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The Chess Players

Play trailer Poster for The Chess Players 1977 2h 9m Comedy Drama History Play Trailer Watchlist
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91% Tomatometer 11 Reviews 85% Popcornmeter 1,000+ Ratings
In 1856, two obsessive chess players fail to notice British rule extending into their Indian province.

Critics Reviews

View All (11) Critics Reviews
Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express Shatranj Ke Khilari needs to be watched for its sheer prescience... May 22, 2021 Full Review Gary Arnold Washington Post "The Chess Players" is a little formal and static, but it's enriched by the comprehension of an exceptional film artist, who perceives clearly what this historical parable signifies for his country and his compatriots. May 6, 2017 Full Review Michael Atkinson Village Voice Ray's film is an incisive dissection of culture shock and class privilege. Aug 29, 2006 Full Review Jimmy Cage Jimmy Cage Movie Reviews (YouTube) THE CHESS PLAYERS is a multifaceted, psychologically precise parable about British imperialism in India in the mid-19th century. Satirical, snappy and lighthearted, but also haunting and profound at all times. Rated: 8/10 Apr 8, 2022 Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews The uneven but elegantly told gentle historical film about conflicting cultures has its few moments of brilliance. Rated: B Mar 7, 2014 Full Review Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Rated: A- Jan 19, 2013 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member 'The Chess Players' doesn't have the classy masterstroke which designed the Apu trilogy, and it lacks the energy of 'Charulata' or 'Devi'. The performances in the film are not 'Naayak' and 'Teen Kanya', and yet the film is so much fun! with a moving satire on the Nawabi and a moving depiction of the original Premchand short story, the film comes with its own moments which can well be called some of the most priceless in the Hindi cinema. With an imperative take on the satire oozing through the story and with the performances, especially delivered by the impeccable Shabana Aazmi and Amjad Khan, this is an imperative Ray work which lifts off and soars high. A scintillating and freshly entertaining directorial debut in Bollywood by all means it was. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/25/23 Full Review Audience Member A bit slow at times but full of inventiveness and humour, and the depiction of some of the relationships - between the players, between them and their wives - is marvelous Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/18/23 Full Review Audience Member Subtle, and funny - Ray satirizes the Nawab culture, their obsessions and egos with perfect dead pan deliveries of their lines and habits. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Audience Member My first film by Satyajit Ray. I was impressed. Excellent director. The story is interesting and funny, even if you know nothing about chess. If you love chess it's a must. Two men play chess all day to the exclusion of everything. When their beautiful chess pieces are stolen they find a way to continue playing. Marvelous twists and turns in the story kept me wondering what was coming next. I'll watch another film by this director anytime. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member This is a real good movie for chess lovers. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Superb and minimalist movie. A simple story beautifully directed with some really good performances. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Read all reviews
The Chess Players

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Cast & Crew

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Movie Info

Synopsis In 1856, two obsessive chess players fail to notice British rule extending into their Indian province.
Director
Satyajit Ray
Producer
Suresh Jindal
Screenwriter
Satyajit Ray
Genre
Comedy, Drama, History
Original Language
Urdu
Release Date (Streaming)
Jan 25, 2017
Runtime
2h 9m