BOBBY FISCHER AGAINST THE WORLD

Year: 2011
UK: Dogwoof Pictures
Cast: Bobby Fischer, David Edmonds, Harry Benson, David Shenk, Susan Polgar, Larry Evans, Sam Sloan, Harry Sneider, Malcolm Gladwell, Dr. Henry Kissinger
Director: Liz Garbus
Countries: USA / UK / Iceland
UK: 92 mins
UK Certificate: 12A contains strong language
UK Release Date: 15 July 2011 (Limited Release)


Synopsis

"The greatest match was in his mind."

Award-winning filmmaker Liz Garbus presents a fascinating portrait of one of the most intriguing and enigmatic figures of the 20th century �" World Chess Champion Bobby Fischer. The film traces the Grand Master from child prodigy to Cold War hero to controversial recluse. Cutting interviews with Bobby and the people who knew him with footage and news reports, BOBBY FISCHER AGAINST THE WORLD is a mesmerising portrait of the rise and bizarre fall of one of the great American icons.

In 1958, 14 year old Robert James “Bobby” Fischer stunned the chess world by becoming the youngest Grand Master in history, launching a career that would make him a legend. Raised by his mother in Brooklyn, he taught himself to play chess at the age of six and started beating seasoned adult chess players at eight. Throughout the sixties, as his star rose, Bobby would appear regularly on TV and tour the world resoundingly beating all. His career highlight came in 1972 when he played the Russian Grand Master and reigning champion Boris Spassky - a series that was equally tied in with the Cold War as it was with chess. After his victory, Bobby became the most famous person on the planet and his already erratic behaviour began spiralling out of control, turning this genius into an unrecognisable recluse and pariah.