of sanity, and examines possible reasons for this. It contains interviews with those associated with chess and Fischer throughout his life. There is also detailed commentary on the 1972 match, with many of the games, and the shenanigans associated with the game arising from Fischer's game-playing/paranoia.
Personally, and with a hopeless chess bias, I would have liked greater commentary on the chess, but that is available elsewhere. Where this DVD works is as a portrait of a real genius, set against the backdrop of the Cold War, his incredible early successes, and finally the slide into madness often associated with such intense and isolated focus on a single field.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
1.0 out of 5 stars
Not recommended
It is quite obvious that the movie was designed as an attack on Fischer`s personality and views and does a bad service to him as a person, a chess player and to chess in general. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Elyob Eiknarf
3.0 out of 5 stars
A genius comes but once in a lifetime
Expensive for a DVD that lasts 1 1/2 hrs. However, it is obviously a 'niche' product, brought out by a small, specialist film company, so one can't complain. Read more
Published 5 months ago by S. Ahmad
3.0 out of 5 stars
chess.ches5.che55
Exactly what it says on the tin:- enclosed- x1 good documentary film + tasty special features = job done. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Kubemaster
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very great documentary!
Bobby Fischer Against the World [DVD]
Can just recommend this movie, even you are not playing chess. It is a drama being so highly talented ... and so highly isolated.
Can just recommend this movie, even you are not playing chess. It is a drama being so highly talented ... and so highly isolated.
Published 12 months ago by Andrea
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good film
It's a good film about a great player. I still remember the big match in 1972. Nice Special Features. I just wish that the DVD had some subtitles. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mirko Mihaljevic
4.0 out of 5 stars
You are in check
An interesting and informative insight into the troubled mind of a chess playing genius and the rocky road he travelled.Life is not all black and white.
Published 16 months ago by Bob Spinks
5.0 out of 5 stars
Relevant in so many ways...
The story of Bobby Fischer is a relatively simple one; a youth spent mastering chess to an almost unfathomable level so that he could take on an empire of trained chess... Read more
Published 18 months ago by ChrisG
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must have Video for all Chess Players.
This is something I think every Chess Player should watch, a great video which goes a long way to understanding something about the man who was perhaps the greatest chess player... Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mrs J V Bettis
2.0 out of 5 stars
A crashing disappointment
This film had me wondering whether some documentaries are just intended to provide people with information about the past that used to be common knowledge to anyone who was vaguely... Read more
Published 19 months ago by Gareth J. Wood
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Downside of Genius
In respect of sporting downfalls, Fischer's story alone is as near Biblical in its descent, as also schizophrenic in its madness. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Anthony Nesbitt
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