Munich (2005)

Featured Audience Ratings

• Jameson W

  
  An excellent movie! A little slow, but once the story and background information develops, it is worth the time because you're attached. I highly recommend this film!

• Brad W

  
  Munich is not only a genius film, it is the kind of film that makes me proud to be a Spielberg fan. The 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, were supposed to be a peaceful gathering of outstanding athletes from around the world, but on September 5, the games took a sinister turn when… More
  Munich is not only a genius film, it is the kind of film that makes me proud to be a Spielberg fan. The 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, were supposed to be a peaceful gathering of outstanding athletes from around the world, but on September 5, the games took a sinister turn when eight masked Palestinian terrorists invaded the Olympic village, killing two Israeli athletes and abducting nine others. The kidnappers demanded safe passage out of Germany in addition to the release of Arab prisoners in Israeli and German prisons, but when they arrived at the Munich airport they were met by German police and military forces, and in the melee that followed, all nine hostages were killed. In the wake of the killings, the Israeli government gave Mossad, the nation's intelligence agency, a special assignment to track down and eliminate the Palestinians responsible for the death of the Israeli athletes. A young and idealistic Mossad agent (Eric Bana) is assigned to the four-man unit created to wipe out the Olympic terrorists, but while he believes in serving his country, as their bloody work goes on he begins to buckle under the weight of his work and wonders if he can morally justify his nation's acts of revenge. The plot is very long and interesting and never dies down to be one of the most interesting movies I have seen. The cast is brilliant, Eric Bana does his best role to date and i truly loved his role, everyone else did a great job as well. The action was amazing, I know it might of not been a action film but it still seemed amazing in my eyes. This movie is one of Spielbergs best, and truly a masterpiece.

• Eric A

  
  A dead-on movie portraying a very historic event. Brilliant.

• Bethany M

  
  Not my sort of film so therefore it really bored me.

• El Hombre I

  
  Generally, I tend to stay away from talking up commercial mainstream films, but sometimes one or two stand out. I've grown up with Spielberg films. Most I've really enjoyed, while others are a little too sweet. I've agreed with critics labelling him, "The… More
  Generally, I tend to stay away from talking up commercial mainstream films, but sometimes one or two stand out. I've grown up with Spielberg films. Most I've really enjoyed, while others are a little too sweet. I've agreed with critics labelling him, "The director who never grew up". That changed with his direction on Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. Whether you agree with the politics or not, they offer food for thought and are very well made films. Munich follows in that tradition, moreso than Raiders, Close Encounters, Jaws, etc. Although not as "classic" as Schindler's List or Saving Private Ryan have become, it's a reminder that Munich was made by "that" director. A terrific docu-style opening scene, solid acting by the main cast as well as supporting actors, great cinematography, an overall gritty feel and a steady pace all add up to a solid thriller. Spielberg shyed away from picking sides, but instead showed empathy for both: "Jews don't do wrong because our enemies do wrong. We're supposed to be righteous" "Palestinians didn't create terrorism. Palestinian lands were taken by bloodshed and terrorism" <a href="http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/?action=view&current=munich.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i273.photobucket.com/albums/jj203/goji9000/munich.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

• Steven C

  
  I think "Munich" is Steven Spielberg's least sentimental and most thought provoking film. "Munich" works on several levels. The first is that it is an interesting example of representational violence and responsibility in cinema. "Munich" also works… More
  I think "Munich" is Steven Spielberg's least sentimental and most thought provoking film. "Munich" works on several levels. The first is that it is an interesting example of representational violence and responsibility in cinema. "Munich" also works as a gripping espionage thriller and finally as a cinematic answer to the terrorists attacks on the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Spielberg is addressing the fact that we are dealing with the same issues of of race, territory and terrorism today as we were back in 1972 and it's mostly effective. Where the film does falter is that it's rather emotionless. I admire the fact that Spielberg refrains from his trademark sentimentality (that mares films like "Schindler's List," "Saving Private Ryan" and "War of the Worlds") but he has not quite figured out how to make us feel in other ways. It would have helped if he had been a bit more emotionally daring with "Munich." Instead he just crafts the picture as even handed as he can. Still, points are awarded for some ace, Altman-esque cinematography (zoom lenses, master shots, objects from the 'real world' constantly interfering with the image) and some brooding work from Eric Bana and Daniel Craig. "Munich" may not be a total success but it's a great film about global politics and violence in the vein of Costa-Gavres's "Missing" than Oliver Stone's "JFK."

