Z (1969)

92% of critics liked it
(39 reviews)
93% of users liked it
(5,714 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 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 the auditorium by a group of right-wing extremists with political ties to the government as the police stand by and do nothing to intervene. He recovers long enough to make the speech but is later clubbed again and must undergo several surgeries, then dies during one of the procedures. A newspaper reporter finds a witness to the event and a judge willing to hear the case despite government protests. The ensuing trial reveals a government conspiracy, but the results of the trial are thrown out when a new government is formed by a military coup, which results in the intolerance that outlaws long hair, the Beatles, and any peaceful protests. Director Costa-Gavras used actual trial transcripts of the investigation into the May 22, 1963, assassination of Greek pacifist leader Gregoris Lambrakis, which proved a government conspiracy in his death. Yves Montand gives the best dramatic performance of his life, and Irene Papas stars as his wife, Helena. Z won the Oscar for Best Foreign Film of 1969, was 14th in terms of box-office success, and hit an international nerve in the age of social unrest, government cover-up, and political assassinations. All those involved worked on the film for a reduced rate with an option for royalties based on earnings at the theater window. The letter Z in the Greek alphabet means "he is alive." ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 2 hr. 8 min.
Directed By: Costa-Gavras
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Feb 26, 1969 Wide
On DVD: Jul 2, 2002
Studio: Rialto Pictures

Critic Reviews

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.
David Edelstein, New York Magazine
Fascism has been driven underground, but a dose of Costa-Gavra's electrifyingly brutal 1969 political thriller Z will rattle you all the same.
Nicolas Rapold, Village Voice
The military junta that ensued in Greece gave the film a sense of urgency approved by Cannes and Oscar alike.
Phil Hall, EDGE Boston
Required viewing for any lover of political thrillers.
Sean Axmaker, Turner Classic Movies Online
... thrilling, compelling, run through with vivid supporting characters and narrative twists and turns that have the dramatic punch of fiction even when based on real events.
Peter Keough, Boston Phoenix
Four decades later, this glimpse into the machinations of political violence, intolerance, willful ignorance, and systemic oppression has lost none of its urgent relevance.
James Kendrick, Q Network Film Desk
a relentlessly fast-paced political expose that has not a single wasted second
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
This edition of Z lives, perhaps ironically, through the beauty of its surface and sheen.
Bill Weber, Slant Magazine
It's still an eye-catching, fast-paced watch.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The newe October (2009) DVD contains new, remarkable interviews with director Costa Gavras and ace cinematographer Raoul Coutard.
Fernando F. Croce, CinePassion
The cyclonic drive is all heat and outrage
Marc Mohan, Oregonian
Its mere existence is testimony to the fact that no matter how hard those in power struggle to conceal their misdeeds, truth will eventually win out.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Mikis Theodorakis provides a stirring musical score of traditional Greek music.
Keith Uhlich, Time Out New York
This concession to cheap psychological realism still manages to stand out and stick in the craw.
Armond White, New York Press
Years later, Costa-Gavras' shrewd contrivance and superb form hold up impressively.

Read all 18 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

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
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 were characterized as the simple victims of abuse, the police and political figures swine, and obviously there is a labyrinth of intrigue that leads to revolution in an unknown state (thinly veiled as Greece in the early 1960's) The supposed dark humor was lost upon me, but that is on account of the language barrier and the time period. The ending, so haunting and frankly scary, was eye opening and a great wrap up for the message of the film.
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
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 it's easy to see how it caused a firestorm on release and opened a whole new realm of possibilities for filmmakers. brave cinema indeed
familiar s

Heavily applauded at its release, this political thriller today comes across as somewhat "being there, seen it all" experience. Having said that, it still doesn't bore you to death & is quite engaging. I liked the way the characters are presented, especially that of… More
Heavily applauded at its release, this political thriller today comes across as somewhat "being there, seen it all" experience. Having said that, it still doesn't bore you to death & is quite engaging. I liked the way the characters are presented, especially that of the major witness. Costa-Gavras really does a commendable job. His movies have never left me utterly disappointed so far (okay, maybe because I've seen only 3 movies directed by him, namely "Missing", "Amen." & this one). 6.5/10.
Ross C

