Chess in films or on tv

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HEGOATSRIDGE

Do we see chess depicted in a good way, a bad way or in such a way as it is laughable? Can the large or small screen ever do the game the justice it deserves? What about depictions of say Fischer, are they any good at all? I think that the game could do better on screen but could it also then appeal to a mass market? What do you think?

Skeeterbreath
As in any other genre, I think it really depends on the director. A terrible director will make a terrible action flick or chess flick. A mediocre director will make a mediocre action flick or chess flick. A great director would make a great action flick or chess flick.

I would also add that this is possible even if the chess movie is about classical time control chess. It’s not necessary to spend inordinate amounts of limited screen time showing the game in real time. Nor is it necessary to fall back on the gimmicky device of having the players have a speed, bullet or blitz game.

Most screen time could be spent presenting the character and traits of a grandmaster level player and how chess affects their personal life and those around them.

A small portion of a standard control classical game could possibly be shown onscreen by going inside the players head, with a well directed portrayal of how the player is evaluating the position, board space, tactics, strategy, etc.

35 to 25 years ago I would have suggested Spielberg for such a task, and still might, but I think I would like to see what Christopher Nolan could do with something like this.
jpaul_lyons

Appeal to a mass market?  You can’t sell logic in my country.  Everyone gets spoon fed pop culture and programmed into cognitive oblivion by the television.  It’ll never happen here. 

Johnny_Boy13
The movie Pawn Sacrifice was pretty good.
jpaul_lyons

Hey teacher!  Leave them kids alone!! 
🤣

I was just being cynical for a moment.  Kinda.