The Luzhin Defence poster

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

The Luzhin Defence

6.4 / 10 6.4 2000 1h 49m

RomanceDrama

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.

Directed by Marleen Gorris

VISUAL NOTES

Stills from The Luzhin Defence

The Luzhin Defence still 1

CAST

The people behind the story

John Turturro

John TurturroAleksandr Ivanovich 'Sascha' Luzhin

Emily Watson

Emily WatsonNatalia Katkov

Geraldine James

Geraldine JamesVera, Natalia's Mother

Stuart Wilson

Stuart WilsonValentionov

Fabio Sartor

Fabio SartorTurati

Peter Blythe

Peter BlytheIlya

Orla Brady

Orla BradyAnna

Mark Tandy

Mark TandyLuzhin's Father