The film “September 5” offers a gripping look at ABC Sports’ coverage of the Munich Massacre
Munich: So, there’s this new film called “September 5,” and it’s a real nail-biter. It dives into how the ABC Sports team handled the chaos during the 1972 Olympics when the Munich Massacre happened. You know, the tragic event where terrorists took hostages from the Israeli team.
The movie gives you a behind-the-scenes look at the control room, showing how the team scrambled to cover the unfolding crisis. It’s directed by Tim Fehlbaum, and they really nailed the atmosphere with some clever filming techniques. They even used real footage from the time, which makes it feel super authentic.
Even though they had to condense a lot into a short film, it never feels rushed. You get to see how the team, led by a young producer named Geoffrey Mason, reacted to the shocking news. They had to think on their feet, moving cameras outside to capture the action and even sneaking film back to the newsroom.
John Magaro plays Mason, and he’s fantastic. Peter Sarsgaard shines as Roone Arledge, the president of ABC Sports, who insists on keeping the coverage in-house. It’s a tense situation, and you can feel the pressure they were under.
There’s also a great mix of real-life personalities and fictional characters, which adds depth to the story. The film doesn’t shy away from the moral dilemmas they faced while broadcasting live. It’s a gripping reminder of how different things were back then, especially when it comes to covering breaking news.
Overall, “September 5” is a powerful tribute to the journalists who faced unimaginable challenges during a dark moment in history. It’s definitely worth a watch if you’re into gripping dramas that make you think.
