Greetings again from the darkness. The 1972 Olympics are remembered for a few highlights. Swimmer Mark Spitz set seven world records on his way to seven gold medals. Belarusian gymnast Olga Korbut won three gold medals (although not in the all-around). The United States and Russia played one of the strangest and most controversial games in Olympics history. And most importantly, the 1972 Munich Olympics are remembered for the tragedy surrounding 10 members of Israel’s team being taken hostage by a masked Palestinian militant group.
Writer-director Tim Fehlbaum and co-writers Moritz Binder and Alex David recreate the events from the perspective of the ABC television production crew. For some historical perspective, this was the first OIympics with widespread and comprehensive live television coverage. It was also the first Olympics held in Germany since 1936 (the Jesse Owens’ games). These games were merely 27 years after the end of WWII. Quick math tells us that 27 years ago from this film’s release was 1997, the year Princess Diana died. To put it plainly, physical and emotional wounds had not completely healed, and Germany was striving to put the past out of mind.
Renowned ABC sports producer Roone Arledge (played here by Peter Sarsgaard) is the man running the Olympics coverage. Newbie broadcast producer Geoffrey Mason (John Magaro, PAST LIVES, 2023) is brought in to run the “off hours”, while Arledge rests. Mason’s experience includes covering minor league baseball, so this is his first shot at the big time. His supervisor, Marvin Bader (played by Ben Chaplin, THE THIN RED LINE, 1998) has confidence in his young protégé, but things go sideways quickly when gunfire is heard.
The genius of the film stems from Director Fehlbaum and Cinematographer Marcus Forderer (I ORIGINS, 2014) choosing to shoot everything inside the ABC control room. This heightens the claustrophobia and pressure as the crew struggles with how best to handle this developing and obviously historic moment. It’s no longer about swimming and sprinting, but now it’s ABC Sports versus ABC News … and since possession is the proverbial 9/10 of the law, Arledge fights to keep the story with his team who is in close proximity. Anchor Jim McKay is seen in archival footage, while reporter Peter Jennings is on the grounds. Translator Marianne Gebhardt (Leonie Benesch, who was amazing in THE TEACHER’S LOUNGE, 2023) is the only one who speaks German and she is vital in her reporting of what’s being broadcast via local radio.
It’s difficult to convey just how much tension runs through this film for both the television crew and the viewers. Ten members of Israel’s Olympic team was taken hostage inside the Olympic Village by the masked Palestinian militant group Black September. We know how history played out over those hours and it’s chilling to revisit from this perspective. The geopolitical aspects are touched upon (Bader was Jewish), but this isn’t about that. Journalism may be heavily criticized these days, but it’s historic moments like this when we depend on competent trained professionals to tell (and show the stories the world needs to know. The haunting archival clips used here add to the quasi-documentary feel.
Opening in select theaters on December 13, 2024 and wide on January 10, 2025
Movie Reviews from the Dark 
Hi David
I know your probably very busy but I would really like to be a movie critic. I watch all types of movies. Usually atleast 3 per day, sometimes more when I find really good ones. I’d love any advise you could give me and point me in the right direction. Your definitely my go to guy when I want an honest review I can trust and you’ve never let me down yet. Thanks for your time.
Roger Dozier
Hi Roger,
Thanks for the note and kind comments. Well, you certainly have Step One accomplished … watch a lot of movies! The next step, if you aren’t already doing so, is to write reviews of the movies you watch. Personally, I find I spend at least as much time writing and researching as I do watching movies. You have to find your voice – what it is you want to say. Are you trying to chronicle the movies you watch for yourself, or are you hoping to enlighten or educate others? There are so many ways to get started. You can easily start your own blog or website. You can start your own podcast, if that’s your preferred method of delivery. You can also use other sites such as Letterbxd, IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, etc. Since most national sites, magazines, and newspapers have done away with full-time film critics, the opportunity for freelance submissions is huge. Once you have been writing/publishing/broadcasting for a while, I recommend submitting an application to your local Film Critics Association. I’m not sure any of this helped or if you already knew, but I wish you the best in expanding your love of movies.
David