Munich - 31st May 2011

So this weeks film takes us on a turgid, moralistic journey through the terrorism fuelled months following the Olympic games attack of 1972 in;

Munich

Firstly, this is a long film (157 minutes). It is also not an easy film to watch, due to the subject matter and the complexities of the political relationships. However, it is an important film, as it shows with passion and gravitas, the story surrounding the terrorist attack on the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. And the bloody aftermath.

There is little point in filling in the details of the situation that the film deals with, these are known facts. If you don't know them, look them up prior to watching, it will make for a more fulfilling film.

To summarise the plot; a terrorist faction calling themselves Black September, attack and take hostage some of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Olympic games. The film tackles the aftermath, showing the journey taken by the five men chosen to eliminate the ones responsible for that fateful day.

What follows is a bloody battle between the assassins and the targets that they are instructed to kill. However, it is never that easy and there are others out to get the assassins.

Eric Bana plays the lead character Avner and a great lead actor he is too. Other notable appearances are Daniel Craig (pre Bond) and Geoffrey Rush, now more renowned for The Kings Speech.

It may take more than one viewing to gain the complete impact of this fictional film (based on real events). It is deep, disturbing, filled with hate and anguish and despair. It is difficult to take sides, there are no real good guys and bad guys in this, how can you decide based on the facts? Do we condone the violence? Do we accept the retribution?

As I say, it's a moralistic maze, that individual viewers will find different routes from. It is a hard film, a true film, a difficult film, you decide if it's a good film.