Brainwashed (1960): Cast & Plot
Brainwashed is a 1960 drama directed by Gerd Oswald, starring Curd Jürgens as Werner von Basil, Mario Adorf and Hans Söhnker. It is based on A Chess Story by Stefan Zweig and Anthea Bell. It runs 1 hour 42 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 42m (102 min)
- Director
- Gerd Oswald
- Genre
- Drama
- Original language
-
German - Studio
- Roxy Film
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Brainwashed About?
The premise of Brainwashed without spoilers, adapted from A Chess Story by Stefan Zweig and Anthea Bell. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
After being seized by the Nazis in 1938, Austrian intellectual Werner von Basil is subjected to brutal interrogation aimed at forcing a confession to smuggling charges. Deprived of any mental stimulation, he turns to an old chess tactics book, the sole refuge that keeps his mind sharp and his spirit resilient.
Brainwashed Themes & Keywords
· 36 tags- chess
- based on novel
- pre world war two
- year 1938
- nazi occupied austria
- third reich
- trying to break someone down
- nazi
- nazi occupation
- intellectual
- nazi prisoner
- psychological torture
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- art smuggler
- gestapo
- trapped in a room
- ballerina
- mind game
- ss officer
- love interest
- hotel room
- solitary confinement
- nazi officer
- house arrest
- vienna austria
- nazi germany
- europe
- austria within nazi germany
- 1930s
- interwar period
- german occupation of austria
- austria
- nazi occupation of austria
- austria under national socialism
- persecution of intellectuals
- anti intellectualism
- brainwashing
Brainwashed Cast & Characters
Curd Jürgens leads the cast as Werner von Basil, with Mario Adorf as Mirko Centowic and Hans Söhnker as Bishop Ambrosse. Directed by Gerd Oswald; 17 actors are credited in all.
- Director Gerd Oswald
- Curd Jürgens as Werner von Basil
-
Mario Adorf as Mirko Centowic - Hans Söhnker as Bishop Ambrosse
- Hansjörg Felmy as Hans Berger
Also Starring in Brainwashed
· 13 more- Claire Bloom Irene Andreny
- Albert Lieven Hartmann
- Karl Stepanek Baranow
- Alan Gifford Mac Iver
- Rijk de Gooyer Secretary (uncredited)
- Rudolf Forster Hotelmanager
- Albert Bessler Scientist
- Jan Hendriks First Officer
- Dietmar Schönherr Rabbi
- Wolfgang Wahl Mondgesicht
- Dorothea Wieck Countess (uncredited)
- Harald Maresch Ballet Master
- Susanne Körber-Harlan Young Woman (uncredited)
More from Gerd Oswald
More films directed by Gerd Oswald: 80 Steps to Jonah, Agent for H.A.R.M., The Unknown and The Day the Rains Came.
Brainwashed Plot Summary
What happens in Brainwashed from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
On a voyage to a major chess tournament, the world chess champion Centowic, Mario Adorf, hopes for a safe crossing, but the departure is unsettled by the belated arrival of an anxious passenger and the quiet presence of Bishop Ambrosse, Hansjörg Felmy standing nearby.
During the voyage, the passengers press Centowic to play a match, and he reluctantly agrees. His opponents appear poised to lose until the mysterious traveler — who claims to have just handled his first chess piece at any important tournament — intervenes and helps them salvage a draw. Centowic is astonished by the stranger, who says he has never before attended such a high-level contest.
Full summary
The whole story of Brainwashed, scene by scene
How Well Do You Know Brainwashed?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who is the world chess champion featured in the film?
Brainwashed Also Known As
13 alternative titles, including “Хід короля” and “Three Moves to Freedom”.
- Also known as
-
- Хід короля
- Three Moves to Freedom
- Scacco alla follia
- משחק השחמט
- Sakknovella
- Juego de reyes
- Et spil om livet
- Le Joueur d'échecs
- Viimeinen siirto vapauteen
- Até o Último Obstáculo
- O Jogador de Xadrez
- Högt spel för friheten
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- Gestapo Zindanlarında
Seen Brainwashed?
Movies Like Brainwashed
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Master of the Game, I Escaped from the Gestapo and They Saved Hitler’s Brain.
Brainwashed FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast, the book behind it, post-credit scenes and language of Brainwashed, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Brainwashed?
Brainwashed runs 1 hour 42 minutes (102 minutes).
When was Brainwashed released?
Brainwashed was released on September 2, 1960.
Who directed Brainwashed?
Brainwashed was directed by Gerd Oswald.
More films by Gerd Oswald Who is in the cast of Brainwashed?
Brainwashed stars Curd Jürgens as Werner von Basil, Mario Adorf as Mirko Centowic and Hans Söhnker as Bishop Ambrosse, among 17 credited actors.
Is Brainwashed based on a book?
Yes. Brainwashed is adapted from A Chess Story by Stefan Zweig and Anthea Bell.
Does Brainwashed have a post-credit scene?
No. Brainwashed has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Brainwashed in?
The original language of Brainwashed is German.
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