• Jeff "

  
  Munich is a powerful film detailing the operation dubbed "Operation Wrath Of God" a secret mission carried out by the Israeli Mossad to target and murder Palestinians responsible for the September 5, 1972 Munich Massacre where 11 Israeli Athletes were murdered by… More
  Munich is a powerful film detailing the operation dubbed "Operation Wrath Of God" a secret mission carried out by the Israeli Mossad to target and murder Palestinians responsible for the September 5, 1972 Munich Massacre where 11 Israeli Athletes were murdered by Palestinians Black Friday Operatives. Spielberg's film has polarized many, due to the obvious fact that people are strongly separated over the sensitive issue. I won't list my personal beliefs in this review. Munich is based on Canadian Journalist George Jonas' book, Vengeance. The film recounts the retaliatory attacks on those responsible. Spielberg tells an important story amidst the strong political message. Spielberg is not one shy away from a controversial subject and this is very true of Munich. This film examines every aspect, and the motivation as to why the Israeli secret service undertook such an undertaking. Munich has a terrific cast of actors and they all deliver great performances. Spielberg combines action, drama, suspense into one of the most politically driven thrillers to ever grace the screen. Munich is a flawless film. Everything is superb about it, and the message that Spielberg tries to convey is very clear. This film is one of Steven Spielberg's greatest films, and I think it's an important film to watch for people who don't fully understand the real nature of the matter in the Middle East. Munich is a flawless action thriller and is one of Spielberg's best.

• Jens S

  
  One of Spielberg's more serious movies, a story about the assigned killings of Palestinians by the Mossad in the 70s and what it did to victims and assassins. The very convincing acting, good dialogs and well picked sceneries carry this movie. The original news footage creates a… More
  One of Spielberg's more serious movies, a story about the assigned killings of Palestinians by the Mossad in the 70s and what it did to victims and assassins. The very convincing acting, good dialogs and well picked sceneries carry this movie. The original news footage creates a very realistic, somewhat depressive feeling. The film has a lot of smart things to say about the problem Israel vs. Palestine without really taking a side. It does help to know about the terror attack of 1972 during the Munich Olympics, because the film does not offer a lot of explaining. Very touching, interesting and important.

• Jeremy S

  
  Spielberg Triumphant Once Again. A gripping, courageous and relevant film for our time. Munich poses questions but not answers: Is Revenge, counter-revenge and the endless cycle of it, the solution?, Who is justified Israel or Palestine? Who will win? And Will the conflict ever end?… More
  Spielberg Triumphant Once Again. A gripping, courageous and relevant film for our time. Munich poses questions but not answers: Is Revenge, counter-revenge and the endless cycle of it, the solution?, Who is justified Israel or Palestine? Who will win? And Will the conflict ever end? <br/>Onimously the twin towers loom in the background of the last secne with Geffory Rush.

• Jake .

  
  Munich was a pleasent surprise for me. I usually do not like Steven Spielberg's films all that much. I was also impressed with Eric Bana. I had never thought of him as being that strong of a leading actor. It also is not overtly historical. it deffinately has a historical edge,… More
  Munich was a pleasent surprise for me. I usually do not like Steven Spielberg's films all that much. I was also impressed with Eric Bana. I had never thought of him as being that strong of a leading actor. It also is not overtly historical. it deffinately has a historical edge, and the events really did happen, but the movie has a life of its own. The characters have problems and exsist in their own way. It is also beautifully shot and presented. Really, a good, solid, and compelling film. I thought it was kind of emotionally detached though. Alll the material is presented that SHOULD make you care about the characters, but I really didn't. They have interesting lives and backrounds, but I didn't laugh or cry with them. Still, Munich is worth a watching. Just be prepared to give it about three hours.

• Anthony L

  
  A brilliantly and beautifully shot film dealing with the Munich Olympic terrorist massacre of 1972. Spielberg has never been the most unbiased storyteller when it comes to his films (No, I'm not a Nazi) but his morals have always been in the right place. Here, I feel he finds… More
  A brilliantly and beautifully shot film dealing with the Munich Olympic terrorist massacre of 1972. Spielberg has never been the most unbiased storyteller when it comes to his films (No, I'm not a Nazi) but his morals have always been in the right place. Here, I feel he finds perfect balance and shows that, not only are things rarely black and White but that next to no one is innocent and everyone suffers because of it. This is one of his best films to date and has redeemed him in my eyes. The cast are also, on top form esp Bana.

