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Well, one film fits the bill here, and it’s Steven Spielberg’s accomplished 2005 historical drama “Munich”. This is based on the true story of the Black September Palestinian group, who killed 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics, held in Munich. The narrative focuses on the group of Israeli operatives tasked with avenging these crimes against the State of Israel:
Spielberg’s complex film couldn’t fit our title better, really. It’s jam-packed with moral dilemmas for us, as viewers. Are the violent actions of a state-sponsored team of operatives ever truly justifiable, whatever the crimes that spurned their existence in the first place? And despite Spielberg’s own origins and background, he’s been very careful here to tell the story from as neutral a standpoint as could reasonably be expected. And this, whilst tackling one of the most complex, bitter and violent disputes seen anywhere in the world, in the modern era.
The film was shot in many locations here in Malta, which doubled up for several other countries, including Israel itself, Greece, and Italy. So, quite apart from enjoying an engrossing, dark story from one of cinema’s masters, you’ll have ample opportunity to spot various locations around Malta being used as backdrop. From the Sliema seafront (here doubling up as Tel Aviv), all the way over to a piazza in Rabat, for an early scene in the movie that’s set in Rome.
There’s an excellent cast here. Australian Eric Bana gets strong support from character actors like Ciaran Hinds. And Geoffry Rush is on great form as the doggedly determined chief of the Israeli operation. And witness the scene leading up to a bombing at an Athens hotel. Daniel Craig’s impervious, ice-blue eyes look up at the balcony from his getaway car, his face piercingly lit by flashing lights from the city streets. It’s evocative, ominous cinematography from Speilberg, here.
A film as much about the loss of a man’s soul as it is about the right of a people to claim a particular piece of land as their own, Munich is really a must-see for all local viewers who want a bit of meat on their cinematic bone.
Movie Rating: 4 / 5
This Munich Movie Review was part of an episode of our movie podcast. Show Notes for this episode:
In this episode of More Than A Movie, we start by interviewing our guest, director Vanessa Vella.
We next review ‘Munich‘, Steven Spielberg’s powerful espionage thriller, that was partially-shot here in Malta. [jump to 14:47 above].
We then review our three main Crime Dramas That Let You Decide, for this week’s episode:
The Firm (1993) – [jump to 17:47 above]
Heat (1995) – [jump to 21:36 above]
The Captive (2014) – [jump to 25:30 above]
More Than A Movie is written and presented by Andrew Bonello. It was originally recorded and aired on Campus FM Radio, at the University of Malta.
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