Police complicity in the assassination of a peace activism leader. The first third slowly sets the scene, but thereafter the story focuses on the cooly objective judge piecing together the facts of the incident that clearly point to police involvement and subsequent coverups. Here the… More
Police complicity in the assassination of a peace activism leader. The first third slowly sets the scene, but thereafter the story focuses on the cooly objective judge piecing together the facts of the incident that clearly point to police involvement and subsequent coverups. Here the story shows some real wit and intelligence. It's a very 60s movie with some psychedelic moments and that crazily edited flashback style of the era.
Luke B

An important film in terms of technical ability, storytelling, and it's message. Z deals with the assassination of a political figure, and an alleged cover-up that may run deep into crevices of the government and establishment. Z manages to tell a complex story, but keeps us… More
An important film in terms of technical ability, storytelling, and it's message. Z deals with the assassination of a political figure, and an alleged cover-up that may run deep into crevices of the government and establishment. Z manages to tell a complex story, but keeps us engaged with the characters by building upon them as the plot unfolds. One fascinating technique, has silent flashes from character's pasts. This helps paint a canvas outside the realm of the film, without being distracting filler. For such a talky film, it manages to keep a well timed pace using it's beautiful musical score and the perfect editing. Riveting.
Pierluigi P

A bit dated, nevertheless a necessary, intriguing and well made political thriller. with great performances and a deserved academy award.
Brian R

Based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Vassilis Vassilikos. The film presents a thinly fictionalized account of the events surrounding the assassination of democratic Greek politician Gregoris Lambrakis in 1963.A rally occurs, a Deputy(Yves Montand) makes a speech, protesters… More
Based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Vassilis Vassilikos. The film presents a thinly fictionalized account of the events surrounding the assassination of democratic Greek politician Gregoris Lambrakis in 1963.A rally occurs, a Deputy(Yves Montand) makes a speech, protesters shout in anger, a blue truck runs over the deputy as he tries to cross the street. Was it an accident? or a attempted murder? The plot goes into deep territory as the filmmaker Gavras wants me to understand that the assassination of a political figure was a planned attempt as police tried to make the situation look more like a cover up. Z reminds me of films like "JFK", "The Contender", and "Rashomon". The story is told in a fractured non linear way(sometimes confusing) to let the viewer understand that coverups are usually fractured and confusing since people don't want the public to understand what really happened. My fav character is probably the Photojournalist played by Jacques Perrin, who acts like an undercover rogue agent and digs deep to find the culprits responsible for the murder of the Deputy. Other great roles come from Irene Papas as the Deputy's wife after hearing the truth from an official looks saddned and lost with pain or grief(probably due to the constrants in their marriage) Renato Salvatori as Yago(involved in the assassination) and Julien Guiomar as The Colonel. Some say Z is a dated film. I don't belive it is because Gavras film has a strong message to say in the corruption of Politics and dirty scandals. It's also noticeable that this film was banned as well as the other names credited in the film, even filmmaker Costa Gavras was banned from Greece. The code name Z takes refrences to the assassination of the Deputy meaning "HE LIVES" and so does Gavras.
Tom S

The speed and constant motion of the movie captured the vitality of political upheaval. By the end, I was ready to riot.

Read all 8 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Yves Montand as The Deputy

            Irene Papas as Helene the Deputy's wife

            Jean-Louis Trintignant as The Magistrate

            Jacques Perrin as Photojournalist

            François Périer as Public Prosecutor

            Charles Denner as Manuel

            Maurice Baquet as The Bald Man

            Jean Bouise as Deputy Georges Pirou

            Marcel Bozzuffi as Vago

            Gérard Darrieu as Baron

            Jean Daste as Coste

            Van Doude as The Hospital Director

            Pierre Dux as The General

            Bernard Fresson as Matt

            Steve Gadler as English Photographer

            Georges Géret as Nick

            Julien Guiomar as The Colonel

            Gabriel Jabbour as Bozzini

            Clotilde Joano as Shoula

            Guy Mairesse as Dumas

            Jean-Pierre Miquel as Pierre

            Magali Noël as Nick's Sister

            Renato Salvatori as Yago

            Georges Rouquier
            
            Andree Tainsy as Nick's Mother

            Jose Artur as The Newspaper Editor

            Eva Simonet as Niki

            Jean-Francois Gobbi as Jimmy the Boxer
See full cast

Z (1969)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Spencer S

Stella D

familiar s

Ross C

Luke B

Pierluigi P

Brian R

Tom S

Cast

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