Bobby Fischer Against the World

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.

It’s an OK documentary, but one never learns anything about the Bobby Fischer who couldn’t vote for Kennedy because he’s a guy who puts his hands in his coat pockets (“God, that’s horrible!”). Given that I’ve waited years to do so, it’s somewhat of a disappointment to realise I’ll be waiting forever. I’d almost forgotten about the Yugoslavia stuff, and maybe never heard the Paul Neményi stuff. Still, everyone has to have their favourite anti-Semite, and Fischer’s probably in my top ten.

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.