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Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Ciarán Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, Hanns Zischler ... see more see more... , Ayelet Zurer , Geoffrey Rush , Michel Lonsdale , Mathieu Amalric , Lynn Cohen , Marie-Josée Croze , Makram Khoury , Yigal Naor , Omar Metwally , Moritz Bleibtreu , Mostafa Djadjam , Gila Almagor , Moshe Ivgy , Yvan Attal , Hiam Abbass , Valeria Bruni Tedeschi , Meret Becker , Brian Goodman , Hicham Nazzal , Guy Zo-Aretz

Much as Steven Spielberg followed 1993's special-effects blockbuster Jurassic Park with a far more downbeat and personal project later the same year, Schindler's List, in 2005 after tearing up the box... read more read more... office with War of the Worlds the director closed out the year with a powerful and thoughtful drama about the human costs of international terrorism. 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. Munich also stars Geoffrey Rush, Daniel Craig, Mathieu Kassovitz, and Ciarán Hinds. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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78% liked it

304,565 ratings

Critics

78% liked it

198 critics

R, 2 hr. 44 min.

Directed by: Steven Spielberg

Release Date: December 23, 2005

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DVD Release Date: May 9, 2006

Stats: 13,679 reviews

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Mathieu Amalric (as Louis) and Michael Lonsdale (as Papa) in 'Munich' Eric Bana Munich Avner and Ephraim Ciarán Hinds Munich Munich One of the cowards of Black September Munich Munich Munich
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Flixster Reviews (13,679)

  • jamers2011
    December 6, 2011
    jamers2011
    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!
  • DreamExtractor
    August 31, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    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 whe... read moren 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.
  • fb729949618
    July 31, 2011
    fb729949618
    A dead-on movie portraying a very historic event. Brilliant.
  • murphmann93
    June 23, 2011
    murphmann93
    Not my sort of film so therefore it really bored me.
  • DrBenway
    June 13, 2011
    DrBenway
    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 gr... read moreew 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"


    Photobucket
  • stevenecarrier
    June 6, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    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 thrill... read moreer 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."
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    April 22, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    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 Bla... read moreck 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.
  • ironclad1609
    February 7, 2011
    ironclad1609
    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 ... read morevery 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.
  • smith44
    June 5, 2010
    smith44
    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 e... read morend?

    Onimously the twin towers loom in the background of the last secne with Geffory Rush.
  • neverteaseaweasel
    November 16, 2009
    neverteaseaweasel
    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, a... read morend 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.

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Critic Reviews

Mick LaSalle
December 27, 2005
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Everything that keeps it from being lovable could be looked upon as a virtue, and everything about it is intentional. Full Review

Steven Rea
December 27, 2005
Steven Rea, Philadelphia Inquirer

Munich ricochets all over the place, but it hits its target dead-on.

Roger Moore
December 27, 2005
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Like the superior Syriana, this isn't a Middle Eastern tale that offers much hope. It's just bloodstained history. And if we don't remember that history, Spielberg says, we learn nothing. Full Review

Stephen Whitty
December 27, 2005
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger

The ultimate problem with Munich is that it's looking for a clear-cut answer that doesn't exist. And while it frames its final act as an argument, it's an argument it's having with itself. Full Review

Jack Mathews
December 27, 2005
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News

The failure of a movie that is so good in so many ways leaves me to wonder if Spielberg is up to this kind of complex, multitasking story. Full Review

Amy Biancolli
December 27, 2005
Amy Biancolli, Houston Chronicle

Across the board, the film's performances are sinewy and tough, elastic enough to bend with misgivings. Full Review

Michael Booth
December 27, 2005
Michael Booth, Denver Post

Munich can't decide where to end, so we get six or seven possible finishes, each exhausting. Full Review

Robert Denerstein
December 27, 2005
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

At a time when he easily could duck and cover, Spielberg has put himself at the service of material that offers little by way of comfort.

Terry Lawson
December 27, 2005
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

Spielberg is simply reiterating that the Old Testament demand of an eye for an eye has left the world blinded and wandering in an endless cycle of reprisal. This is not exactly a philosophical or dram... Full Review

Rick Groen
December 27, 2005
Rick Groen, Globe and Mail

Bouncing about from one flawed movie to another, Steven Spielberg has lost his way of late, and Munich finds him more disoriented than ever. Full Review

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Facts

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    • Hans: [the team is speeding through the city after getting away from a gunfight, killing another target, and taking a Greek porter. He is yelling in Greek as Hans yells at Robert] Are you capable of making something that actually works? You shut up! Does anybody know how to speak Greek?
    • Carl: Did we kill a Russian?
    • Steve: Where did you get your training? Every fucking bomb, every single one is fucked up!
    • Robert: I wasn't trained to do this! I was trained to dismantle bombs, not to build them! [the team look at Robert in shock]
    • Steve: Holy Shit.
    • Avner: Are you Wael Zwaiter?
    • Wael Zwaiter: Yes, and who are you? [Robert and Avner draw their guns out and point them at Zwaiter]
    • Avner: Do you know why we are here? [Zwaiter tries to lower Avner's guns with his hand and speaks to him in arabic] Are you Wael Zwaiter?
    • Robert: He said yes already, he already said yes. What do I do?
    • Avner: Do you know why we are here? [Avner and Robert fire into Zwaiter's chest six times, to which he collapses and dies]
    • Steve: [singing in the car while they wait for the explosion] Papa was rolling stone, wherever he laid his hands, was his own. Papa was a rolling stone...
    • Carl: Steve shut up.
    • Steve: Where's the explosive? It should have exploded by now. Whats going on?
    • Carl: Its probably another malfunction.
    • Steve: You know what, he has fucked up again! This is a waste of time!
    • Carl: It could still work! [Hans grabs a grenade out of the bag] Hey, careful with that stuff Hans! [he exits the car and heads towards the apartment] Hans, get back here!
    • Louis: I want $200,000 for one name.
    • Ephraim: We have eleven Palestenian names, each who handed on planning Munich, you are going to kill' em one by one.
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Munich Trivia

  • Steven Spielberg does a lot movies about the Second World War. Which of those doesn´t happen in that time?  Answer »
  • Munich is based on true events that happened during the Munich Olympics in 1972 ?  Answer »
  • What film had this tag line : The world is watching in 1972 as 11 Israeli atheletes were murdered at the Munich Plympics .This is the story of what happened next ?   Answer »
  • Who directed the movie Munich?   Answer »
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