The Chess Players

In 1856 Awadh is one of the last independent kingdoms of India, ruled by Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. The British want to annex this rich land and send General Outram. While the court fills with intrigue, the Nawab spends his time on music, poetry and religious practice. Two noblemen, Mir and Mirza, care about nothing at all; they play chess from morning to night. As their country changes hands they are looking for a new board. Satyajit Ray's film is his only feature in Hindi and Urdu. The narrative runs on two tracks: real politics at court, a game at home. Ray sets them side by side as allegory but does not reduce the chess players to symbols; both are likeable in their way, and that is exactly what makes them uncomfortable. Sanjeev Kumar and Saeed Jaffrey play the chess players and Amjad Khan plays the Nawab. Richard Attenborough plays General Outram. Who it's for: Viewers who like Satyajit Ray, Indian history, and allegorical narrative. Who it's not for: The political sections are dense for anyone without the historical context. The pace is also slow, as in Ray's other films.