Original subtitles

[ Vehicle approaching ]

- [ vehicle slowing ] - What is it?

Shh.

[ Engine idling nearby ]

- [ engine turns off ] - WOMAN: Yuri?

It's the police.

[ Banging ]

You stay here.

You haven't seen me.

[ Thuds ]

[ theme music playing ]

[ horse whinnies ]

[ beeping ]

[ click ]

[ seabirds squawking ]

[ beeping ]

MALE VOICE: Good morning, Jim.

Gregor Antonov is one of Europe's ranking chess masters,

and a scientist

on a major Soviet defense project.

His wife died five years ago,

and he has become increasingly disenchanted

with his work in the arms race.

The killing of Antonov's son, an outspoken critic

in the antinuclear movement,

has made Antonov determined to defect to the West

with his 15-year-old daughter, Sasha.

Soviet officials are aware of this,

and security around Antonov is ironclad.

This week, Antonov will be competing

in the World Chess Championships

in Czechoslovakia.

Security will be extremely tight,

perhaps impregnable.

Your mission, Jim,

should you decide to accept it,

is to smuggle Antonov and his daughter

out of Czechoslovakia.

As always, should you or any of your IM Force

be caught or killed,

the Secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions.

[ Rapid beeping ]

[ hissing ]

[ gentle mechanical whirring ]

Major Natalia Zorbuskaya.

She'll be in direct charge

of Gregor Antonov while he's in Prague.

Pretty tough-looking chaperone.

PHELPS: Yeah, she is.

Political assassination, murder, torture, you name it.

Our Moscow sources link her with the death of Antonov's son.

- Well, does Antonov know that? - NICHOLAS: No.

And he mustn't know until we get him out of there.

PHELPS: But she knows that

he's ripe for defection, and she knows if he gets away

she spends the rest of her life in Siberia.

Joseph Rultka.

In his time, he was known as the Houdini of Europe.

He's now retired and living quietly outside Prague,

and he wants to help us.

A magician?

MAX: A man after my own heart.

I did some magic when I was at school.

[ Chuckles ]

[ chuckles ]

Magic is gonna be very important to us.

Getting Gregor Antonov and his daughter

out of Czechoslovakia is gonna be quite a trick.

[ Train whistle blowing ]

[ excited chatter ]

WOMAN [ over P.A. ]: The International Express Train

from Moscow, Warsaw and Ostrova...

Hey!

...Is now arriving.

[ Excited chatter ]

Mr. Antonov, could you tell us, please, how do you feel?

ZORBUSKAYA: No questions.

There will be press conference at hotel.

Mr. Antonov, would you consider this a grudge match

between yourself and Bakunin?

I bear no grudges.

ZORBUSKAYA: I said no questions.

NICHOLAS: Oh, please, could we have one more picture?

ZORBUSKAYA: No more photographs.

You will wait till we get to the hotel.

Make way, my friends, for Sandu!

And come and see the greatest illusion

created on any stage in Europe.

No, no. No autographs, please.

Tonight! The Hotel Pilsen!

Take him to the car.

MAX: See it tonight, my friends, at the Lion of Pilsen Hotel.

One show only; tickets at the door.

Reservations from the concierge.

[ Southern accent ]: Now, do you suppose that's just hot air,

or is that old boy any good?

Never heard of him.

Ah, excuse me, sir.

May I?

MAX: Sandu!

[ Applause ]

I kind of liked that.

I wonder if I could put that back in the States

along with these here chess players.

Oh, Mosley, ma'am, Ferguson Mosley,

Longhorn, Texas.

Eh.

Mr. Max, Joseph Rultka.

We have much work to do.

Come with me, please.

RULTKA: So, Mr. Max...

...magic is illusion.

The eye will see and the brain will believe

whatever you want them to.

Are you ticklish, young lady?

[ Casey giggles ]

[ Rultka chuckles ]

Illusion!

[ Grunts ]

All is illusion.

I see you don't do things by halves.

[ laughs ]

Well, come now, Mr. Max...

...let me see what you have learned.

NICHOLAS: How many years have you been playing this game?

GREGOR: Uh, since I was a boy-- I would not like to say

how many years that is.

Bakunin is a much younger man, Mr. Antonov.

Do you consider his age an advantage?

[ Gregor chuckles ]

Age is an illusion.

There is no advantage.

You defeated Bakunin in Leningrad, Mr. Antonov.

Will you play as well in Prague?

[ Gregor chuckles ]

We are not playing... football, my friend.

One chessboard is the same as another.

