Z

Z (1969)

  • 93% of critics liked it
    (40 reviews)

  • 92% of users liked it
    (5,946 ratings)

Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made, exposing government hypocrisy and cover-up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei (Yves Montand) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event, he is attacked outside… More

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PG,
Directed By
Genres
Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense
In Theaters
Feb 26, 1969 Wide
Rialto Pictures

Critic Reviews

  • Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune

    It is a great film for many reasons, not the least of which is that it can be enjoyed as a political thriller as well as a political statement.

  • Jonathan F. Richards, Film.com

    It's hard to overstate the impact that this Oscar-winning procedural thriller had in 1969, on a world roiling in political activism, repression, and discord.

  • Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post

    Z, whose title is a stand-in for the Greek word zei ('he lives'), takes us back to where that fascination all began for Costa-Gavras and shows us that, for the rest of us, it hasn't ever really ended.

  • Ty Burr, Boston Globe

    In its slick cinematic urgency and its outrage, Z still has the power to shake you up.

  • Dana Stevens, Slate

    Z combines the intellectual heft of revolution-themed films like The Battle of Algiers with the drop-dead cool of mod touchstones like Blow Out or Le Samouraï.

Read all 16 critic reviews

See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

  • Devon B


    "Z" is a film of the sixties, even more so perhaps than "Woodstock". The film shows what the effects of public protest can have on the established government, in particular, the paranoid, thug-like behavior of bullies when threatened. "Z" stands for… More

  • Universal D


    Old school mallet about murderous corruption in high places when a charismatic anti-status quo leader is mysteriously struck down during a public rally. An international cast lend mucho gravitas to the seemingly quick proceedings. Also at play, amongst other things, is the simmering… More

  • Josh M


    Z is a very original and fast paced political thriller, full of surprises throughout. Greek director Costa Gravas made a depiction of an actual assination of an opposition politician in his native country, but it's shot with French actors in Algeria. This sounds strange, but it… More

  • Spencer S


    Tension, political outrage, lies, and the people trying to turn them into truths. These are some of the evident and amazingly displayed themes of the political thriller Z. Dealing with Communism, a prevalent powder keg for the time, was broached heavily, and the protesting masses… More

  • Stella D


    one the most important films of the 60's, it may have lost some of it's immediacy in the 40 intervening years but it's still a brilliant political thriller with great pacing, gripping even if u know nothing of the history involved but better if u do. read up and… More

Read all 13 featured audience ratings

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Cast

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