Customer Reviews

One Day in September

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Even though you know the outcome--11 Israeli Olympians and coaches killed by terrorists--this Academy Award-winning documentary will keep you on the edge of your seat. "One Day in September" depicts the tragic hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Among those interviewed is the one surviving terrorist, who describes his training and how thrilled he felt to be doing something for Palestine.

The recollections of Ankie Spritzer, widow of the Israeli fencing coach, particularly make the viewer experience the horror of having a loved one held captive. Mrs. Spritzer describes how she wondered whether her husband was alive or dead when the news reported than an unnamed hostage had been murdered, and later, her elation at reports that the remaining hostages were safe at the airport, and finally, how she received the horrible news that the rescue attempt had gone terribly wrong. Seeing the daughters who grew up never knowing their fathers brings home the continuing sadness of this event.

Kevin Macdonald's documentary also includes an interview with the head of the Massad who was denied permission to send in an Israeli rescue team and was assured that the Germans could manage the situation. The Massad chief bitterly recalls the numerous unthinkable errors that the Germans made: Extremely light security to avoid the impression of being heavy handed. Failing to seal off the Olympic Village from news crews, which resulted in tipping off the terrorists when an early rescue attempt was broadcast on live TV. Underestimating the number of terrorists and placing insufficient sharpshooters at the airport when the terrorists were allowed to leave with the hostages. Lack of radio communication, rescuers without bulletproof vests and helmets, failure to order the armored cars that were planned to transport the hostages to safety once the "commando" team went into action,.... The "commando" team actually was made up of police officers who volunteered and stated that they were familiar with using firearms--not a specially trained unit.

Most interviewed concluded that the German and Olympic officials were more interseted in resuming the Olympic Games than in rescuing the hostages. In fact, the Olympic officials initially didn't hault the games, despite the early deaths of two hostages.

The three terrorists who survived the assault at the airport never stood trial. They were released in exchange for a handful hijacked airline passengers and crew. "One Day" reveals that this hijacking and terrorist exchange was a set-up.

I watched this documentary in conjunction with "Revenge!"--a History Channel documentary on how the Massad later tracked down and killed all but one of the terrorists believed responsible for the Munich Massacre. "Revenge!" provides more details about the PLO-Black September ties, as well as a Massad assassination against a man who was wrongly believed to have masterminded the Olympic hostage incident.

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.

Two recent events made me watch this...the recent anniversary (Sept. 5, 1972) and much much more, the terror in America (Sept. 11, 2001). While the events are not related terrorism is terrorism. I didn't know a ton about this horrific event, but after viewing the film, I was shaken.

The film makers make an engrossing film. Peter Jennings is featured (shades of 9/11/01). It is like, as another reviewer wrote, like a true thriller. I was astounded by the cruelty of the IOC (well, they are criminals in recent years, but bribes and ignoring death are different crimes). The completely pathetic response of the Germans (Willy Brandt has blood on his hands here)--who, according to one particularly chilling interviewee abandoned the airplane("it was a suicide mission") and may have lead to the Israelis doom. The interview with the lone Palestinian survivor is illuminating and frightening. As mistakes by Germans, Arabs, etc piled up, I wanted to freeze the film and somehow change history. In the end, blame belongs most of all to terrorists. But more than blame, the 11 Israelis were heroes and deserve to be remembered in history.

Oh and the next time some idiot complains about the recent suspensions of football or baseball, tell them to rent to this. They won't complain again.

A worthy purchase and one that is tragically, even more relevant today than ever.

This film did an excellent job of retelling a significant event that has been downplayed or simply forgotten in the hopes that "progress", coexistence and my personal favorite, "peace" can be attained in the Middle East. This film brought back my first memories as a child watching the Olympics and not understanding why this wonderful event that brings the world together had been brought to a fatal halt in the name of world politics. Unfortunately, as we experienced with the United States boycott of the 1980 Moscow Olympics and the Soviet/Communist Block boycott of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the Munich Massacre would not be the last time that we would see the Olympic games utilized as a political soapbox. Macdonald did an excellent job of bringing in footage and interviews that we were not privvy to in the pre-cable days of the 1970's. The family interviews showed tragic and destructive memories that continue to pain the victims nearly 30 years later. The sadly unprepared and unqualified German security was unconscionable. Opposition against the Israel had been occuring ever since it was restored in 1948. War was declared against Israel in 1948 by neighboring Arab nations, the Sinai Campain/Suez Canal blockage of the 1950's, and the Six Day War in 1967 just to name a few events that marked the need for increased security for the Israeli team. Not to mention that just the gesture of increased security by the German government would have been a huge public relations boost to rid themselves of their recent reputation ... But they chose not to do so. I had the priviledge of working security at the 1984 Olympics and it was basically a very low key job (there was a large security force plus local police and paramilitary) except when the Israeli team arrived with a surrounding motorcade and chase helicopters from above. Things got very tense and serious. I began to realize the magnitude of the events that occured in Munich. One glaring ommission of the film in its portrayal of the Black September Palestinians is the fact that there is not one mention of Arafat or the PLO throughout the film. It has been well established that Black September and the PLO were one in the same. These acts were not merely done by a fringe group. Arafat has admitted this with his disclaimer that the PLO has since grown more "moderate". The film does not mention this, for fear of perhaps being labeled Pro-Israeli. However, this was a fact that should not have been overlooked. The film portrays the events as an Israeli/Palestinian issue but as we see with the "heroes funeral" the slain terrorists receive in Libya and their earlier request at the airport to be taken to any Arab nation with the hostages, the conflict is, and always has been, an Arab/Israeli conflict and not merely an Israeli/Palestinian conflict. I judge any film by how much I think about it afterward. This film invoked much thought and I've never been prompted to write a review like this with any film I've seen before. It was a good film about a turbulent time that should not be forgotten.