• Aaron N

  
  Ephraim: We have 11 Palestinian names. Each had a hand in planning Munich. You're going to kill them, 11 men, one by one. They're all in Europe now. You'll stay there as long as it takes. Spielberg know how to make his historical epics. A very well done, well acted,… More
  Ephraim: We have 11 Palestinian names. Each had a hand in planning Munich. You're going to kill them, 11 men, one by one. They're all in Europe now. You'll stay there as long as it takes. Spielberg know how to make his historical epics. A very well done, well acted, well crafted movie. Everything here is done well, which is impressive, given that Spielberg chose to make this film immediately after War of the Worlds, with only 6 months to get the film completely made and out in theaters. I mention this because while I wouldn't say this is my favorite Spielberg film, I would say that this may be his best work as a director firing on all cylinders. Ephraim: We deposit money from a fund that doesn't exist into a box we don't know about in a bank we've never set foot in. We can't help you because we never heard of you before. Eric Bana stars as Avner, a low-level Mossad agent, who is chosen by Golda Mier to lead a special team to eliminate eleven of the men involved in planning the assassinations of the Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Avner will be joined by four other Jews, including Steve the driver, played by Daniel Craig. Carl the worrier, played by Ciaran Hinds. Robert the toy maker and bomb maker, played by Mathieu Kassovitz. And Hans the ID forger, played by Hanns Zischler. Avner also receives some backhanded support from his handler Ephraim, played by Geoffrey Rush. These men will have to work at finding leads to get them information for locating their targets, as well as deal with possible from interference from other various agencies. They must also deal with their own personal turmoil, as each kill makes them question their overall purpose and how this effects their religious views and thoughts on the status of Israel. Robert: We are supposed to be righteous. That's a beautiful thing. And we're losing it. If I lose that, that's everything. That's my soul. While not a hard watch as a film like Schindler's List, this film shows Spielberg's movement towards darker and more challenging territory. It is showing the response to a dramatic event through the use of 'eye for an eye' vengeance, while bringing into question the morality of the people involved as well as the significance to the overall standings of the Middle East. The way Spielberg does this, is through assembling a simple revenge narrative and bringing these factors in slowly, as the film moves farther and farther into somber territory. Interspersed throughout the film are recreations of the tragic events at the Munich Olympics, weaving into play the news footage from that time. Along with having the film bring into question some challenging elements, it also succeeds as a competent thriller. Assassination scenes involving some careful planning and secret bombs manage to create quite a bit of effective tension, further employing the different skills of Spielberg as a director. However, even with these thriller moments, the movie doesn't play to an audience friendly level. This is a hard R rated movie, with some graphic violence that treats guns in a very uncensored sort of way. They are loud, jarring, and messy, which this movie doesn't shy away from showing. And even with the violence portrayed, the film is wonderfully shot by Spielberg's regular DP, Janusz Kaminski, who gives the film a sort of washed out look throughout, while still separating the various locations the team is supposed to be at. Also, while not heavily scored throughout, John Williams manages to effectively keep the film set in its tone. The actors are all very good here. Eric Bana deserves more credit for his work. He hasn't been given a great number of lead roles that have brought him to well respected fame, but I really enjoy Bana (even in Troy) and I can only hope he gets more challenging roles like this one that put him in a bigger light for greater audiences to see. At almost three hours, this film is a stretch, but it works at supplying an interesting take at what could have been played for a more straight forward revenge drama set in a historical atmosphere. It is truly a wonderfully assembled piece of work that has come from Spielberg's ability to explore all the various talents he has. Carl: I knew guys like you in the army. You do any terrifying thing you're asked to do, but you have to do it running. You think you can outrun your fears, your doubts. The only thing that really scares you guys is stillness.

• Thomas B

  
  munich is not the greatest film ever made, though it certainly up there. munich is, however, one of the greatest political messages made into a motion picture ever. spielberg has never been a fan of pulling punches and it shows in munich

• Randy T

  
  Like many people around the world, I spent September 5th, 1972 huddled around a TV set, transfixed by the events unfolding at the Israeli athletic dorm in Munich Germany. Prior to that time I hadn't paid much attention to world politics, nor had I , at the age of 10, considered… More
  Like many people around the world, I spent September 5th, 1972 huddled around a TV set, transfixed by the events unfolding at the Israeli athletic dorm in Munich Germany. Prior to that time I hadn't paid much attention to world politics, nor had I , at the age of 10, considered Arab antisemitism to be an issue worthy of my concern. After watching ABC sports commentator Jim McKay remorsefully announce "They're all gone" on live television, all that changed. <center><div style="width:163px;"><a href="http://www.flixster.com/movie/munich-photos/one-of-the-cowards-of-black-september-11592601"><img src="http://content7.flixster.com/photo/11/59/26/11592601_ori.jpg" border="0"/></a><div style="text-align:center;font-size:10px;"></a></div></div></center> The atrocities that the butchers of 'Black September' conceived and carried out that day firmly and forever cemented my support for the nation of Israel, as it did for countless other Americans of my generation. Spielberg's <i>Munich</i> brought back a flood of memories and emotions for me and renewed my passion and support for the Jewish state. It also brought to light Israel's response in the aftermath of the tragedy and presented a plausible dramatic interpretation of the events that later transpired, events that I was, until now, unaware of. As with his other big budget epics (i.e. <i>Saving Private Ryan</i>, <i>Schindler's List</i>, etc.) Steven Spielberg's <i>Munich</i> is polished and commercially viable. It lacks the edginess and grit of lesser scale independent and international productions. That's admittedly more a matter of my personal taste than it is a knock on this Hollywood production, but it nonetheless affects my assessment of the film. The true value of this motion picture is not in it's structure but rather in it's presentation of important history to an entire generation of young people who may have been oblivious to these events.

