Munich (DVD, 2006, Widescreen)

The telling of such a story about horrific violence and killing to prove a point only brings us all back to the same conclusion. It's always going to be stalemate.
NOBODY WINS. Nobody really ever wins when tolerance is not important.

Munich, an emotionally riveting film and well developed characters, kept me interested from start to finish. Although the film was 2 hours, 44 minutes, it still could have well been 4 hours long and still hold your interest.

Spielberg pushes this movie to its very limits with his bold and brazen approach to presenting what happened in 1972 with the Munich massacre and what ensued.

Spielberg's Munich was considered for 5 academy award nominations in 2006.

'Munich' is, on the whole, a straight forward hit-man movie. The assignments are handed out; the team is assembled, each with their own specialty; and they travel about Europe plotting and carrying out their hits. We have the inevitable paranoia, the double agents and suspicious loyalties. So far, so familiar. Only 'Munich' is wrapped in the thin veneer of 'history' and 'fact', and mob bosses and corporate espionage is replaced with Middle Eastern politics and Israeli-Arab relations. I mention this because the politics of 'Munich' are really nothing more than a topical plot devise, used the same way as cold-war relations and soviet villainy was used thirty years ago.

What prevents 'Munich' becoming just a generic updated-cold-war thriller, is the sheer quality of the production. From the flawless recreation of European capitals in the early seventies to the impeccable costume design to the beautiful cinematography – 'Munich' is a visually fascinating movie. The performances are universally outstanding, with Bana in particular bringing a sense of tough nobility that seems to be his forte. The script is intelligent and thought-provoking, and it is Kushner's focus on the emotional and psychological landscape of his characters rather than the details of political contract killing, that ultimately lifts the movie above the generic. The kind of self-consciously poetic prose for which he is known, so often seeming unrealistically erudite, is kept to a minimum, and when it does appear, is so beautifully written and performed that all reservations are forgotten.

Ultimately, the greatest praise must be reserved for Spielberg, who has, with 'Munich', created perhaps the first truly adult movie of his career. We see no signs of his trademark sentimentality, his descents into fantasy, his childish simplification of motivation. With 'Munich', he embraces ambiguity and complexity, and as a result, has invited criticism from those who prefer their drama simplistically black and white. Above all, one can't help but wonder what the Spielberg oeuvre would look had he not dedicated his career to kid's movies, fantasies and feel-good sci-fi.

'Munich' is an intelligent and gripping thriller that is a major contender for award recognition, and deservedly so. An outstanding achievement

Another Steven Speilberg masterpiece.
I find films like "Schindler's List" and this one extremely important for all those who have the constitution to endure them to watch.
What's the quote? "Those who do NOT learn from history are destined to repeat it."
This film - MUNICH - it seems it especially significant in that terrorism has become a prevalent concern throughout the world today.
Sadly, orchestrated acts of terror are no longer infrequent, isolated occurrences. There are ways in which films which realistically portray the horrors of violence, terror, war, etc. enable human beings to be appalled by the inhumanities perpetrated by certain people against other people. We need to realize how awful acts of hatred are! It is past time for humankind to begin living compassionately.

Fabulous show. Enjoyed @ the theater as well as in a Home Video experience on DVD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a great movie covering the following events as to what happened at the Munich Olympics. Definitely recommended.

This is a movie that gets under your skin. Built around the aftermath of the massacre of Israeli atheletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics, the film focuses on its effects on a group of agents who are assigned to strike back. This takes a toll on their leader, Avner, played by Eric Bana, who begins to question the ethics and effectiveness of what they are doing.
Avner belongs to a generation of sons and daughters of Holocaust survivors living in a country surrounded by enemies who have vowed to wipe them from the face of the earth. It's a viable threat in light of their history and a recent wound. The ghosts of victims he'll never know drives Avner and the birth of his first child provides him his only real hope for the future.

Steven Spielberg doesn't take the easy way out. He looks at the issues from several vantage points and opens a dialogue on the politics of revenge. Spielberg seems to do his best work when it comes from the heart as it did with "Schlinder's List." He was criticized from several parties for venturing out of a strict politically correct viewpoint with this thought provoking and controversial exploration of a very complex issue.

In the end there are no easy answers and we leave the film as shaken as Avner, but maybe with a bit more understanding.

"Munich" is a strangely intense film dealing with a secret Israeli task force mandated to kill those responsible for the so-called Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics. I say "strangely" because the action moves at a moderate pace all the while incredible decisions regarding assassination and murder are being planned at every level of civilian, military and government. I say "intense" because we are witness to the degradation of human spirit and morality as Avner (Eric Bana) and his men sink lower and lower into the abyss of revenge murder and the never-ending cycle of terrorism. Juxtapositions between family and murder abound both for Avner (on unauthorized leave to Israel to attend the birth of his daughter) and the family of Louis with the multitude of children swarming the family estate all the while the adults provide information to all sides, perpetuating the murderous games played all over Europe and Asia. It has often been said that Nazism demonstrated the "banality of evil" in that ordinary men and women committed extraordinary acts of cruelty and barbarism. This is so in "Munich". But above all the point is made on several occasions that no side has a monopoly on righteousness, decency or morality. All of the characters participate in the endless revenge play known as the Middle East Crisis.