[ laughter ]

NICHOLAS: D-Do you have any qualms as whether or not

- you're gonna win or lose this game? -Ah, no, no,

I never worry before the game.

I worry like hell all the way through the game.

Mr. Antonov, do you have any plans

to play any matches in England or the United States?

[ Sighs ]: Uh...

that is... difficult for me to say.

MAN: Comrade Antonov,

it would be best to win championship

before planning world tours.

I see no one here who could stop me winning.

I am here, comrade, and I will stop you.

I have not been the one who has been avoiding

- our match, comrade. - What are you implying?

I fear no one!

A man who fears no one is a fool.

BAKUNIN: You think I am a fool, comrade?

GREGOR: I think you are a boy, comrade.

- Uh, no more interview. - Look at this, gentlemen.

- This old man wins by one game in Leningrad. -A small child...

- Interview is over! - Just like a child.

- When you grow up... -Mikhail Bakunin will win in Prague!

BAKUNIN: And you can quote me on that, gentlemen!

- GREGOR: Go home, boy! - Old man!

[ Bird cooing ]

Good, good.

Slowly...

Using the power of the mind,

you concentrate.

Concentrate raising up... up.

Very good, very good.

Now you try with this one.

Excuse me, partner, I wonder if I

just might have a word with you.

No, no, I'm sorry, not now.

This is about travel arrangements

for you-- for you and your daughter, Sasha.

Perhaps I could spare you a moment.

Later.

PHELPS: Well, you just call me anytime

you're ready to go on tour.

I promise you

it will be magical.

Comrade, it is time.

Take Comrade Antonov to his match.

You, you come with me.

[ Trilling ]

[ indistinct voices on TV ]

GREGOR [ on TV ]: Age is an illusion.

There is no advantage...

NICHOLAS: You defeated Bakunin in Leningrad, Mr. Antonov.

Will you play as well in Prague?

[ Gregor chuckles ]

GREGOR: We are not playing

football, my friend.

One chessboard is the same as another.

[ laughter ]

NICHOLAS: Mr. Antonov, do you have plans

to play any matches in England or the United States?

GREGOR: Uh, that is...

difficult for me to say.

Now, ma'am, if I'd known that you were Mr. Antonov's manager,

I would have come straight to you.

I mean, if we don't have professional courtesy,

what do we have?

I always say that.

I don't know what you are talking about.

What were you saying to Comrade Antonov?

Well, of course, that was kind of private, you know.

Not any more.

Well, seeing as how you're very interested,

I was asking Mr. Antonov if he'd be prepared

to come back to Texas with me.

You are inciting him to defect.

Oh, hell, ma'am, nobody's inciting anything.

I want Mr. Antonov to play chess against the American champion.

Now that's provided he beats Mr. Bakunin

here, of course.

Now there's first-class accommodations.

First-class air transport to Texas and back.

And a percentage of the TV rights.

Comrade Antonov is not interested.

Well, then, of course,

there's always maybe a little bonus for the manager,

if you get my meaning.

Mr. Mosley, it is not wise

to offer bribe to party official.

It is not wise to attempt to subvert

Soviet citizen.

If you do not wish

your travel documents to be revoked,

I suggest you approach me before

making your capitalist offers.

Do you understand me, Mr. Mosley?

[ Chucking ]: Oh, yes.

Yes, I do understand you, ma'am.

That's wonderful.

Business is business the world over.

Now you just call me anytime you're ready

to talk about the details.

I want him watched.

Mr. Mosley is not as stupid as he would have us believe.

MALE VOICE: Antonov obtained his university entrance at 14,

one of the youngest ever to have been admitted

to the science faculty.

He was a reclusive student with few friends,

and obtained his degree in two years,

cutting in half the normal time required.

Quite a brain, Professor, quite a brain.

I've got some real clear recordings

of Antonov's voice for you

when you're ready for them.

This is the fourth meeting

between Comrades Antonov and Bakunin,

and the first since the European Championships

in Leningrad,

which Comrade Antonov won

by one game.

Comrade Antonov will play the white.

Gentlemen, you may begin.

White.

Pawn to king pawn four.

Looks like it's going to be an exciting game, ma'am.

A man who fears no one is a fool.

[ Beep ]

[ imitating Gregor ]: A man who fears no one is a fool.

[ Tape squealing ]

A man who fears no one is a fool.

[ Beep ]

A man who fears no one is a fool.

[ Trilling ]

JUDGE: Black.

Knight to queen four.

Looks like Mr. Bakunin's a little rattled, ma'am.

Game is not finished till last move is made.

As you may well discover, Mr. Mosley.

Very good. Very good.

