Based on a Novel by the author of "The Ninth Gate" comes a chilling murder mysterystarring Kate Beckinsale! While restoring an old painting showing a woman and twomen playing chess young beautiful art expert Julia (Beckins... more »ale) discovers the text"who killed the knight" underneath the paint. The owner of the painting tells her thatone of his forefathers was killed the painting might identify the murderer. WhenJulia's friend is killed she understands that there is more to it. She consults Domeneca chess genius who reconstructs the game from the painting. With any piece he takessomebody dies. The game becomes reality and her next move.. . could be her last!System Requirements: Running Time 112 MinFormat: DVD MOVIE Genre: MYSTERY/SUSPENSE Rating: NR UPC: 012236151074 Manufacturer No: 15107« less
Mark T. (THEBLUEMAX) from ATOKA, TN Reviewed on 3/9/2011...
First of all, I like Kate Beckinsale. Therefore I would most likely enjoy most any movie of hers...NOTTTTTT!!! I enjoy good movies no matter who the stars are. This one, even though it was a little "B" movie'ish. It was GOOD! The who done-it suspenseful atmosphere kept me involved and the suttle use of nudity here and there were useful for livening things up a bit. Well worth watching for mystery fans and a "MUST SEE" for Kate Beckinsale Fans!!!
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
Kathleen O. (Kathleen) from WALDPORT, OR Reviewed on 10/4/2010...
I thought this would be a cute movie, a mystery but it is really poorly done. There is a lot of unnecessary nudeness. It is not classy or necessary to the story. It in fact cheapens the story, the movie. I was disappointed and even became bored. A real let down. If you like Kate Beckinsale a great movie is Cold Comfort Farm... Loved it.
2 of 3 member(s) found this review helpful.
Movie Reviews
A Painless Art History Course - and mystery
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 07/03/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"UNCOVERED is a ten year old film, popular in its co-producing countries of the UK and Spain, and is finally available here for those who want to see 'early Kate Bekinsale'. The story weaves around an art restorer (Bekinsale) who finds bizarre clues in the underpainting of an old Flemish master painting that is being prepared for sale by a once rich/now destitute family. The art restorer has been raised by a fey gentleman who turns out to be part the current family requesting the restoration. As she carefully uncovers the surface of the painting and has it xrayed, she finds clues to a mystery of a murder, a murder that slowly is recreated around her. This is a good little mystery whose solution is tightly pigmented in a rather beautiful painting and a game of chess, which is the centerpiece of the painting. The cast, including Kate Bekinsale, is good if a bit campy: John Wood, Sinead Cusack, Paudge Behan, Art Malik, James Villiers, Michael Gough. But the real star of the film is the beauty of Barcelona, Spain - the setting for the story. Gaudi is everywhere! The lighting is gorgeous and the cinematography excellent. There are things with which one can quibble, not the least the techniques used by the art restoration advisors, but the one major fault with this film is the sound track. The music is abominable and the ambient sound is so loud that it sounds like a home movie instead of a professional production: you have to strain to hear the dialogue over the street sounds outside the rooms. Still in all, this is an entertaining movie, worth a watch."
Kate Beckinsale - uncovered!
D. Roberts | Battle Creek, Michigan United States | 10/05/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This an entertaining although significantly contrived story that has a certain winning charm to it. The primary selling point is Kate Beckinsale, and this movie is a must for all Kate fans out there (you know who you are!).
The plot centers around a murder mystery that originates from a (previously hidden) inscription on a painting that is hundreds of years old. There is one scene that stands out above all others, where Kate is gazing at the painting. NOT ONLY does she look fantastic topless, but there is also a nice bit of symbolism in how the removal of her clothes = the uncovering of the inscription & offers a "revealation" of sorts.
This deciphering of a mystery that is the center of the film, and that scene is the "heart" of the movie. While some may feel it was an excuse for gratuitous nudity, I really think it had some symbolic relevance. But, that's just me.
