Bobby Fischer Against the World

Locations
Call Number: DVD 794.1 Bo
On Shelf At: Downtown Library

Location & Checkout Length	Call Number	Checkout Length	Item Status
Downtown 1st Floor 1-week checkout	DVD 794.1 Bo	1-week checkout	On Shelf
Downtown 1st Floor 1-week checkout	DVD 794.1 Bo	1-week checkout	On Shelf

Release date: Dec. 6, 2011.
Explores the complex life of Bobby Fischer, the troubled genius whose charisma and talent spurred a worldwide fascination with chess: the 'Game of Kings.' Fischer's evolution from isolated child to chess prodigy, global superstar, angry recluse, and fugitive from the law, is a spellbinding story of the making and unmaking of an American icon. Rare archival footage and insightful interviews with those closest to him expand this captivating story of a mastermind's tumultuous rise and fall. Includes bonus features.
DVD, widescreen.

COMMUNITY REVIEWS

Hinting at a Complex Story submitted by Meginator on June 24, 2020, 7:32pm This documentary broadly examines the life of Bobby Fischer, a one-time chess prodigy who subsequently struggled with various types of mental illness. The filmmakers do a good job of assembling and integrating archival footage and contemporary interviews to provide a brief outline of Fischer’s life and to provide ample context for his appearance and performance against Boris Spassky in 1972, but they ultimately fail to construct a consistent, compelling narrative out of a fascinating and complicated story. Every time it seems like the film is about to dive deep into some aspect of Fischer’s life, or his short- and long-term impact on chess, it veers in another direction, offering hints of complexity but no real depth. This film functions well enough as a general overview of Fischer’s story, but doesn’t make the most out of its rich source material, nor does it truly engage with Fischer’s dark decline.