• E.J. B

  
  Spielberg's movie is a great thriller and a haunting political statement.

• danny d

  
  although raiders of the lost ark is still my favorite of spielbergs films, this may very well be his magnum opus, and that is in the light of films like schindlers list and jaws. a masterpiece of the highest quality, every actor, every shot, every line was perfect. the screenplay… More
  although raiders of the lost ark is still my favorite of spielbergs films, this may very well be his magnum opus, and that is in the light of films like schindlers list and jaws. a masterpiece of the highest quality, every actor, every shot, every line was perfect. the screenplay was beautifully crafted by roth, and geoffrey rush put in a subtly brilliant performance. the musical score was also effective, and despite the long running time the films pacing was flawless. a stellar film.

• Tsubaki S

  
  A bit of a mixed bag, seems that Spielberg can't make up his mind between supporting the killing of the palestinians behind Munich and then making a point about how deluded both sides are about being right in the conflict. Every time the movie seems to go to the second side we… More
  A bit of a mixed bag, seems that Spielberg can't make up his mind between supporting the killing of the palestinians behind Munich and then making a point about how deluded both sides are about being right in the conflict. Every time the movie seems to go to the second side we get another flashback of the israelian athletes getting killed once more, dramatic music and everything. Like if he's trying to convince the audience that the hunt and killing of all the people behind that was justified. Bana gives a good performance, and does help to endure all the "care for your family" mantra that Spielberg injects again and again. So, while not the neutral piece it tries to be the movie does raise some good questions from time to time. When the film focuses on the moral questioning of killing other human beings in the name of "justice" it is when the story does get it's higher points. A shame that the overall film is not that focused.

• Pierluigi P

  
  Spielberg goes into unusually grim territory. A bold and tense thriller with fine performances and great dialectical writing. Too bad it stretches trying to touch all the cords and finding meaning to all the bloodbath the jewish and palestinian have been in.

• Lorenzo v

  
  <i>Ben Stone (Seth Rogen): "You know what movie I just saw again the other day, which is bleeping, like, mind-blowing and I haven't seen it since it came out is Munich." Jay (Jay Baruchel): "Oh, Munich!" Jonah (Jonah Hill): "Oh, man, Munich… More
  <i>Ben Stone (Seth Rogen): "You know what movie I just saw again the other day, which is bleeping, like, mind-blowing and I haven't seen it since it came out is Munich." Jay (Jay Baruchel): "Oh, Munich!" Jonah (Jonah Hill): "Oh, man, Munich fucking rules." Jay: "Munich is awesome!" Ben: "That movie was Eric Bana kicking fucking ass! Through every movie with Jews, we're the ones getting killed. Munich flips it on its ear. We're capping motherfuckers." Jonah: "Not only killing but bleeping, like, taking names." </i> An excerpt from the film "Knocked Up" pretty much sums it up for me. Munich fucking rules. That's that. No questions asked. When a group of Palestinians killed a bunch of Israelis in the 1972 Munich Olympics, the Israeli version of CIA - Mossad assigns the son of a war hero, Avner and four more people to hunt down and assassinate 11 people who had a hand in the Munich massacre. Avner is portrayed by Eric Bana. He played the role perfectly. He is the ultimate choice for the role of Avner. His emotions are so surreal it scares you. The script is fantastic. I sometimes have problems with lengthy movies because sometimes its just two and a half hour of chock-full dialogues and the boredom sets in. But in Munich, I wanted more. The dialogues are there and at the same time the action is also present. Every hit they take is breath taking, like literally it will take your breath away. Its like going for a dip in an ocean and there's a shark behind you and you're scared as hell, that's the feeling that I felt every time they kill someone. Ciaran Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, Daniel Craig, Hanns Zischler, Ayelet Zurer and Geoffrey Rush co-stars and every each one of them were A-okay for me. Director Steven Spielberg made an absolute masterpiece. Every little thing is perfect, the acting, the music, cinematography, editing every little bit is well planned and well executed. This film is not black propaganda. Its an epic tale of vengeance, loyalty, betrayal and paranoia.

• Josh L

  
  Really emotional movie with a great cast. It worked as a thriller for about half of the movie, then it switches gears on the viewers. That was really the only thing I didn't like about it. I was starting to get kind of bored towards the end, but most of the movie was great.

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