Munich is an excellent treatise of a millennium old state of mind

Rating: 9/10 (29 June 2006)

Munich is summarised in (I believe)the last word uttered in the movie "NO" I watched the movie on DVD in the comfort of my lounge - I didn't want to see it in a public place. I believe it absolutely captured the Israeli approach to their collective future. It also absolutely captured the Israeli brevity of emotion in particular circumstances. I have not read one word of commentary by anyone on this movie - i witnessed the actual Munich situation and didn't need to be reminded. What really grabbed me was the message of the movie - we have heard the message many times before. However, this movie delivered it without frills and therefore was so effective. Israelis and Jewish people generally (and I am Jewish)have a particularly strong sense of justice - as well as a strong image of self. Israel is "our" country and "we" will never be dismissed from that country - Israelis in particular see their country as an inviolate state of their right to exist after untold periods of suppression and violation. This is what Munich is about - the Spymaster's word "no" at the end of the film is seen as absolutely the last word to the entire world. No you will not defeat us! No we will not accept violation! No you cannot hurt us without being hurt in return! Unfortunately, to a large extent, the Arab population throughout the middle east continues to misunderstand that here is a people who would rather visit an entire middle east "Masada" than lose either their home or their freedom. Unfortunately, the potential combined economic impact of a united middle east may never be realised - or is that the intention?