Schachnovelle (2021)
"He turned resistance into a game"

Title: Chess Story
Original Title: Schachnovelle
Release Date: 2021-09-23
Status: Released
Rating: 6.9/10 (from 128 votes)
Language: DE
Genres: History, Drama, War, Thriller
Production Companies: Walker & Worm Film, Dor Film, BR, ORF, StudioCanal, Studio Babelsberg, ARD, ARD Degeto
1938. While the Nazi troops march into Vienna, the lawyer Josef Bartok hastily tries to escape to the USA with his wife but is arrested by the Gestapo. Bartok remains steadfast and refuses to cooperate with the Gestapo that requires confidential information from him. Thrown into solitary confinement, Bartok is psychologically tormented for months and begins to weaken. However, when he steals an old book about chess it sets him on course to overcome the mental suffering inflicted upon him, until it becomes a dangerous obsession.
Cast

Oliver Masucci
Dr. Josef Bartok

Albrecht Schuch
Franz-Josef Böhm

Birgit Minichmayr
Anna Bartok

Rolf Lassgård
Owen McConnor

Andreas Lust
Johann Prantl

Samuel Finzi
Alfred Koller

Lukas Miko
Gustav Sailer

Joel Basman
Barkeeper Willem

Clemens Berndorff
Dr. Swoboda

Johannes Zeiler
Dr. Fink