And... yes.

Good. Yes, very good.

Excellent. Very good.

You learn very quickly.

[ Clapping ]

Yes. Very good.

Hey!

[ Casey laughs ]

Yes.

[ laughing ]

And now I think you are ready for...

the floating phantom.

JUDGE: Black.

Rook to queen's rook one.

Check.

JUDGE: White.

Queen to queen's rook two.

JUDGE: Black.

Rook to queen's rook seven.

I think we have a stalemate, Comrade.

[ Audience gasping and murmuring ]

Comrade Bakunin?

- [ Woman gasps ] - BAKUNIN: They call it

gamesmanship, I call it cheating!

You're accusing Antonov of cheating, Mr. Bakunin?

- Comrade Bakunin did not cheat... -What is this...?

What is this, playing with the ring

and the brushing of the cheek?

What is that supposed to do but put me off my game?

You accuse me of cheating? It is stalemate.

What sort of man plays for stalemate?

No! I've had enough!

- I've never cheated. - First in Leningrad.

- Child. -Now in Prague. this stalemate.

No. What sort of champion plays for stalemate?

Seem to be having a little trouble

with your boys, Miss Zorbuskaya.

Maybe a trip to Texas will do 'em both good.

Major.

Major Zorbuskaya.

And there is no trouble, Mr. Mosley.

And there will be no trip to Texas.

[ ♪ ]

[ door closes ]

Is this good enough to keep me out of the salt mines?

You look just like a chess master, man.

But can I think like a chess master?

ZORBUSKAYA: I am not interested

in your hurt feelings or your pride.

The gala tonight has been arranged

to honor two Soviet chess masters.

You will attend.

I have been publicly humiliated.

Accused of cheating!

Now I am to be paraded like a prize cow.

You do not seem to understand.

There is no point of discussion here,

no alternatives to be considered.

You will attend the gala,

you will behave discreetly,

and you will bring credit to the Soviet.

Oh...

and you will, of course, enjoy yourself.

[ Door closes ]

[ classical music playing ]

[ crowd chatter ]

[ ♪ ]

[ indistinct chatter ]

it's very nice to meet you.

MAN: Comrade.

[ Applause ]

Antonov, you damn little bookworm!

- Oh. - [ laughing ]

GREGOR: Rudensky. So good to see you!

- We haven't seen each other since university. -No.

This teacher's pet won every damn prize

that a student could win.

[ Rudensky laughs ]

He's an intellectual Olympian

with more medals than a rabbit has rabbits.

[ Rudensky laughs ]

We are going to get drunk and talk about the old days.

Hmm? We're sitting with the bookworm.

Commissar Rudensky.

[ Music ends, applause ]

MAN: Honored guests and comrades.

Ladies and gentlemen...

...proud to present an evening of magic and illusions

with one of the greatest magicians in the world.

And here he is, after his triumphant...

[ announcer continues indistinctly ]

And for the first time in Czechoslovakia,

the great Sandu.

[ Applause, classical music playing ]

Krensky, get my cigars and my flask of vodka.

[ ♪ ]

[ applause ]

[ applause ]

- [ music stops ] - Ladies and gentlemen,

tonight, you are about to see feats of legerdemain,

acts of illusion and prestidigitation such

As you have never before in your lives witnessed.

[ Classical music playing ]

[ applause ]

But before we proceed with this tableau of trickery...

...let me introduce you to the reason

for our presence here tonight--

those champions of chess

Comrade Mikhail Bakunin and Comrade Gregor Antonov.

[ Applause ]

Ladies and gentlemen...

[ sighs ]

...we're about to ask one of our champions

to join us here onstage

for the first and most spectacular of the magical

and mysterious marvels--

the world-famous illusion

of the floating phantom.

[ Audience applauds, classical music plays ]

Comrade Antonov, will you come with us

on a magical mystery tour?

- Gregor, do it, do it. - I would be happy to oblige.

- No. - Ladies and gentlemen,

Comrade Antonov has gallantly volunteered to be

the first participant in the floating phantom.

Well, it's just a little bit of trickery, ma'am.

Sit down, Major.

[ Classical music playing ]

[ ♪ ]

[ ♪ ]

[ applause ]

[ audience gasping ]

Follow me.

Where is he?

Where is Comrade Antonov?

[ Audience laughing ]

Where is he?

Where is Comrade Antonov?

Tell me now.

We're getting you out of here, Professor.

But they will know I have gone-- all those people watching me.

No, sir, they'll be watching him.

Good luck, Professor.

Come on, let's go.

I give you five seconds to return Antonov.

