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The Luzhin Defence · LeviOsa

The Luzhin Defence key art

The Luzhin Defence

Two worlds collide when an eccentric genius falls in love with a strong-willed society beauty.

RomanceDrama1h 49m

🍅58%

🍅

58%

Tomatometer

🍿

69%

Popcornmeter

6.4

TMDB

Storyline

Based upon the novel by Vladimir Nabokov, a chess grandmaster travels to Italy in the 1920s to play in a tournament and falls in love.

Trailers

The Luzhin Defence trailer thumbnail

Luzhin Defence

Details

DirectorMarleen Gorris

ReleasedAug 21, 2000

StatusReleased

Original languageEnglish

Budget

$1.9M

Revenue

Not disclosed

Parental guideUCZ

Studios

France 2 CinémaICE3Lantia Cinema & AudiovisiviMagic MediaRenaissance FilmsVulcan Productions

Cast

John Turturro

John Turturro

Aleksandr Ivanovich 'Sascha' Luzhin

Emily Watson

Emily Watson

Natalia Katkov

Geraldine James

Geraldine James

Vera, Natalia's Mother

Stuart Wilson

Stuart Wilson

Valentionov

Fabio Sartor

Fabio Sartor

Turati

Peter Blythe

Peter Blythe

Ilya

Orla Brady

Orla Brady

Anna

Mark Tandy

Mark Tandy

Luzhin's Father

Kelly Hunter

Kelly Hunter

Luzhin's Mother

Antonio Carli

Antonio Carli

Fascist

Christopher Thompson

Christopher Thompson

Stassard

Alfredo Pea

Alfredo Pea

1st Official

Where to watch(NG)

Rent / Buy

Amazon Video

Apple TV Store

Google Play Movies

YouTube

Fandango At Home

Reviews

7 reviews · 6 critics

2 fresh · 4 rotten

Critics consensus

“Tuturro and Watson play well off each other in this intriguing and well-crafted film.”

58% TomatometerRotten Tomatoes

J

Jonathan Rosenbaum

RTChicago ReaderJun 22, 2022

I realize that every film adaptation of a good novel involves some sort of trade-off and that fair exchanges are few and far between. But this movie takes away a good two-thirds...

G

Glenn Kenny

RTPremiere MagazineSep 4, 2001

One has to assume that Sony Pictures Classics hopes to attract Nabokov-philes to theaters. And, boy, will they be pissed.

C

Chris Vognar

RTDallas Morning NewsJun 14, 2001

Makes up for a creaky structure with the intensity of emotion and psychological nuance provided by two of our finest screen actors.

M

Matt Brunson

RTFilm FrenzyMar 2, 2024

A worthy effort for most of its running time.

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More trailers on YouTube

Information

Title

The Luzhin Defence

Released

Aug 21, 2000

Rated

U

Region of Origin

France, United Kingdom

Original Audio

English

Runtime

1h 49m

Status

Released

Studios

France 2 Cinéma, ICE3

Breathe