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List Price: $29.95Amazon.com's Price: $26.99 You Save: $2.96 (10%)Prices subject to change.
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Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Binding: DVD
EAN: 0738329040826
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, Subtitled, NTSC
Label: Kino Video
Manufacturer: Kino Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Kino Video
Region Code: 1
Release Date: April 18, 2006
Running Time: 129 minutes
Sales Rank: 35284
Studio: Kino Video
Theatrical Release Date: 1977
Editorial Review:
Product Description:
Studio: Kino International Release Date: 04/18/2006 Run time: 115 minutes
Amazon.com:
Written, composed, and directed by Indian master Satyajit Ray (Pather Panchali), The Chess Players presents a stylized world in which the landed gentry lounge about, endlessly pulling on hookahs and engaging in the 'king of games.' Outside their gilded doors, the order that allows them this luxury--let alone their marriages--is crumbling. They couldn't be more oblivious. As the narrator notes, 'Mr. Meer and Mr. Mirza are only playing at warfare. Their armies are pieces of ivory. Their battlefield: a piece of cloth.' Set in 1856 Lucknow, the noblemen (Saeed Jaffrey and Sanjeev Kumar) are situated in one of the few Indian territories not ruled by Britain's East India Company. The British, meanwhile, are also playing a game of chess, and equally oblivious Oudh ruler Nawab Wajid Ali Shah (Amjad Khan) is the king they intend to capture. Forthright General Outram (Sir Richard Attenborough, Ghandi), assisted by the more culturally erudite Captain Weston (Tom Alter), is the man charged with the task. It shouldn’t be difficult: Like Meer and Mirza, Wajid would prefer to relax--to write poetry, to fly kites--rather than to rule. Along the way, Oudh will fall, but the chess will continue. Based on a story by Munshi Premchand, The Chess Players was Ray’s most elaborate production. It was also his first in Hindi (with English) and its frames are filled with music, dance, opulent pageantry, and humorous banter--even a lively animated sequence. Behind the attractive façade, however, lies a lament for lost opportunities. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating: - A funny kind of blue film
Few people are aware that the British Empire was as bad as this
with marching into a peaceful kingdom that had long time supported them.
The two landed gentry struggle to play the Indian version of chess in this time of transition. The story of the king asked to step down contrary to a signed treaty just so that the "Company" could make a higher profit
is a classical historic one. The other Indian kingdoms gained nothing but
Kipling novels for their efforts to resist.
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Rating: - Stunning!
This has always been one of my favourite films. I love almost everything from Satajit Ray but this is probably his best.
One of the most appealing feature of the movie is the language. On personal preference only, I classify Hindi/Urdu as one of the more beautiful, musical languages of the world and the dialog in this film is pure pleasure to listen to.
The only problem, which cost a star, is that my copy of the DVD is not very well produced. It's not actually faulty but ... Read More
Rating: - Classic, must-see movie
This film by Satyajit Ray is a deeply layered film. It's a historical film, about the takeover by the British East India Company of the Indian kingdom of Oudh. The title refers implicitly to the British as they maneuver for control without firing a shot, even as it explicitly refers to a couple of Oudh noblemen, descendants of mighty warriors, who care more about playing Chess than seeing (or doing anything about) what's around them. There are a number of very memorable scenes, and the film leaves ... Read More
Rating: - A realistic and human story out of India's past
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 ... Read More
Rating: - Interesting art film
great for filmakers, students, crytics, but not for general audiences.
great for watching in peace and private, not for popcorn & coke casual encounter.
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