La Diagonale du Fou (Dangerous Moves) (1984)

83% of critics liked it
(6 reviews)
64% of users liked it
(291 ratings)

Michel Piccoli plays Akiva Liebskind, a Russian chess genius in the Swiss-filmed Dangerous Moves. He is pitted against Soviet exile Pavius Fromm (Alexandre Arbatt), who, since childhood, has dreamed of nothing but defeating Liebskind. Both men soon become obsessed with winning. Already suffering… More Michel Piccoli plays Akiva Liebskind, a Russian chess genius in the Swiss-filmed Dangerous Moves. He is pitted against Soviet exile Pavius Fromm (Alexandre Arbatt), who, since childhood, has dreamed of nothing but defeating Liebskind. Both men soon become obsessed with winning. Already suffering from a weak heart, Liebskind courts a coronary, while the increasingly paranoid Fromm is convinced that his opponent is spying on him from every corner. The KGB enters into the game by attempting to sabotage Fromm, hoping that by doing so they will discredit everyone who's ever publicly opposed the Soviet government. Dangerous Moves was the 1984 recipient of the Best Foreign-Language Picture Academy Award. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Richard Dembo
Genres: Art House & International, Drama

In Theaters: Apr 25, 1984 Wide
On DVD: Jun 24, 2003

Critic Reviews

Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
This well executed thriller about a chess game between a Soviet citizen and a Soviet exile won the 1984 foreign lingo Oscar
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and Practice
An engrossing Swiss film that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the cerebral sport of chess.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
An essay by film historian Ronald Falzone is included on the disc, as well as a conversation with producer Arthur Cohn. Both extras are insightful.
Jamie Gillies, Apollo Guide
This movie has dated considerably and can best be called a cold war relic. Still, I did find it intriguing and an interesting premise.
John A. Nesbit, ToxicUniverse.com
a relatively charming endgame doesn't save Dangerous Moves from its ordinary opening and unimaginative middle game performances.
Christopher Null, Filmcritic.com
a metaphor for not just east vs. west, but life vs. life.

Read all 6 critic reviews

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Cast

            Michel Piccoli as Akiva Liebskind

            Alexandre Arbatt as Pavius Fromm

            Leslie Caron as Henia Liebskind

            Liv Ullmann as Marina

            Daniel Olbrychski as Tac-Tac

            Michel Aumont as Kerossian

            Serge Avedikian as Fadenko

            Pierre Michael as Yachvili

            Pierre Vial as Anton Heller

            Wojciech Pszoniak as Felton

            Jean-Hugues Anglade as Miller

            Hubert Saint-Macary as Foldes

            Bernhard Wicki as Puhl

            Jacques Boudet as Stuffli

            Sylvie Granotier as Judge Dombert

            Yaseen Khan as The Magic Hindu

            Constantin Melnik as Colonel of the KGB

            Benoit Regent as Barrabal

            Alain Rimoux as Dr. Randelier

            Mathieu Schiffman as Journalist

            Olivier Beer as Journalist

            Guy Braucourt as Journalist

            Jean-Paul Eydoux as Carsen

            Piotr Kaminski as Journalist

            Willy Nicoidsky as Prof. Polotin

            Albert Simono as Dalcroze

            Marcel Tassimot as Protazanov
See full cast

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