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.
Movie tag line: "He turned resistance into a game."
Production companies:
Character: Dr. Josef Bartok
Character: Franz-Josef Böhm
Character: Anna Bartok
Character: Owen McConnor
Character: Johann Prantl
Character: Alfred Koller
Character: Gustav Sailer
Character: Barkeeper Willem
Character: Dr. Swoboda
Character: Dr. Fink
Character: Maid Klara
Character: Fridl
Character: Policeman Erich
Character: Chess Player
Character: Dr. Wouters
Character: Ship Waiter Harry
Character: Cook
Character: Driver Max
Character: Dr. Auer
Character: Chess Player
Character: Officer in Hotel Library
Character: Seward Claas
Character: Driver
Character: Passport Controller at the Port
Character: Protester
Character: Waiter at Palais Auersperg
Character: Gestapo Man
Character: Gestapo Man
Character: Gestapo Man
Character: Pianist at Hotel Metropole
Character: Officer at Hotel Reception
Character: Gestapo Officer