Knight Moves (1992)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Director:

Carl Schenkel

Writer (WGA):

Brad Mirman (written by)

Release Date:

22 January 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Mystery | Thriller

Tagline:

In a game of life and death... one wrong move could be his last...

Plot:

A chess grandmaster is in a big tournament, and when his lover is found painted up and the blood drained out of her body he becomes a chief suspect...

Plot Keywords:

Chess | Serial Killer | Super Mario | Beautiful Woman | Throat Slitting

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Christopher Lambert	...	Peter Sanderson
Diane Lane	...	Kathy Sheppard
Tom Skerritt	...	Capt. Frank Sedman
Daniel Baldwin	...	Det. Andy Wagner
Codie Lucas Wilbee	...	David, 9 Years Old
Joshua Murray	...	Peter, 14 Years Old (as Josh Murray)
Frank C. Turner	...	Doctor
Don Thompson	...	Father
Megan Leitch	...	Mother
Alex Diakun	...	Grandmaster Lutz
Ferdy Mayne	...	Jeremy Edmonds (as Ferdinand Mayne)
Katharine Isabelle	...	Erica Sanderson (as Katherine Isobel)
Mark Wilson	...	Newscaster
Kehli O'Byrne	...	Debi Rutlege
Blu Mankuma	...	Steve Nolan

Also Known As:

Face to Face
Knight Moves (Germany)
Knight Moves - Ein mörderisches Spiel (Germany)

Runtime:

108 min | Spain:113 min | Argentina:116 min

Country:

Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Iceland:16 | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Canada:14 (Nova Scotia) | Canada:16+ (Quebec) | Canada:PA (Manitoba) | Canada:R (Ontario) | France:-12 | Germany:16 | Spain:13 | UK:18 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

Bavaria Filmstudios, Geiselgasteig, Grünwald, Bavaria, Germany

Company:

Cineplex Odeon Films

Goofs:

Revealing mistakes: Midway through the film Peter Sanderson and Frank Sedman are conferring with a computer whiz. When we see a full view of the table that the men are standing around it's not Sedman but Tom Skerritt's stand-in - his face is in full view.

Quotes:

David: Please, I don't want to get into the psychological aspects of my actions. It would detract from the game.
Peter Sanderson: How?
David: I couldn't say it better than Huxley.
Peter Sanderson: Well, Huxley's quote also says, "for his play is always fair and just."
David: So, is mine within the framework of my rules.

Movie Connections:

Features Super Mario Bros. (1985) (VG)

Soundtrack:

Fool That I Am

CheckMate!

On the advice of some the comments I read here on the IMDB site, I picked up a $4.99 on sale wide screen DVD of this film. This film is an outstanding and extremely well written dark, disturbing murder thriller. I was amazed not expecting it to be this good! It does remind me a lot of the early 1970's Dario Argento films with it's black gloved razor blade clutching killer, oddball characters and film style. Set on an isolated island off the coast of British Columbia during a world chess championship, the killer is murdering the locals leaving scrawled blood drenched clues above their beds as he murders by chess moves. Christopher Lambert is one of the eccentric chess players drawn into the mystery who may(or may not)himself be the culprit. The clues in this movie stand up for any mystery lover and it was fun to try to solve the riddles presented and figure out who-dun-it. This is definately Lambert's best film role as he delivers a feverish performance. Last 20 minutes you will be on the edge of your seat as the film rushes to it's chilling and VERY exciting finale. The final camera "flash" shot (see the film then you will know what I am referring too) and last line spoken was a brilliant way to end this really great mystery thriller. This film was only fairly received upon it's initial release and most people have never even heard of it. I recommend this movie very highly for those who like an intelligent mystery that relies on mood, stylish directing and a well written script. 10/10 this movie blew me away!