I had the honor of watching this wonderful film at the AFI Film Festival
Plot
During the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, the American team of sports broadcasters had to adapt to the live broadcast of a terrorist group that had taken Israeli athletes hostage. 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 the control room’s work during competitions and, of course, the tragic events associated with the 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.
his 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 is the casting of Benjamin Walker as Peter Jennings – he doesn’t quite fit the role of the handsome and dashing host I remember (I probably would have given up on him and just relied on the tape of Jennings speaking from the Olympic Stadium villages). But this criticism does not prevent me from strongly recommending this excellent film – it is a must-see!
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