

1979·Science Fiction·1h 58m
7.0
★








During a future ice age, dying humanity occupies its remaining time by playing a board game called Quintet. For one small group, this obsession is not enough. They play the game with living pieces, and only the winner survives.
Directed by Robert Altman
dystopia
ice age
post-apocalyptic future
board game
deadly game
cruel

Trailer

IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch



Cast

Paul Newman
Essex

Vittorio Gassman
Saint Christopher

Fernando Rey
Grigor

Bibi Andersson
Ambrosia

Brigitte Fossey
Vivia, Essex's Wife

Nina van Pallandt
Deuca

Craig Richard Nelson
Redstone

Thomas Hill
Francha

Monique Mercure
Redstone's Mate

Emil Glassbourg
Lost Soul (uncredited)
Crew

Robert Altman
Director

Robert Altman
Screenplay

Patricia Resnick
Screenplay

Jean Boffety
Director of Photography

Robert Altman
Producer

Robert Altman
Story

Lionel Chetwynd
Story

Patricia Resnick
Story

Leon Ericksen
Production Design

William Hoy
Assistant Editor
Popular Reviews
8 reviews
Pretentious
5.0★ · 09/03/25

Stale, Quintet wants desperately to say something, but delivers it in the dullest register possible. In its own frigid way, the film becomes strangely hypnotic, especially when Saint Christopher begins babbling in tongues about civilization. Maybe that’s Altman’s point: when civilization collapses into endless games, meaning itself dissolves into incoherence.
Stale, Quintet wants desperately to say something, but delivers it in the dullest register possible. In its own frigid way, the film becomes strangely hypnotic, especially when Saint Christopher begins babbling in tongues about civilization. Maybe that’s Altman’s point: when civilization collapses into endless games, meaning itself dissolves into incoherence.
1
Drew Chavez
7.0★ · 02/23/26

