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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

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Shubhra Gupta The Indian Express 05/22/2021
Shatranj Ke Khilari needs to be watched for its sheer prescience... Go to Full Review
Gary Arnold Washington Post 05/06/2017
"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. Go to Full Review
Michael Atkinson Village Voice 08/29/2006
Ray's film is an incisive dissection of culture shock and class privilege. Go to Full Review
Jimmy Cage Jimmy Cage Movie Reviews (YouTube) 04/08/2022
8/10
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. Go to Full Review
Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 03/07/2014
B
The uneven but elegantly told gentle historical film about conflicting cultures has its few moments of brilliance. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 01/19/2013
A-
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Audience Reviews

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09/12/2019 '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. See more 07/22/2017 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 See more 08/17/2016 Subtle, and funny - Ray satirizes the Nawab culture, their obsessions and egos with perfect dead pan deliveries of their lines and habits. See more 01/23/2015 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. See more 02/07/2014 This is a real good movie for chess lovers. See more 08/30/2013 Superb and minimalist movie. A simple story beautifully directed with some really good performances. See more Read all reviews
The Chess Players

My Rating

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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