Movies

September 5: The Shocking Live Broadcast of a Terror Attack That Changed History

BBG News

September 5 (15, 95 mins)

Verdict: Taut thriller

In response to Japan’s surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt referred to that day as an “unforgettable” or “memorable” day in history.

Sadly, there are now several more instances like that recorded, such as the one portrayed in a gripping, documentary-style film entitled “September 5.

That was the Tuesday during the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich when 11 members of the Israeli team ended up dead, after being taken hostage by Palestinian ‘Black September’ terrorists who threatened to kill one every hour unless their demands (of a wholesale release of prisoners from Israeli prisons) were met.

As a devoted follower of history, I’ve come across this tale before, presented in both documentary form, such as Kevin Macdonald’s Oscar-winning masterpiece, One Day In September from 1999, and in dramatic interpretation, like Steven Spielberg’s Munich from 2005. Regrettably, Munich, although a film, fell short of expectations, with its focus on the Israeli mission to avenge the massacre, rather than delving deeper into the events that transpired over subsequent months and years.

This time, director and co-writer Tim Fehlbaum looks at the shocking events of that day 53 years ago entirely from the perspective of the US television network ABC, whose team was in West Germany to deliver a purely sporting narrative yet found itself at the heart of the first terrorist outrage to be broadcast live across the world. ABC’s transmission was apparently seen by more people than, three years earlier, had watched Neil Armstrong walk on the moon.

Using a shaky handheld camera and gritty visuals along with genuine archival footage, Fehlbaum skillfully recreates not only the frenzy of the hostage situation but also underscores the technological simplicity of that time period when compared to our current advancements.

In a cluttered studio where the cooling system is out, causing discomfort, and making everyone drip with perspiration, history is meticulously documented, with on-screen visuals being manually constructed.

I can’t contain my excitement! The casting is nothing short of brilliant. John Magaro perfectly embodies the role of Geoffrey Mason, a producer who’s both nervy and resourceful – simply remarkable! And Peter Sarsgaard, he just oozes class as Roone Arledge, the ABC Sports supremo who remains resolute in his mission to prevent the broadcast from being hijacked by the network’s News division. Simply put, they’re both spot-on!

In this portrayal, Ben Chaplin assumes the role of Marvin Bader, the head of operations at ABC, while Leonie Benesch, a talented actress from Germany, takes on a fictitious yet valuable character – a production assistant who is also called upon to serve as an interpreter.

Skillfully manipulating the scene, Fehlbaum creates an illusion that the offstage crew appears to be conversing with the on-screen hosts, Jim McKay and Peter Jennings.

Despite the predictable outcome of the plot, this gripping 95-minute film maintains a pulse-pounding tension from start to finish, earning a well-deserved nomination for Best Original Screenplay at the Oscars.

There’s a startling moment when the ABC crew realise that the terrorists, too, are watching their live pictures of German police moving in on the apartment in the Olympic Village where the athletes are being held. And it’s all so authentic that we later feel their exhilaration when word arrives that the hostages, after being transported to a nearby airfield, have all been saved. Alas, it is not so.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to draw your attention to the striking resemblances between our current times and the narrative presented in “September 5.” The filmmakers, Fehlbaum and Binder, cleverly avoid forcing these parallels upon us, allowing the story to speak for itself.

At the film’s onset, before the ominous sound of distant gunfire alters everything, we hear Arledge urging that the haunting memory of the Holocaust should be addressed in an interview with the multiple gold-medalist Jewish swimmer, Mark Spitz. This encourages us to follow suit and reflect not on what’s to come but on what has passed.

“September 5” is a masterfully crafted and succinct tale that invites us to delve into the past, rather than speculating about the future.

 

Bring Them Down (15, 105mins)

Verdict: Modern-day Irish ‘Western’ 

Another gripping thriller, Bring Them Down, stands apart from September 5 with its unique setting. Nestled in the picturesque west of Ireland, a longstanding dispute between two neighboring sheep farmers escalates, taking a sinister turn when one begins to disfigure the other’s livestock.

To add more intensity to the situation, one farmer is a newcomer from the northern region, wed to the former lover of the other one, who is a native speaker of the Gaelic language.

The intense animosity between them escalates dramatically towards a highly charged climax, yet this work marks a notably impressive debut for director Christopher Andrews. It can be described as an Irish-inflected Western, made even more captivating by a top-notch cast including Christopher Abbott, Colm Meaney, and Barry Keoghan. Interestingly, Keoghan’s character in this film bears a striking resemblance to the remarkable role he played in The Banshees of Inisherin (2022).

 

Becoming Led Zeppelin (12A, 121mins)

Verdict: Stairway to fan heaven 

Regarding banshees and music preferences, not everyone is fond of Led Zeppelin’s tunes, but if you are, the documentary “Becoming Led Zeppelin” by Bernard MacMahon is a must-watch. In depth, extensively, and with remarkable detail, it delves into the careers of each original band member, sharing captivating tales throughout the journey. Interestingly, did you know that during his days as an unassuming session musician, guitarist extraordinaire Jimmy Page contributed to Shirley Bassey’s recording of a specific James Bond theme song? Hint: This piece of trivia would be perfect for pub quizzes!

All films are in cinemas now.

 

ALSO SHOWING…

Love Hurts (15, 83mins)

In his mature years of 53, the once-child actor Ke Huy Quan, famously known for his Oscar-winning comeback (Everything Everywhere All At Once), steps into his first significant leading role in Love Hurts. Regrettably, this film doesn’t live up to expectations.

On Valentine’s Day, the tranquil life of Quan, a real estate agent, is disrupted when his former accomplice in crime, Ariana DeBose, who he thought was deceased, resurfaces. In his past, Quan was a hitman.

In my perspective, it’s a somewhat misguided fusion of romantic elements, generic life advice (“hiding isn’t living!”), lackluster humor, subpar martial arts sequences, and graphic violence that jars the senses. However, the only thing that truly resonates is the heartwarming reunion between Quan and his companion, Sean Astin, reminiscent of the charm from The Goonies.

 

Dog Man (U, 89mins)

As a die-hard fan, let me tell you, knowing that Dog Man hails from the same creative minds behind Captain Underpants, it’s like diving headfirst into a whirlpool of outrageous cartoon hilarity!

In a generously produced, large-scale film version of Dav Pilkey’s popular comic books, this offshoot follows our unique half human/half dog police officer character as he embarks on a somewhat understated quest to apprehend the wickedest feline in existence (voiced by Pete Davidson). Simultaneously, he forms a heartwarming bond with an adorable kitten (Lucas Hopkins Calderon).

Delightfully whimsical and sincere, boasting a unique, crayon-inspired animation style, this fast-paced comedy serves up jokes for grownups to savor – though its brain-tickling chaos is primarily tailored for young audiences who are sure to adore it.

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2025-02-07 05:12

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