A medieval crusader plays chess with death in order to gain a respite in the midst of a world in the grip of the plague. The chess match is one of the most iconic scenes in film history. The film became an international success and is widely acclaimed as one of the best films ever made. It is also one of the most widely quoted films ever. One reason for this is the immediacy of the drama, the courage to unashamedly ask questions about the existence of God and the meaning of life.