I remember seeing some of this footage live when I was 12 yrs old watching the Olympics. The games of Mark Spitz and Olga Korbut and terror on Live TV. But this movie shows much more than what we saw on TV back then. It's also somewhat balanced - showing the tragedy of the Israeli athletes, but also giving a glimpse of the plight of the Palestinians. The lone surviving terrorist grew up in a Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon where he built up his hatred, after his family was pushed out of their homeland. Mainly, I came away with feeling this would be a good training film for SWAT teams and hostage negotiating teams on what NOT to do. My guess is that because this was the first incident of it's kind, the German police were just completely inexperienced and clueless. It was most interesting to hear how the terrorists prepared for this. They were mostly young, trained in Libya, not told of their mission until the day before. Eerily similar to current terrorist acts. There is also a mixed message about negotiating with terrorists. Golda Meier made it clear: if we give in here, every Israeli from now on will be a target. But later the Germans did give in by letting the 3 surviving terrorists go as insurance against future attacks in Germany. Lessons in history.

ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER is an intriguing documentary covering the brutal killings of eleven Israeli athletes by a radical Palestinian terrorism group at the 1972 Olympic Games held in Munich, Germany. First-rate film archives of the unfolding drama are shown throughout this film and are interspersed with present-day interviews of numerous individuals directly involved, including the sole remaining terrorist who remains in hiding to this day in fear of Israeli assassination squads. Although the ending is not a secret I found this film to be gripping and suspenseful.

One of the most compelling aspects of this film pertains to how Germany failed repeatedly to effectively protect the athletes and to successfully rescue the hostages. Participating in the 1972 Olympic Games was a momentous symbolic measure for Israel as German-Jewish relations remained sore nearly three decades after the collapse of Nazi Germany. Security surrounding the Olympic Village was intentionally relaxed and the guards did not carry guns. This apparent loophole enabled the terrorists to infiltrate the Israeli housing complex and carry out their treats to the vicious end.

Watching this documentary is very timely considering present-day political situations in the Middle East and the upcoming summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. It is my dear hope that the Greeks will learn from the mistakes of the Germans and protect all the athletes and spectators from harm. The camaraderie and spirit of the Olympics should not be overshadowed by acts of terrorism. It's sobering to realize that 30 years later the Palestinian-Israeli conflict remains in the headlines and claims countless of lives. Highly recommended.

This is the story Steven Spielberg wouldn't be able to tell as it's based in truth. The Munich Massacre is described via the reflections of those who survived and remember the fallen. Here, technically, the film is flawless and Michael Douglas is a strong narrator. One of the wives of a slaughtered fencer ironically noted, "This was what he always dreamed of," with the world coming together around the idea of sport, peace, and understanding. What he got was evil and West German government incompetence, but the world will always remember these games due to the way in which evil overtook them. Important political lessons are available from the event such as the futility of negotiating with terrorists and the foolishness of thinking that the show can go on while people are exterminated. How much of this event was the fault of the Germanys is not often considered, but the terrorists were given a tour of the village by the East Germans beforehand, and the Federal Republic did not have any armed police at the site or an assault squad available. If you ask me, they should have let the Israelis bring their own team in to take care of the situation.

I was a year old when this happened. Whats not important is the tacky juxtaposition of rock music and some of the events (Deep Purple's "Child In Time" playing to the flashes of the dead Israeli athletes' bodies killed the climax for me). What is extremely important is that this film exposes Europe's real reason for its reluctance in the war on terrorism: fear of retribution. When I shut this movie off, the news was on...Daniel Pearl's picture in manacles and at gunpoint was on the screen. We are still fighting the same villains 30 years later. Eduacational, highly necessary contextual information.

This film is great; in that it takes the viewer straight through the horrors of the 1972 Munich Olympics and the kidnapping, negotiations and, ultimately, the murders of 11 Jewish athletes by the terrorist group, "Black September". This group, under the orders of Yasser Arafat, the guerrilla leader turned Nobel Peace Prize winner who forced his people's plight into the world spotlight, who died Thursday at age 75 - still reviled by many as a terrorist, has been all but exterminated by Israel military forces. The film is a shoker. "TWO THUMBS UP!"

This was an amazing documentary. Just to imagine what these hostages went through is so sad and frustrating. We live in a time where something like this can happen again. This movie draws you in from the very beginning. You have a complete understanding of what happened that horrific day. I saw "Munich." After that, I had to get the documentary and see for myself the actual events that made the world glued to their television sets. I was only 4 when it happend and I still remember watching it on the televisiion. This brilliant documantry made you understand what it was like to watch something tragic like this unfold in front of your eyes. The worst thing is that nobody could do anything. You just had to sit and watch and hope everything is going to turn out okay.