5.0 out of 5 stars Ray's most refined

A.C. · May 20, 2018

(function() { P.when('cr-A', 'ready').execute(function(A) { if(typeof A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel === 'function') { A.toggleExpanderAriaLabel('review_text_read_more', 'Read more of this review', 'Read less of this review'); } }); })(); .review-text-read-more-expander:focus-visible { outline: 2px solid #2162a1; outline-offset: 2px; border-radius: 5px; } One of Ray's finest movies, perhaps the most refined, Shatranj ke Khilari (The Chess Players) is rich in so many ways that it is entirely possible to write several full reviews on individual aspects like the authenticity of its depiction of history, its social and political satire, the amazing screenplay by Shama Zaidi and Javed Siddiqi, or the poetry authored by Wajid Ali Shah, the Nawab of Awadh. It is also one of the best edited films by Ray with a once in a lifetime performance by actor Saeed Jaffrey as a mughal nobleman. Ray, whose fascination for Lucknow and its last mughal king Wajid Ali Shah is revealed in the children's books he wrote, delivered a masterpiece of urdu/hindi cinema, without himself speaking the languages. The original story, written by Munshi Premchand, is a crisp, short masterpiece itself. Ray paints a bigger canvas, but faithfully preserves the essence of Premchand's style - the perfectly crafted comic telling of basically a sad chapter of India's history.

5.0 out of 5 stars A very charming chess film

R.K. · May 12, 2013

Being interested in the worldwide culture of chess, I make a point of seeing every chess movie that comes along.This is certainly one of the best. cutting back and forth between two stories, thefilm delights us with a tale of two spoiled rotten gentlemen who want to do nothing but play chess, contrastedagainst the historic drama of the unilateral British domination of one final Indian province.For anyone who has been bored to tears by tedious chess films, I highly recommend this as alight in the darkness. A nice, easy lesson in the cruel choices of those who think themselvesso terribly civilized, filled with dramatic moments, some hilarious and some quite heart rending.

5.0 out of 5 stars The Chess Players

J.F. · July 5, 2007

Ray's light but lacerating satire of upper-class decadence and the bigoted hubris of British traders in colonial India places a metaphorical stake right in the middle of a chess board: Kumar and Jaffrey's childish need to reenact endless war schemes with a board game while ignoring the real world highlights their ineffectuality as "noble" men. And as the British attempt to checkmate the flaky king, even open-minded, Hindi-speaking Captain Weston (Tom Halter) forfeits his conscience to buy in to the new regime. Sumptuous costumes, elaborate set design, and one mesmerizing, dervish-like dance sequence make Ray's "Chess Players" worth capturing.

3.0 out of 5 stars WHY DOES THE PICTURE BLACK OUT WHEN USING FF OR REVERSE?

J. · September 27, 2015

This is the first time using Prime movies. The movie itself is excellent. What I do not like is the fast forward and reverse feature. Whether forward or reverse, one cannot see the actual picture as these actions are executed. This makes it extremely frustrating to get to a particular spot in the movie. C'mon guys, this is the 21st century. One should be able to see the action as one fast forwards or reverses. This flaw alone will make me think twice before I rent another ABolo Prime movie.

1.0 out of 5 stars Unfortunately. this movie was awful.

E. · October 24, 2014

I am surprised at how awful this movie was, considering all the high reviews on Bolo. Let me start by saying that it wasn't because it is subtitled, I love subtitled movies. It was just slow, the pace dragged, there wasn't a comprehensible story and I still couldn't tell you what the point of this movie was. I don't think it would have been as bad if there was a way to watch it at double time, or maybe even just read the script, because then it wouldn't drag as much, I think. I wanted to love this movie, but I am sad to say that I wouldn't recommend this to anyone!

4.0 out of 5 stars A realistic and human story out of India's past

B.U. · November 4, 2007

Written and directed by internationally acclaimed Indian filmmaker, Satyajit Ray, "The Chess Players" is an award-winning film which would appeal to an international audience for its historic content blended with human drama and touches of humour and irony. Unlike most Indian films known as `Bollywood', this film has none of the usual features of the popular musicals, and in fact, adds a few of its own unique touches such as comical animation to explain the historic setting of the story. Although there is a brief song and dance scene, it is part of a performance given to the king, and the only touch of Bollywood is the narrator, `Mr Bollywood' himself, Amitabh Bachchan. His narration explains the situation in India in 1856 when the British East India Company encroached on the last bastion of Indian rulership, but far from being an exciting, action-packed thrilling war movie, "The Chess Players" tells a more realistic story about attitudes, cultures and the personal lives of a few people caught up in the changing tide of events. The chess players are two friends who are so preoccupied with playing chess all day that they neglect their family responsibilities and are unperturbed by the British plans to take over their city. Even the Indian ruler himself prefers to compose songs and poems, fly kites and be entertained by his harem rather than attend to the affairs of state, and no doubt this film is something of a social statement as well as a history lesson. But rather than a dry and dull historic epic, Ray has managed to tell the whole story through the two main characters, the chess players, often with a tongue-in-cheek humour which makes the film highly enjoyable. Although realistic, there is still an elegant and artistic style overall, and "The Chess Players" is also visually impressive, with colourful authentic costumes of the period, real Mogul buildings and palaces, as well as characters speaking their own languages. There are several scenes with English, and easy-to-follow English subtitles when locals are speaking Hindi or Urdu. Very authentic, traditional Indian music is also heard at times in the background, adding to the overall realistic atmosphere of this period film. There is no great, thrilling climax, suspense or attempts to overly entertain except perhaps with the subtle comedy about realistic events and human relationships, and perhaps this very feature of being down-to-earth makes "The Chess Players" a welcome change from either Bollywood or Hollywood, and although it was filmed in 1977, it is still fresh and even timeless due to its subject matter and first class performances by the fine actors, one of whom is Sir Richard Attenborough as the British General. For an authentic, good dose of real India and its glorious royal history (albeit in decline), this film is hard to beat.

5.0 out of 5 stars Anyone who has the misfortune to love (or be) an electronic gaming addict will appreciate the ...

A.C. · February 9, 2016

Anyone who has the misfortune to love (or be) an electronic gaming addict will appreciate the gentle way that Ray gets it right in this portrayal.As always with Ray every shot is magnificent and the casting is perfect. The historical/political context is so colorfully drawn that it is indelible and sent me running to the books to see what really happened, happy to discover that it's all quite true .

Excellent film

D.C.V.B. · July 6, 2019

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