Watch One Day in September

One Day in September is a powerful documentary film directed by Kevin Macdonald that explores the events leading up to and during the terrorist attack on the Israeli Olympic team during the 1972 Munich Olympics. The film incorporates archival footage, interviews with family members and survivors, and reenactments to provide a comprehensive and emotional recounting of the tragedy.

The film begins by chronicling the preparations for the Olympic Games in Munich, highlighting the excitement and anticipation felt by athletes from around the world. However, this excitement is quickly shattered on September 5th, 1972, when a group of eight Palestinian terrorists scaled the fence surrounding the Olympic Village and kidnapped eleven Israeli athletes and coaches. Over the course of several hours, the terrorists negotiated with German authorities, demanding the release of over 200 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages.

Through interviews with family members of the victims and survivors of the attack, the film humanizes those who were killed and injured, allowing the viewer to understand the depth of their loss. Additionally, the film considers the political implications of the attack, exploring the international community's response and the subsequent fallout.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of One Day in September is its unflinching depiction of the attack itself. The film shows the terrorists forcing their way into the Israeli team's quarters, holding the athletes at gunpoint, and ultimately executing two of them. The shots of athletes jumping from windows in attempts to escape the terrorists are harrowing and unforgettable.

In addition to the archival footage, interviews with individuals who were present during the events of that day provide the viewer with a sense of the chaos and confusion that characterized the attack. Many of these individuals, including members of the German police and Israeli government officials, express their frustration with the handling of the situation and the subsequent lack of accountability.

Michael Douglas provides the film's narration, lending gravitas to the proceedings. However, it is the voices of those directly affected by the attack that truly resonate. The film's director, Kevin Macdonald, allows those individuals to speak freely and openly about their experiences, resulting in a powerful and unvarnished depiction of the tragedy.

One Day in September refuses to offer easy answers or conclusions, instead choosing to explore the nuances and complexities of the situation. The film is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and a poignant reminder of the tragedy that occurred on that day 49 years ago.

Overall, One Day in September is a moving and thought-provoking film that offers a fresh perspective on a tragedy that has loomed large over the world for decades. By humanizing the victims and exploring the political implications of the attack, the film provides a comprehensive and emotional look at the events of that day. Anyone interested in history or politics will find One Day in September to be a compelling and informative work.

One Day in September is a 1999 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8 and a MetaScore of 82.