The Price of Revenge

Rating: 7/10 (23 December 2005)

Once again, Steven Spielberg follows one of his "Hollywood" blockbusters with a more dramatic and more serious film. Most people over the age of 40 or so can remember with some clarity the 1972 Summer Olympic games in Munich, West Germany. Sadly, many Americans seem to remember most America's basketball team getting ripped off by the Soviets. However, the greatest tragedy was the kidnapping and murders of the Israeli Olympic team (coaches and athletes alike). It was a horrific event, made worse by the complete incompetence of the West German officials (who handled the crisis as poorly as anybody could). It was that poor mishandling by the West Germans, and the escape from any kind of justice by the assassins, that motivated the Israelis into deciding that something more had to be done. And that "more" was getting revenge against anybody that bore any responsibility. So, the Mossad (secret police) put together a hit-list of people they feel were involved in the plot and killings. Were these people on the list all legitimate targets worthy of assassination? That is a question each person, depending on their own motivation and beliefs must answer. However, one clear point that Spielberg makes in this wonderful film, is that killing for revenge for killing, does not resolve conflicts or bring peace, just more hardship. Moreover, the mental toll taken on by these Israeli assassins for carrying out their justice, raises interesting parallels with their targets. The Bible says "Vengeance is mine sayeth the Lord," indeed.