Quintet is a symbolically rich over-commitment to surrealistic reality, which unfortunately marks the end of Robert Altmans career defining 70s film run. Altman followed through with his vision to extreme extents; and for that alone, I must praise Quintet. Robert Altmans attempt at an ice-age sci-fi film has been dubbed a bad film, and even for me, I suppose it’s easy to understand why audiences and critics feel negatively about Quintet.
All around Quintet feels like an ugly post apocalyptic ice age, yet it’s charming in some indescribable, melancholic fashion. The location is covered in snow and ice, which is intensified by an intentionally fogged camera. However, Robert Altman approached his vision here with loyalty and dedication, giving grace to the overwhelming visual style he believed was proper. Whether you love Quintet, or hate it, his relentlessness is clear as day to any true Robert Altman fan. So, as the credits rolled, I found myself entranced by what Altman successfully presented as an endless ice age.
The unique, but talented cast of actors exists as an unmoving focal strongpoint of Quintet. Unfortunately, most of these crucial actors turned their back on Quintet after being critically defined as a shit film. Most of the primary cast leans toward the poor critical opinion, yet Altman never stopped defending Quintet.
**
**Acting Roles That Stood Out To Me:
- The Great, Paul Newman as Essex
- Vittorio Gassman as Saint Christopher
- Fernando Rey as Grigor
- Bibi Andersson as Ambrosia
Keeping his feet planted with regard to his opinions on Quintet continues to define Robert Altman’s personality as a director. Like I’ve said, he’s relentless in pursuit of true individual artistic expression. Altman is an auteur, and a major influence to contemporary independent film making. Quintet is highly underrated, and a staple piece to look at when defining the man’s lasting career. His timeless impact on Hollywood and me as a film lover is highly visible in what many consider one of Altman’s worst, Quintet.
68
All around Quintet feels like an ugly post apocalyptic ice age, yet it’s charming in some indescribable, melancholic fashion. The location is covered in snow and ice, which is intensified by an intentionally fogged camera. However, Robert Altman approached his vision here with loyalty and dedication, giving grace to the overwhelming visual style he believed was proper. Whether you love Quintet, or hate it, his relentlessness is clear as day to any true Robert Altman fan. So, as the credits rolled, I found myself entranced by what Altman successfully presented as an endless ice age.
The unique, but talented cast of actors exists as an unmoving focal strongpoint of Quintet. Unfortunately, most of these crucial actors turned their back on Quintet after being critically defined as a shit film. Most of the primary cast leans toward the poor critical opinion, yet Altman never stopped defending Quintet.
**
**Acting Roles That Stood Out To Me:
- The Great, Paul Newman as Essex
- Vittorio Gassman as Saint Christopher
- Fernando Rey as Grigor
- Bibi Andersson as Ambrosia
Keeping his feet planted with regard to his opinions on Quintet continues to define Robert Altman’s personality as a director. Like I’ve said, he’s relentless in pursuit of true individual artistic expression. Altman is an auteur, and a major influence to contemporary independent film making. Quintet is highly underrated, and a staple piece to look at when defining the man’s lasting career. His timeless impact on Hollywood and me as a film lover is highly visible in what many consider one of Altman’s worst, Quintet.
68
Quintet is a symbolically rich over-commitment to surrealistic reality, which unfortunately marks the end of Robert Altmans career defining 70s film run. Altman followed through with his vision to extreme extents; and for that alone, I must praise Quintet. Robert Altmans attempt at an ice-age sci-fi film has been dubbed a bad film, and even for me, I suppose it’s easy to understand why audiences and critics feel negatively about Quintet.
All around Quintet feels like an ugly post apocalyptic ice age, yet it’s charming in some indescribable, melancholic fashion. The location is covered in snow and ice, which is intensified by an intentionally fogged camera. However, Robert Altman approached his vision here with loyalty and dedication, giving grace to the overwhelming visual style he believed was proper. Whether you love Quintet, or hate it, his relentlessness is clear as day to any true Robert Altman fan. So, as the credits rolled, I found myself entranced by what Altman successfully presented as an endless ice age.
The unique, but talented cast of actors exists as an unmoving focal strongpoint of Quintet. Unfortunately, most of these crucial actors turned their back on Quintet after being critically defined as a shit film. Most of the primary cast leans toward the poor critical opinion, yet Altman never stopped defending Quintet.
**
**Acting Roles That Stood Out To Me:
- The Great, Paul Newman as Essex
- Vittorio Gassman as Saint Christopher
- Fernando Rey as Grigor
- Bibi Andersson as Ambrosia
Keeping his feet planted with regard to his opinions on Quintet continues to define Robert Altman’s personality as a director. Like I’ve said, he’s relentless in pursuit of true individual artistic expression. Altman is an auteur, and a major influence to contemporary independent film making. Quintet is highly underrated, and a staple piece to look at when defining the man’s lasting career. His timeless impact on Hollywood and me as a film lover is highly visible in what many consider one of Altman’s worst, Quintet.
68
All around Quintet feels like an ugly post apocalyptic ice age, yet it’s charming in some indescribable, melancholic fashion. The location is covered in snow and ice, which is intensified by an intentionally fogged camera. However, Robert Altman approached his vision here with loyalty and dedication, giving grace to the overwhelming visual style he believed was proper. Whether you love Quintet, or hate it, his relentlessness is clear as day to any true Robert Altman fan. So, as the credits rolled, I found myself entranced by what Altman successfully presented as an endless ice age.
The unique, but talented cast of actors exists as an unmoving focal strongpoint of Quintet. Unfortunately, most of these crucial actors turned their back on Quintet after being critically defined as a shit film. Most of the primary cast leans toward the poor critical opinion, yet Altman never stopped defending Quintet.
**
**Acting Roles That Stood Out To Me:
- The Great, Paul Newman as Essex
- Vittorio Gassman as Saint Christopher
- Fernando Rey as Grigor
- Bibi Andersson as Ambrosia
Keeping his feet planted with regard to his opinions on Quintet continues to define Robert Altman’s personality as a director. Like I’ve said, he’s relentless in pursuit of true individual artistic expression. Altman is an auteur, and a major influence to contemporary independent film making. Quintet is highly underrated, and a staple piece to look at when defining the man’s lasting career. His timeless impact on Hollywood and me as a film lover is highly visible in what many consider one of Altman’s worst, Quintet.
68
Lucas Colorado
4.0★ · 05/02/25

I nearly don't watch this movie because I thought the frosted iris efect was an error on the version I was watching. Glad I decided to watched descpite of that effect, which it does evoke a cold atmosphere.
I nearly don't watch this movie because I thought the frosted iris efect was an error on the version I was watching. Glad I decided to watched descpite of that effect, which it does evoke a cold atmosphere.
Valentino Feltrin
6.0★ · 09/08/23

Thriller post-apocalittico spesso letargico, ma tenuto assieme da buone idee e da un po' di sano e sconfortante cinismo
Thriller post-apocalittico spesso letargico, ma tenuto assieme da buone idee e da un po' di sano e sconfortante cinismo
Vibeke Hustoeft
3.2★ · 03/28/22

a game to the death where several people are killed and somehow it's still the most boring movie ever made...
also the soundtrack was the goddamn worst and that out of focus frame around every single scene was just ugly
also the soundtrack was the goddamn worst and that out of focus frame around every single scene was just ugly
a game to the death where several people are killed and somehow it's still the most boring movie ever made...
also the soundtrack was the goddamn worst and that out of focus frame around every single scene was just ugly
also the soundtrack was the goddamn worst and that out of focus frame around every single scene was just ugly