Two very different movies. First we get chess competition stuff set to rock music then we get the joys of watching an elderly Bobby Fischer be a crazy racist (not set to rock music).

The paranoid genius Bobby Fischer was a great chess player, no doubt about that. Even though he didn't play that many "big" games... This documentary's main focus is on his championship game against Spassky and him going insane, the first being the most interesting. Even if you're not into chess, the huge amount of archive film edited together keeps you on the edge of your seat, as Fischer (USA) beats Spassky (USSR) in a symbolic win. Thumbs up to Iceland for hosting and citizenship!

MORE CHESS REQUIRED.

Bishop to D5, Queen to C5, checkmate! And oh yeah: Everyone is out to get me.

I am an amateur chessplayer so tense people in front of the famous wooden pieces is in my range of interest of course - but what an intruiging and filmworthy man Fischer was! This documentary brings his even brilliant as hollow mind to life in an effective way. His strange smile kept following me for days. Love the images of the 60s and 70s.

Such a tragedy. A great documentary, even greater if, as I do, you love chess. I wish it could've been slightly heavier on the chess side of things but that's just my inner tech-minded side coming out, it was an enjoyable insight into his life and I should think even those that don't play the game itself will enjoy this documentary.

The film builds tension by framing Fischer's story as part of the Cold War, but inexplicably drops this angle about a third of the way through. It would have been nice if they'd followed through and covered the political fallout (on both sides) of the 1972 match. The filmmakers also lost the opportunity to maintain the tension with more detailed coverage of the controversial 1992 rematch. Despite these flaws, Fischer's story is compelling enough to make this documentary very watchable.

Less obvious soundtrack choices, more digging around Fischer's off-the-grid period would have been better. Side note the level of aggression some people bring to chess is hilarious.

Very interesting if problematic documentary. The filmmakers judge Bobby Fischer very harshly (even before he became an anti-Semite) and the film in general has an attitude which is more "Can you believe this clown?" than reverential.

* Directing, Aura : 7.5 * Ease of Viewing : 7 * Naked Eye : 7

Enjoyable but maybe a little bit less interesting than it lets on. Offers a concise yet complete biography of Fischer but by focusing on the man himself it loses something - there maybe isn't enough on the Cold War setting of his success, despite a large portion of the film focusing on his 70's championship. The film also loses focus and doesn't really get to the core of Bobby Fischer as a person - with much of the film post-70's being a bit of a highlight reel. I learned a bit but wanted more.

credits to 'Chess Fever' (1925) had to be on screen + it is a bit disturbing to go between different images of one person through his different ages, especially if it is so well-documented since his childhood

A well-made documentary about a very interesting person, more so if you're already into chess.

Fishcer is as interesting as he is unlikeable.

'documentarist's claim' / 'My reaction': Maverick genius takes on Russian chess master at the height of the cold war / Ah. / Genius comes from broken family / Hey! So too Spielberg! I didn't! I'll never be a genius now! / Genius does crazy chess moves! / Oh.. / Clear link between genius, chess and anti-semitism! / A-HA! Wait. What? / Best chess player ever dies mentally ill / .. sniff.. / Huge loss for chess world / Aww, come here, chess world!

A bit scattered and skipped over large parts of his becoming champion which was poised to be the central point of the movie. Oh, ok.

The choice to focus the bulk of the film on the 1972 Fischer-Spassky tournament gives this one an edge over most biographies. The tournament shows us more about Fischer (and competitive chess, and the Cold War) than a broader chronological recounting of is life would, and wraps it up in a classic narrative. Chess buffs probably won't learn anything new, but might appreciate the way the tension of the Reykjavik tournament is captured.

Sahsina munhasir Bobby Fischer - izelemesi keyifli, guzel bi belgesel.

What an intriguing character (as long as you don't really have to listen to his rants) with an interesting life story. At first I was afraid this documentary will be an interactive Wikipedia article, but Garbus did try to answer 'whys' I was most interested in. There are still things I want to know about Fischer, but this is a good starting point.

An entertaining but shallow look at an intriguing man. There is some excellent file footage and artistic renderings of the Fischer-Spassky match as well. Also, Sam Sloan appears in this film. Sloan is legendary in the chess world for his creepiness, exhaustively autobiographical website, and his status as the only person to successfully argue a case before the US Supreme Court without a lawyer. google him on a rainy Sunday afternoon.

You get two things in this documentary: a good look into Chess, firstly. Then you get a documentary about a dude who started saying, er, anti-social things and became a conspiracy theorist. Both are interesting -- I like the attention given to the fundamentalist beliefs and chess making someone crazy -- but I actually think the part about the game is the best. An artist doing art, breaking his old habits and presenting a new challenge, re-inventing himself... proving why he was so good.

For those that know much about the Cold War, it's hard to determine whether this series of events, and the life of Bobby Fischer, was actually a life, or if he was an unfortunate tool of the Cold War. I believe his true breakdown came entirely at the fault of his all-in belief in the Worldwide Church of God fundamentalists, not chess. The last half-hour of this flick is definitely the most engaging. The match with Spassky is interesting an all, but the man Bobby Fischer is clearly more engaging.

Fischer's unpredictability transpired not only during the 1972 WCC yet also during the latter parts of his life. The irreversible effect left on his psyche by his absentee parents and pursuit of becoming world champion, robbing him of a youth in many ways, did little to prevent his infamous revolt and increasing paranoia. Garbus doesn't shy away from this dichotomy as he depicts his life through some well presented and documented material. Worth a watch.

"This is strong and effective documentary filmmaking, but it's only a lengthy prologue to the story on which Liz Garbus clearly wants to focus." - Arthur Ryel-Lindsey

A thorough portrait of a sick man who happened to be an amazing chess player. Luckily there is a long segment on the famous Spassky match. But the main part of the movie shows the growing madness of Fischer. I missed an explanation for why Fischer is considered one of the greatest and not just a weapon of the cold war.

A fascinating insight into a powerful mind!

Chess can make you insane.