Bobby Fischer Against The World [DVD]

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.

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 professionals and prevail single handedly. What an amazing achievement - few individuals in any field of human endeavour can lay such a claim. And yet what a cost - Fischer was a deeply troubled individual whose obsession with chess alienated him from all other features of human experience - the most telling and poignant moment of the film for me was the revelation of his last words. People can choose to judge the man of course or lay it down to deep seated psychological flaws which I think get the cause-effect relationship wrong; here was the life of a man whose single minded obsession revealed that this is not the way to lead a happy and enduringly successful life. Showing that is the mark of a great film.

First of all it is wonderful to be able to take a glimpse into Bobby Fischer's life however it is also sad to note that such a "national hero" - or even a "global hero" - as Bobby was so badly treated and forgotten, later on, by his own country (government).In case he would have been treated better and with well deserved respect then probably(?) he woud not have "turned his coat" against his own country?!Sad to say, but Bobby was - in a way - a bit insane and that is something that the public (US) should have tolerated given the fact that he won the "cold war" on his own terms!He did not need guns, he did it by using his intellect and a few wooden pieces. Imagine if all wars could be solved in the same manner without 'bloodshed'! That accomplishment alone is something that probably nobody will ever be able to repeat!So rest in peace Bobby (!); hopefully he will receive a 'postumpt' respect and honour despite the fact that he turned insane due to unfortunate circumstances.The film was good and a "must" for every chess player - world wide!

This is a very entertaining and informative documentary. I was surprised when it arrived that it is not packaged in a standard dvd case, but in a cardboard tri-fold about the size of a greeting card. The dvd is seated in a slot on the inner central page. The other inner pages have information on the programming while the outside and spine have more traditional artwork and notes. The spine misspells Fischer's name as "Fisher," so I'm not sure how much quality control went into this "green" packaging. I will probably end up transferring this to a standard dvd case as I am not sure how well the cardboard will hold up to extended shelf-life or how well it will protect the dvd from scratches or other damage.

A corageous film that portrays a great and unparallel figure of not just chess world but a true intellectual with many controversial sides yet so fascinating. An outsider, kind of rock n roll star of chess, who became famous both for his great skills and for his political statements, standing as a sort of enemy of western and american society, up to his statement regarding september 11. Not only to find out more about him, but to follow his life and the drama of people that are too smart and individual for our society..

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. I don't expect danish subtitles(!) but it would be helpful with english. Playing time (for the film only) is 93 min.The danish version (which I got in Denmark) only last 89 min (even though it says 92 min on the cover!), and I don't think that any scenes are missing. So maybe the English to Danish DVD transfer were speeded up by mistake??? My dvd-player is not broken!

super movie very entertaining great interviews in it and some good psychological insights also such as chess can make you paranoid of other people because while you are playing you are paranoid of your opponents moves which I find happens to me also shortly after I play the day I play and the day after I am ok the day after that but I still love chess and I will keep playing every now and then and studying it also