One of the great films of all time.

Rating: 10/10 (24 December 2005)

Steven Spielberg's treatise on middle-eastern violence ranks alongside his Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan as a towering achievement. Part electrifying thriller, but heart-wrenching tragedy, this is likely to provoke more thought and debate than any other film this year, and has all of the hallmarks of a master storyteller at the peak of his form. Rather than criticizing Israel, as some have suggested, or vilifying Palestine, as others have complained, Spielberg observes the cost of violence on nations and individuals. Working from a brilliant script by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth, Munich asks difficult questions and doesn't provide easy answers. The cast, including Eric Bana, Daniel Craig and Ciaran Hinds, give excellent, understated performances. The recreation of the Munich massacre is as devastating in it own way as Spielberg's take on the D-Day landing, but the quiet moments where the Mossad assassins question their own righteousness are perhaps even more effective.
Munich is one of the bravest films ever made, and Spielberg deserves to join the exclusive club of three-time Oscar winning directors on this one.