Pros: This movie will make you think. Its very serious subject material. It's very interesting to see how the roles change in how trying to defeat the terrorists they become more like them than ever imagined. The switch from the hunter to the hunted and how money buys influence really is indicated in this movie. The characters and their thoughts really draw you in. This movie also reminds you to learn from lessons of history or you are doomed to repeat them!! I recommend this movie highly!!

Con: The movie is long. You will need to take breaks. It is serious subject material. Do expect to feel good afterwards.

Very interesting account based on the 1972 Olympic Israelis Murders. Even the slow parts had me interested enough to keep watching .

This movie may seem slow at times but it is a must see. The 70's era is captured beautifully. The retelling of actual events is enthralling as well as experiencing the political dynamics of the time. I recommend it.

This movie has so many wonderful qualities to it. First, the acting. Eric Bana is simply outstanding in the lead role. Daniel Craig, in his role as supporting actor is phenomenal. I was NOT however, impressed with Golda Meir's portrayal in this movie. It was very watered down, making her appear to be merely the final decision maker behind a team of advisors. That was not the case. She was, and still is, one of the finest examples of female leadership, and that could have been showcased. It would not have taken anything away from the film, it would only have added to it.

As with all movie based on true stories, this is difficult to watch in parts. Highly emotional. If you can't handle violence, this is not for you. I think parts of it could have been less gory, but when working with facts, it is often best to stick to the truth, as difficult as it may be.

For some people, it will be "just another movie". For me, it is a piece of history that has been encapsulated in movie form and it will forever remind me of how much has been lost, and how far we have yet to come.

Very good movie. Purchased because of Steven Spielbery. Worth the price! Lots of action and drama!

Speilberg's take on the Munich Olympic disater. I was a teenager when this happened and this movie relived that horror. Speilberg did not pull any punches, and this movie-documentary got the facts straight.

I didn't think Spielberg would employ overly-graphic violence in a film he directed... I was wrong. The overall production was well done considering it was potentially a documentary of the Munich murder repercussion by Israeli activist members. 2 other films come to mind that create a similar atmosphere: "3 Days of the Condor" where Redford is a CIA-type operator who is thrust into a similar political/economical tryst albeit not of his own doing, and a film called "The Conversation" where Gene Hackman, a electronic guru bugger reaches a similar inevitability as the Israeli hit team does, the hunter becoming the hunted.

Although the acting was more than adequate, the scene changes seemed very abrupt without enough background to identify exactly what the goal really was, even after viewing a 2nd time. But in general the screenplay (once you were clear who was hunting who) keeps the viewer on that seat edge throughout the entire 2 hours & 44 mins.

I recommend seeing it twice, once to hash out the historical particulars and again just for appreciation's sake of the harsh reality of opposing ideologies clashing on the screen.

Excellent movie for the people who like movies based on real events,we can consider that is one of a good creation of STEVEN SPIELBERG.

The deal was good and I received what I paid for. Happy with the content. Good viewing and entertainment to my taste. The items were Region 1 (American) but being in Australia I have a multi-region DVD player so I saved heaps over what I'd pay in this country. I've bought a 1,000 dvd's off eBay and I've never missed out on a delivery.

Love the movie highly recommended. No dislikes. bought it because its one of the best films i have seen in a long time.

Perfect Response and prompt shipping....Great Ebayer....Highly RecommenD TO DO BUSINESS WITH >>THANK YOU

the movie itself is great, but i am entirely disappointed that there was so little acuracy to the film. yes the instances actually took place, but i have done alot of research on israel, and if the director had talked to anybody from there, the movie would have turned out quite differently. the movie was based on a book that was entirely shunned from the israelisecret service community, for lack of any true depiction of the events. if the director had taken the time to research the topic instead of copying from a book, the movie would be a definite must see, but instead is just a possible rent.

I thought this was an excellent movie. I like movies that are based on a true story. I think it was very well produced and I would watch it again for sure! I give this movies 5 STARS.

I really didn't enjoy this movie. I found the sub-titles made it hard to read and follow the story line.

It shows the stark dedication of Israel to survive.Israel set out to tell their enemy,you just can't arbitrally kill Jews, as if they were insects.The people killed were humans, of high quality.They needed to live and breathe until their natural deaths.You just don't slay people without getting slain.Kill not, less ye be killed.

Excellent movie/documentary, based on true events. It's not your typical "entertainment" movie, but the story stays with you even after you've finished watching it. It shows that even if you want peace, sometimes you have to defend that peace from those who want to take it from you.