One... two...

Three... four... five.

[ Applause and gasping ]

[ audience murmuring ]

[ snaps fingers ]

[ classical music playing ]

MAN: Bravo.

[ laughter ]

You're safe, Professor.

Here, sit down and relax.

Oh... thank you.

Your new identity.

Yours... and your daughter's.

[ Gregor sighs ]

You'll both be out of the country by midnight.

You have made fool of yourself and of me.

Perhaps I have made a fool of myself.

As for you, Comrade Major... I don't think you need my help.

I will remember those words.

Believe me... I will laugh last.

[ Indistinct chatter ]

Of course, that was back in the bad old days

of Longhorn, Texas.

Man, that magician was so bad-- ma'am--

we had to run him out of town on a rail.

Perhaps you didn't know magic was all illusion.

Casey, the train with Antonov's daughter arrives in an hour.

I'll be there.

Mr. Mosley.

Mr. Sandu, I'll be in touch.

[ Rudensky laughing ]

[ speaks Russian ]

Rudensky, please, I have to play again tomorrow.

You always were a swine, Antonov.

[ Chuckles ]

Remember the girl in the coffee shop,

the one who only liked intellectual types?

What was her name?

Oh... the girl in the coffee shop.

There were so many.

So many?

You, Antonov?

So many girls?

So many... coffee shops.

[ laughing ]

[ both laughing ]

[ laughter continues ]

[ laughing ]: Coffee shops.

[ Chuckles ]

[ train whistle blows ]

WOMAN [ over P.A. ]: Attention, the Prague Express

has been delayed and is running

12 hours behind schedule.

I repeat, the Prague Express has been delayed

and is running 12 hours behind schedule.

[ Train whistle blows ]

And don't for a moment imagine

that your friendship with Commissar Rudensky

will mean any relaxation of security here.

It never entered my mind.

There will be guards posted outside your door

and outside your window all through the night.

[ Door closes ]

[ sighs ]

[ men chattering indistinctly ]

Where's my daughter? Where is Sasha?

The Express has been delayed.

There's been a derailment somewhere up the line.

Sasha won't be here for another 12 hours.

Then she'll have to follow later.

No, no.

Mr. Antonov, you know how tight security is around Nicholas.

We can't exchange you back for him,

and we can't get him away from them

before you're safely across the border.

I won't leave without my daughter.

She'll be safe here with us.

Like my son?

Maybe Nicholas could keep up the impersonation for another day.

Except for one thing.

Yeah, he'd have to play chess tomorrow against Bakunin.

I'm sorry.

He would betray himself within three moves.

Mr. Antonov, could I take a look at that ring?

Please.

You know, I made a duplicate of this ring for Nicholas to wear.

If we could exchange the duplicate for this one

after I modify it...

Modify it?

So that it could receive a slight electrical pulse

from a transmitter.

- Like Morse code. - Exactly like Morse code.

Nicholas would feel the impulse through his ring finger

and we could let him know what happened.

Tomorrow at the tournament, Mr. Antonov, you could decide

his moves and we could relay 'em to him.

You can tap into the satellite television broadcast

and relay it?

Yeah.

As far as the border?

Not a problem-- further.

Then maybe Nicholas can play tomorrow and win.

[ Knocking ]

Come in.

I'm sorry your supper is late, comrade,

but the Prague Express doesn't get in until tomorrow,

and everything is upside-down.

Thank you, I'm hungry.

It is only boiled eggs, but an egg

is full of everything you need.

[ Rattling ]

I just hope Nicholas has put that ring on.

And that he got the message.

MAN [ over P.A. ]: Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.

[ Indistinct chatter ]

[ camera shutters clicking ]

[ applause ]

[ beep ]

[ applause ]

[ m utters ]

This boy will make a champion when he gets older.

As long as it's not today.

[ Camera shutter clicking ]

[ crowd chatter ]

[ camera shutters clicking ]

Okay.

Let's see if Nicholas is on our wavelength.

[ Beep ]

[ beeping ]

He got the message.

This'll keep us in touch with the match

until we reach the border.

JUDGE: The match will now begin.

Comrade Bakunin will play white

and will move first.

White...

Pawn to king pawn four.

It's time, Mr. Antonov. Now.

We are getting back on the train, Sasha.

Soon... we will be safe.

[ Train whistle blowing ]

[ train chugging and rattling on tracks ]

Bishop to knight seven.

Bishop... knight seven.

[ Click, ticking ]

Black.

Bishop to knight seven.

[ Train rattling on tracks ]

[ train whistle blowing ]

[ train hissing and squeaking ]

MAN [ over P.A. ]: We are now at the border.

