Barbaric Genius

Documentary

2012, Movie, 1h 13min

The remarkable story of John Healy's rise from wino and street thief to chess master and award-winning author.

Country: Ireland

Director:

Paul Duane

Cast:

John Healy,

John Healy

Where to Watch Barbaric Genius online

Subscription

Netflix

Watch

Through some of the links above, we may earn a commission as an affiliate partner. See the full affiliate disclosure here

Ratings

Your rating:

IMDb rating

Visit page

6.5

Critic rating

Average critic rating

8.0

Reviews

Critic Peter Bradshaw

rated

...an enthralling documentary portrait of former criminal and tournament chess player John Healy.

Read full review at The Guardian

Skip this

Frequently asked questions

What is Barbaric Genius about? Toggle content

John Healy's life was a turbulent journey from the streets to the spotlight. Once a thief and drunkard in London, he surprisingly emerged as a chess champion and literary sensation. This documentary delves into the enigmatic life of this unlikely genius, tracing his path from the gritty streets to the limelight, and uncovering the secrets behind his remarkable transformation.

Where can I stream Barbaric Genius? Toggle content

You can stream Barbaric Genius on: Netflix

What movies are similar to Barbaric Genius? Toggle content

Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Barbaric Genius include For the Love of Spock, The Last Shaman, American Winter, The Challenger Disaster: Lost Tapes, Sharks of Lost Island, A Place in the Cinema.