La Diagonale du Fou (Dangerous Moves)

Critics Consensus

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La Diagonale du Fou (Dangerous Moves) Photos

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Movie Info

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:

PG
Genre:

Art House & International, Drama
Directed By:

Richard Dembo
In Theaters:

Apr 25, 1984 wide
On Disc/Streaming:

Jun 24, 2003
Runtime:

96 minutes

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 Avédikian
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

Olivier Beer
as Journalist

Guy Braucourt
as Journalist

Jean-Paul Eydoux
as Carsen

Piotr Kaminski
as Journalist

Yaseen Khan
as The Magic Hindu

Constantin Melnik
as Colonel of the KGB

Willy Nicoidsky
as Prof. Polotin

Alain Rimoux
as Dr. Randelier

Mathieu Schiffman
as Journalist

Albert Simono
as Dalcroze

Marcel Tassimot
as Protazanov

Jacques Boudet
as Stuffli

Sylvie Granotier
as Judge Dombert

Benoit Regent
as Barrabal

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Critic Reviews for La Diagonale du Fou (Dangerous Moves)

All Critics (5) | DVD (2)

This well executed thriller about a chess game between a Soviet citizen and a Soviet exile won the 1984 foreign lingo Oscar

Jan 2, 2011 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…

Emanuel Levy
EmanuelLevy.Com
An engrossing Swiss film that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the cerebral sport of chess.

Aug 22, 2004 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Spirituality and Practice
This movie has dated considerably and can best be called a cold war relic. Still, I did find it intriguing and an interesting premise.

Mar 2, 2004 | Rating: 73/100 | Full Review…

Jamie Gillies
Apollo Guide
a relatively charming endgame doesn't save Dangerous Moves from its ordinary opening and unimaginative middle game performances.

Jun 22, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/5 | Full Review…

John A. Nesbit
ToxicUniverse.com
a metaphor for not just east vs. west, but life vs. life.

Jun 19, 2003 | Rating: 4/5

Christopher Null
Filmcritic.com

View All Critic Reviews (5)

Audience Reviews for La Diagonale du Fou (Dangerous Moves)

Jul 22, 2014

A Soviet exile and a Soviet citizen are pitted in a high-pressure chess match. While some of the events, like the witch doctor in the audience, are funny and interesting, as a whole, this film is about as exciting and entertaining as you'd think a film about chess would be. What the film fails to do is get into the heads of these players to the point that their machinations raise to the level of compelling drama. Overall, I balk at calling a film boring, but honesty compels me to say that Dangerous Moves is kinda boring.

Jim H Super Reviewer
May 31, 2013

Taut, well acted Cold War type political thriller in which the battlefield is the world championship chess match between a Soviet and a Soviet defector. Won the Best Foreign Language Oscar. Excellent movie.

Morris N Super Reviewer