21 Hours At Munich

A respectable enough dramatization of the events surrounding the murder of 11 Israeli athletes at the 1972 Munich Olympics.

Made only 4 years after the events in question, it looks fairly dated now and the acting is adequate at best.

If the subject matter interests you, I would suggest watching Steven Spielberg's Munich or the documentary One Day in September rather than this film.

I have seen many documentaries about the events of Munich, 1972. I must say I find it fascinating that such an act of atrocity could occur in the 20th Century - the early 1970's. I find it fascinating because it is a true story and that the German authorities (normally such an efficient people) could make such a monumental screw-up that it cost the lives of 11 Israeli athletes. This film had good production values (the Executive Producer on the film was EDWARD R. PRESSMAN - producer of WITNESS, WALL STREET and THE TRUMAN SHOW) and the cinematography was done by PAUL VERHOEVEN's regular collaborator JOST VACANO. Shooting the film at the actual location where the events took place is a nice touch, and adds to authenticity. Remember this film was made only 4 years after the real events took place. But the main problem with this film is that it has a TV movie feel to it (just like the similarly-themed IRVIN KERSHNER film RAID ON ENTEBBE) 21 HOURS AT MUNICH certainly ticks along nicely, and it doesn't lack tension. But there have been much better films made about the Munich Massacre than this - ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER is a perfect example - a superb Oscar-winning documentary, and Steven Spielberg's film MUNICH are both a much better take on the same tragic events.

This movie is about an interesting story that could have made a thrilled movie full of action and drama, but instead this movie is just boring and sleepy with the worst actors.

Utterly unimaginative, cardboard-cutout 'dramatic' reconstruction of the horrific event of September 1972 when a group of Israeli athletes were taken hostage by Palestinian terrorists during the Olympic Games in Munich. Despite the authentic locations and quality cast (Holden, Quayle, Nero and Knight), a combination of the dullest script imaginable, stereotypical portrayals and variable attempts at accents (none at all by Holden!) defeat the film almost as soon as it begins. Useful as a visual forward to Spielberg's Munich perhaps, but not much more.

Don't be put off by the other reviews. This is the first film that was ever made about Munich so it's very old and in 70's style. It's basically what you'd expect from a 70's film. Ok, it lacks the special effects and Hollywood feel of today, and looks primitive in comparison, but it gets the point of the story across. As long as you know to expect a 70's style film.