17/18
I had the honor of watching this wonderful film at the AFI Film Festival
Plot
During the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, the American sports broadcasting team was tasked with reporting on the hostage-taking of Israeli athletes. The action of the film takes place in the ABC apparatus at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich.
they are playing
It realistically depicts both the routine aspects of control room management during competitions and, of course, the tragic Black September attacks on Israeli athletes. ABC sports president Rune Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), junior producer Jeffrey Mason (John Magaro), vice president of Olympic coverage Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin) and German translator Marianne Gebhardt (Leoni Benes) are sitting in the control room.
their roles brilliantly
The film also shows how technology that was considered cutting-edge at the time seems amusingly primitive today (examples include giant VCRs, competition for satellite space, manual insertion of graphics, etc.). But the key aspect of any thriller is Tim Felbaum’s script and direction, which will keep you in suspense throughout the film.
Realism is further enhanced by the use of archival footage covering the tragedy by Jim McKay
My only minor criticism concerns the casting of Benjamin Walker as Peter Jennings – he doesn’t quite seem to fit the role of the handsome and dashing host I remember (I’d probably forego his role and just rely on the footage of Jennings speaks from the Olympic village). But this criticism does not prevent me from strongly recommending this excellent film – it is a must-see!