Apple TV+ is Apple’s video streaming service and offers numerous films and series produced by Apple or can be seen exclusively on the platform. The Apple TV+ offer is increasing and offers a few gems. We regularly give you viewing tips for this service, with this time Tetris.
The film tells the incredible story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to enthusiastic players around the world. Henk Rogers discovers Tetris in 1988 and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union.
The story of Tetris
The film tells the incredible story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to enthusiastic players around the world.
Henk Rogers was a businessman born in the Netherlands, but grew up in the United States. If he is introduced to Tetris at a fair in Las Vegas, he knows one thing for sure: he must and will bring the game to the international market. But that’s not that simple, the game is developed in the Soviet Union.
In 1988 he risks everything by traveling to Moscow, where he collaborates with inventor Alexey Pajitnov to get the game outside the Soviet Union. Henk is not the only one who is looking at the popular game, there were more hijackers on the coast. Everyone could see that the puzzle game could be a mega hit.
Businessman Robert Stein conquers the exclusive rights for Speelhallen and the British Robert Maxwell has the money to buy all rights worldwide. He even visits Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev as Tetris threatens to slip out of his fingers. Bizarre.
True story
It will not surprise you that the film Tetris is based on the true story. With a collapsing Soviet Union and corrupt government officials as opponents, the film has all the ingredients for an excellent thriller, with double spies, improbable heroes and a blood-curdling race to the finish.
Spy and capitalist games
It is probably no secret that Henk Rogers was constantly monitored. He was followed everywhere, recorded and photographed everywhere. Henk’s wife and children are also spied on by KGB agents.
Henk takes the legal battle about who has the rights for PCs and who the rights for game computers. The Russian officials then appear to play the capitalist game and are driving a lot of price.
Tetris
Tetris is still loved by young and old, but how this game has conquered the world, but little. This film gives you a good impression about the origin of the game and how difficult the job was to get it outside the Soviet Union. Leading character Taron Egerton shines in this pleasant and smooth film, with the necessary tensions humor. Yet there is an excess of competing parties and legal complications that are sometimes difficult to follow.
A beautiful friendship arises between Henk Rogers and Tetris programmer Alexey Pajitnov, but unfortunately the relationships between the different characters remain superficial. Anyone who is interested in the history of Tetris and how even the Soviet Union played a role in this is definitely worth watching.
Plus and minus points:
- Leading actor Taron Egerton is wearing the film excellent
- Exciting political thriller with double spies
- Relationships between characters superficial
- Excess of legal complications
Tetris Trailer Apple TV+
