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Movie

Where to Watch 8 X 8: A Chess Sonata in 8 Movements (1955) in the US

1955
1h 20m
5.7IMDb

Music

We have not confirmed a streaming, rental, or purchase option for 8 X 8: A Chess Sonata in 8 Movements in the United States.

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Availability last checked Sep 27, 2026.

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What it's about

Described by Marcel Duchamp as "a fairy tale for grown-ups", 8×8 resembles a portal leading to an exploration of the fantasy world while using the fixed rules of chess to stimulate our imagination. Written by Hans Richter, the grandfather of experimental film, who cites Lewis Carroll and Sigmund Freud in the opening crawl, the film is composed of narrative segments. Famous friends, including Jean Cocteau, Max Ernst, Paul Bowles, Jean Arp, Alexander Calder, and, in the Venetian episode, Peggy Guggenheim, complete the assemblage of exceptional personalities.

Cast and crew

Director: Jean Cocteau, Hans Richter
Writer: Hans Richter
Starring: Jean Arp, Paul Bowles, Ceal Bryson

Details

Release date: Mar 15, 1957
Language: English
Country: United States
Awards: 1 nomination total