When you boil it down, this film will attract people who are fans of one or more of the following three things: Kate Beckinsale, chess and murder mysteries. People who are into art & art history might perchance be attracted to this film as well. Those who enjoy it may also want to check out KNIGHT MOVES starring Christopher Lambert."
A decent mystery and a star "uncovered"
tepp | USA | 02/23/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"So far as I can tell, this little-known British/Spanish production had never been shown or otherwise made available in the United States prior to the release of this DVD. I first saw it on an imported videotape with Portugese subtitles. More than likely, it is being released in the U.S. now to capitalize on Kate Beckinsale's increasingly high profile. Its most noteworthy feature is the appearance of its comely star nude in no less than three scenes, her only such exposure to date. Viewers whose main interest is seeing Ms. Beckinsale "uncovered" will not be disappointed. However, the movie itself is not so bad either. Although a little rough by Hollywood standards, it offers a decent murder mystery with an interesting twist. Beckinsale plays Julia, a rising star in the world of art restoration. An aristocratic family commissions her to work on a Renaissance painting that has been in their possession for over 500 years. It depicts two men playing chess while a woman watches in the background. Julia quickly discovers that the painting has been altered and contains clues to the murder of one of the chess players. As soon as Julia grows curious about this 500 year-old crime, someone begins killing people close to her. She can only conclude that solving the ancient mystery will provide the key to her present-day horrors.While Julia continues to coax hidden details from the painting, she enlists the aid of a truly unique character. She hires Domenec (Paudge Behan), a sort of "chess bum," to work out the details of the game in the painting -- the moves that brought the pieces to where they are and the likely outcome of the game. The bohemian Domenick makes his living hustling high-stakes chess games (huh?). His surfer-with-a-brain appearance and lifestyle provide both a foil and an eventual romantic allure for the uptight Julia. From there, it becomes a race between this unlikely duo and the killer. They must solve the mystery before more people, including Julia herself, are murdered."
An underappreciated gem
Jack Flack | San Francisco | 05/01/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A surprisingly good mystery with strong performances by the entire cast. This features Kate B. before the fake boobs and the fake attitude and she is delightful-possibly her best performance as an actress. Some have complained that the murder mystery is a bit contrived and of course it is--almost all murder mysteries are a bit contrived, but the intertwining of the old mystery with the new mystery is very well done. It's also a joy to see a movie which recognizes the existence of the game of chess.
One sour note is the first few minutes of the sound track which is an unbelievably wretched piece of music. Feel free to turn the sound off until there is dialogue. If you choose not to, don't say I didn't warn you."
A fun, light whimsical jaunt
Ben T. | San Jose, CA | 09/12/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I can't believe I bought this movie as an experiment and it turned out to be so good! This is Kate Beckinsale back in her early twenties. She's an art restorer who stumbles across a mystery in the past that rides in to her future.
There is much whimsy in this story. The characters almost seem like cartoons at first, but you soon find that this is their charm. The mystery is interesting and keeps you guessing. I thought I had the ending figured out, but I was happily wrong.
The other major component of the storyline is the majesty of Barcelona. Barcelona's beauty is gallant and yet subtle. The wonderful architecture will wow you, the simple but stylish city streets and the simple but romantic people give this film a rich texture that will no doubt make you want to make Spain your next vacation spot.
If this same film had been set in New York, it would have fallen dull. This could easily have fallen in to clique'. But instead it had a different adventure to give. The music is fun and transforms some of the more serious moments in to a blended feel of satisfaction. 'What you're doing is serious, but don't forget you're having fun.' Is the feeling I got from the score.
I really enjoyed this film. It is not a deep mystery nor a passionate love affair and the dialog isn't Shakespeare, but that being said, you can sit and relax with this story. Most of the people are likable and you'll feel like you're among friends. Give it a try. It's one of those forgotten art gems that we're privileged to now see many years later on DVD.
It's also neet to see how Kate had progressed in her career. I just wish she would stop smoking."