Product: One Day in September [VHS] (2006)
Rating: 4.0
Maddening, Compelling
As a child, I was too young to fully understand this tragedy when it happened. As an adult, there are many aspects I still can't understand: The callousness of the Olympic Committee; the blundering of the German officials; the monstrous irresponsibility of the media; the joyous celebration of the Palestinians when the bodies of their "heroes" returned home; the enduring pride of the remaining terrorist, now a husband and father, in the role he played. Several times, overwhelmed by my own emotions of anger and frustration, I had to stop the video and take a breather.What I felt was missing was a deeper explanation as to why the Palestinian "Black September" group felt compelled to act as they did. I don't think I will ever be able to empathize with people who kill unarmed civilians, but I would at least like a better understanding, if possible, of their motivations. Another aspect might have been interviews with the reporters who were on the scene, broadcasting every move of the German response team in advance: Do they now feel they should have handled this differently? On the other hand, maybe I don't want to know the answer.