Product: One Day in September [VHS] (2006)
Rating: 5.0
An engrossing movie about a tragedy of errors
As I stated in my earlier review of the book of the same name, the film "One Day In September" reminded me of the day when I learned, in my then 12-year-old innocence, that nothing is sacred to terrorists, not even the Olympics. I needn't worry about revealing "spoilers" in this review, since probably anyone who would have an interest in seeing this film already knows its horrendous outcome.I have a great love of historical dramas - "Titanic" and "JFK" are among my favorite films - but unlike these (and the earlier docudrama "21 Hours At Munich"), this film has much more to offer - specifically, the perspectives of those parties directly involved. The relatives of Andre Spitzer and Jacov Springer give voice to the dead (although, truthfully, I would like to have heard from the other families - Ankie Spitzer, while a great lady, is interviewed EVERY time this subject comes up). In a real coup for the producers and director of this film, the last survivor of the Munich murderers, Jamal Al-Gashey, crawled out of hiding long enough to proudly recount the deeds of his terrorist compatriots (A question - why is this man still alive? Mossad, where ARE you?). Several of the German police and government officials speak about their attempts to resolve the crisis without (for the most part) shirking their responsibility for the tragic ending (although one will be quite off-put by General Wegener's seeming callousness and the Keystone Kops-like bungling in general).Newsreel footage brings the events of 1972 back to life in all its' horrendous flower. As a word of caution, I recommend that any viewer should steel him/herself for the last 10 minutes of the film. If the images don't infuriate you, they should at least make you cry. If neither happens, you have no soul.