One Day in September
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Movie Reviews of One Day in September
Movie Review: Terror of an Olympic Proportion
Summary: 5 Stars
I was in college from 1970-74 and I missed out on a lot of news during those years primarily because I rarely ever watched TV then. (There were far too many other things to do). I saw "Apollo 13" and wondered, Wow! When did that happen? Of course, when I realized it was during that time frame, I understood just how cut off I was. The Munich Olympics did not entirely escape my attention but I wasn't exactly an expert on the subject either. That is why I enjoyed the documentary "One Day in September" recently. I knew the basics but I hadn't realized that the whole story had so much more to it.
In "One Day in September", we are giving a step by step account of exactly what DID happen in Munich. In fact, after a good background intro, the film shows us the exact time of each incident or event as they ocurred. Much of the action (and inaction) is documented with newsreel footage of the times. There are a number of eyewitness interviews many of which appeared to have been conducted later for this film. The narration is limited and seems to have been used only to bridge sequences and/or inform us of background activities not otherwise documented by film or interview. Most of the information I saw I either never knew or had long forgotten. I am glad that I saw this film because I won't forget this again.
The film, I believe, actually opens with an on-camera interview with one of the perpetrators which had the eerie effect of letting us know that there was some element of "success" for the terrorists. The interview with this individual is interspliced throughout the movie and is quite helpful (although it may be bothersome to some that he survived the terrorist action). There are a number of interviews with German officials who seemed to have a knack for phrasing things in just the wrong way. Indeed, I recalled that the German government came off looking bad but I'd forgotten or didn't know just how bad. Things just seemed to get worse and worse largely due to the ineptitude of the German authorities.
Documentaries are often seen and then forgotten. Maybe there's a documentary channel somewhere I haven't heard about but I don't think so. "One Day in September" has reappeared recently on TV recently and I'm glad it has.
Movie Review: New release? Not quite. Re-release/re-issue much-recommended
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the original DVD release of "One Day in September," director Kevin MacDonald's 1999 Oscar-winner (for Best Documentary Feature; it overtook in the race Wim Wenders's beloved "Buena Vista Social Club") when it first became available. It now appears that the Dec. 20, 2005 DVD release is a re-release (or should I say re-issue?); but it appears to be at a cheaper price ($15-$20 range vs. the older one in the low- to mid-$20s). Based on my research, this DVD will have more features, including Text/Photo Galleries and Bonus Trailers (the original was a bare-bones basic). The DVD looks like a worthy buy, and I intend to get it for a relative of mine who has yet to add it to his/her library. (Side note: Even though this hasn't been released yet, please bear in mind the "5" rating is based on my appreciation for the film -- and enthusiasm for the content of this new DVD release. Amazon reviews force "written reviews" to offer a rating. I would've prefered using a "-" for the time being. Nevertheless, this is a recommended buy no matter the star-rating.)
"One Day in September" is a documentary account of the 1972 Munich Olympics game -- in West Germany -- that was the first in its country since Adolf Hitler was in power. This Olympics was much-anticipated because Germany wanted to make amends for its past; however, it became overshadowed by the hostage crises of Tuesday, Sept. 5 involving [11] Israel athletes, housed in the same building, who were held by Palestinians at gunpoint. (Those who want to read up on what -- and how it all -- transpired can find plenty of info on Web sites related to this topic. I recommend doing the research.)
Due to the price, the amazing film itself (which has been painstakingly researched, and is gutsily directed by MacDonald who doesn't hold back on the gritty reality of how brutal and tragic this hostage situation had materialized), I recommend "One Day in September." Also, when considering that Steven Spielberg is (practically simultaneously) releasing in theaters his "Munich," it further helps to give one a full sense in understanding this specific case in terrorism.
Movie Review: Watch, learn and remember.
Summary: 5 Stars
I recently saw this film on Bravo, and after viewing it immediately went online to Amazon to see if it was availble on DVD; it was, and I ordered it. I was only 10 years old when these events took place, and had only a vague recollection that something "bad" happened. To see the complete and total ineffectiveness and incompetence exhibited by the Germans in dealing with this crisis would be almost laughable if it hadn't produced such catastrophic and appalling results. I realize that at the time we in the west were relatively "newcomers" to terrorism and terrorist activities, but we were hardly babes in the woods. The idea that the Germans would refuse Israeli assistance when they had absolutely no idea of how to deal with this type of situation strikes one as though it must have been driven by pure ego. This film demonstrates in an unapologetic and unabashed way in microcosm what we are confronted with in the world today; emboldened Islamo-fascists who will demand 100% complete submission, surrender and conversion or your death. There was no negotiating with these extremists back in 1972 and if anything the situation has deteriorated. If there was a lesson that was learned from this tragedy it is that Germany formed GSG9, (their specialized anti-terrorist squad), as did many other western countries in the aftermath of this murderous catastrophe. That is small comfort I suspect, though, to the families and loved ones who paid the ultimate price to teach us this lesson. Golda Meir is quoted as having said "until they love their children, more than they hate us, we will not have peace". Today, we all can utter this quote with equal applicability.
By the way, before anyone might be tempted allege that I am Jewish and merely spouting rhetoric I am a Catholic-American of French, Lithuanian, Czech descent.
One last question that I have maybe someone can help me with. When I watched this film I began to wonder if the nation of Israel had participated in any olympic games since the summer of 1972, and I have not been able to find out the answer. Thanks.
Movie Review: A Brilliant Expose on Islam and Anti-Semitism
Summary: 5 Stars
OPEN YOUR EYES!!! Yes, it was a movie title. This documentary will do more than a thousand blind men can tell you about what racism, race-hatred, genocide, cold-blooded murder, and geopolotics are about. It will be difficult watching for early teen-agers, but then again, with what we see on cable TV today, I could be wrong even about that.
I can see many uses for this film, but especially for young men involved in--yes, really--sports. Gang-bangers, Boy Scouts, you name it. It is about male competition and hormones gone awry, which happens so frequently these days and throughout history one would think there would need to be no more books, no more videos, nothing more to say about it. However, as this documentary shows, there is more to say--even from Hollywood.
I have only one quarrel with the documentary. I believe (and from other sources I believe this to be factual) that the Israelis did NOT simply sit in the helicopters--they fought back when the opportunity presented itself. Many think today (2006) that Israel has lost its will to fight. I hope this is not true, but I do not believe it was true in 1972--any Israeli would have sought opportunity to fight for himself, his family, for his country and people. Self-defense is not what this film is about, however, it is about naked racism and cold-blooded violence. It makes "Reservoir Dogs" look like a training film.
Movie Review: ESSENTIAL FOR ANY STUDY OF INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM
Summary: 5 Stars
This documentary is a brilliant study of the 1972 murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics. It follows the entire incident from the beginning of the Games to the death/escape of the Palestinian terrorists. It also contains some coverage of the post-Olympic Mossad's revenge killings of some of the terrorists, though not in much detail.
What makes the film indispensible is the interview with the lone survivor of the Palestinian terrorist group that committed the murders (he has been in hiding ever since and the Mossad has not been able to track him down). It is the only documentary in existence that contains the direct perspective of any member of the terrorist group.
It won the 1999 "Best Documentary" Academy Award and is narrated by Michael Douglas. Contains extensive footage from ABC's TV coverage of the event.