Munich (2005)

February 6, 2023 11:54 AM

After the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre, the Israeli government secretly assigns Avner Kaufman (Eric Bana) to carry out a series of strategic retaliations. With the help of a driver (Daniel Craig), a forger (Hanns Zischler), a bomb-maker (Mathieu Kassovitz) and a former soldier (Ciarán Hinds), Avner conducts a worldwide operation, targeting 11 individuals. As the assassinations pile up, Avner begins to doubt the morality of his actions.

Also starring Mathieu Amalric, Geoffrey Rush, Ayelet Zurer, Michael Lonsdale, Lynn Cohen, Gila Almagor.

Directed by Steven Spielberg. Screenplay by Tony Kushner, Eric Roth. Based on the 1984 nonfiction book Vengeance by George Jonas. Produced by Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Barry Mendel, Colin Wilson. Cinematography by Janusz Kamiński. Edited by Michael Kahn. Music by John Williams.

78% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes.

Available for digital rental. JustWatch listing.

posted by DirtyOldTown (5 comments total)

I've never actually seen this, but I noticed that several of the review says it does not quite take the obvious sides it would seem to take, and is in fact, serious and even-handed. I am curious if folks here who have seen it feel the same.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:24 PM on February 6, 2023

I have seen Munich just once, years ago. I would say that the movie is even-handed in the sense that neither side is particularly lionized. The story is more the main character's emotional journey along the way rather than a straight depiction of events. So there are feelings and doubts and such about events which puts a damper on there being any actual good guys. Good movie, BTW. Sky high production values.
posted by Stuka at 12:55 PM on February 6, 2023 [4 favorites]

This movie has a future James Bond, a future James Bond villain and a past James Bond villain!
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 1:23 PM on February 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

From my recollection, the movie starts you off with the perspective similar to the individuals who undertake the Israeli revenge, that everything is justified, and then it proceeds to unravel the fuck out of that premise.
posted by corb at 2:56 PM on February 6, 2023 [5 favorites]

It does pretty much what Corb describes. A good movie, but not one that makes you feel good.
posted by Ashenmote at 6:41 AM on February 7, 2023