Documents must be ready for inspection.

Do not leave your seats until inspection has been completed

and the train is given permission to proceed.

Please have your passports ready.

Very good, Bakunin.

Very clever.

MAN [ over P.A. ]: Documents must be ready for inspection.

Do not leave your seats

until inspection has been completed...

Guards.

No, wait, wait.

He has us in difficulties.

MAN [ over P.A. ]: ...your passports ready.

[ Sighs ]

No time.

[ Max sighs ]

Passports.

[ Computer game trilling and chirping ]

GUARD: Hmm... [ speaks Russian ]

[ trilling and chirping ]

JUDGE: 15 seconds, Mr. Antonov.

[ Ticking ]

[ sighs ]

[ ticking ]

JUDGE: Time, Mr. Antonov.

Black.

Knight to king's bishop six.

[ Video game chirping and whirring ]

GUARD: Thank you.

[ Video game chirping ]

[ typing ]

Incredible.

What's happened?

He's made a move on his own.

And it was brilliant.

Bakunin is finished.

Knight to queen two.

Knight... to queen two.

JUDGE: Black. Knight to queen two.

I concede.

- [ Murmuring ] -JUDGE: Ladies and gentlemen, Comrade Bakunin

concedes the second game of the World Chess Championships

to Comrade Antonov

after 21 moves.

[ Applause ]

[ camera shutter clicking ]

MAN 2: Bravo!

[ Overlapping chatter and shouting ]

He's conceded.

Nicholas has done it.

I have won.

[ Max chuckles ]

[ train whistle blowing ]

I suppose congratulations would not be out of place.

It is only a game.

Like life, Antonov.

Yes.

Like life,

Comrade.

Win or lose, Comrade Antonov is still headed for Siberia.

Keep your eyes on him.

[ Crowd chatter ]

Oh, hell, I thought

you reporter fellas never missed anything.

There's old Antonov upstairs

giving a press conference in his room,

and you're missing it all.

REPORTER: They say he's upstairs. Quickly, to the room!

[ Clamoring voices ]

- Antonov?! Where's Mr. Antonov? - Mr. Antonov.

[ Overlapping chatter ]

What do you want, sir?

Well, you see, I got this problem here.

This bag belongs to Major Zorbuskaya.

Uh, you know Major Zorbuskaya?

Of course.

Well, she's gone off to the train station

and kind of left me holding the bag,

if you understand what I mean.

Now I have 100 U.S. dollars for you

if you'll get this to her before she gets on the train.

Now it's just on the QT. Nobody knows but you and me.

Thank you very much, sir.

- Where is Antonov? - No. -Please get back. Come on.

Please get back. Please keep clear!

No press! We mean it!

[ Overlapping chatter, knocking ]

- WOMAN: They are holding us downstairs... -[ crowd chatter ]

- No press. - I have a press card.

MAN: I have a press card.

[ Overlapping chatter ]

GUARD: We can't have press. Please!

Please keep clear. Please keep clear.

No press!

[ Overlapping chatter ]

Hold the door. Quick! Inside.

Come on. Must be in the bedroom.

- [ Overlapping chatter ] - No press. No press.

- [ Overlapping chatter ] - In the other room!

- Please! - No. Over here.

[ Overlapping chatter ]

[ indistinct voices ]

I don't know. I...

ZORBUSKAYA: What are you doing here?

No press allowed here.

You have no permission. Leave now.

No photograph, no interview.

Excuse me.

This means you, also. Leave.

[ Overlapping chatter ]

[ car engine starts ]

You fools, he's gone!

Get me a car!

Move! Get that car!

It would seem

like Comrade Major Zorbuskaya has been planning a trip.

A very long trip.

United States currency.

A car, Pietor, and a motorcycle escort.

We will see who will be first to the railway station.

[ Crowd chatter ]

[ train whistle blowing ]

Zorbuskaya.

Wait here.

[ Speaking Russian ]

Comrade.

Come with us.

What?

Search her!

What is the meaning of this?

Major Zorbuskaya, you are under arrest.

I don't know what you are talking about.

No! No!

They are on the train!

[ Train whistle blowing ]

I know nothing of this!

The train! You must let me get on the train!

Oh, you will get on the train, Major.

The train to Siberia.

[ Train chugging ]

It appears special travel arrangements are being made

for Major Zorbuskaya.

How about our other travelers?

I just received word that the train has crossed the border.

Antonov and his daughter have reached Vienna.

Check... mate...

and game.

[ Train whistle blowing ]

[ theme music playing ]