Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5 Stars)
Released 12-13-2024
Watched 02-06-2025
Reviewed 02-12-2025
Rented on Apple TV+
"News will tell us what it means afterward, and I'm sure they're gonna try. But this is our story, and we're keeping it."
Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5 takes audiences inside one of the most harrowing moments in Olympic history—the 1972 Munich hostage crisis—but through an unexpected lens: the world of live television journalism. Rather than focusing solely on the tragedy itself, the film captures the chaos, responsibility, and ethical dilemmas faced by ABC Sports as they found themselves thrust into real-time crisis reporting.
The story follows Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), the innovative president of ABC Sports, and Geoffrey Mason (John Magaro), a producer navigating the unprecedented shift from covering athletic triumphs to broadcasting a terrorist attack unfolding in real-time. Leonie Benesch delivers a compelling performance as Marianne Gebhardt, a translator who plays a crucial role in helping the network report the story accurately.
One of the most impressive aspects of September 5 is its seamless integration of archival footage with newly filmed scenes. This technique immerses the audience in the era and heightens the tension by blending history with dramatization. The film’s meticulous attention to detail is astonishing—the recreation of the ABC control room, complete with vintage broadcast equipment, is a testament to the dedication of the production team. The effort to locate, restore, and make functional decades-old equipment is nothing short of miraculous, adding an extra layer of authenticity.
For many viewers, this tragic event may not be familiar, making the film an eye-opening history lesson as well as a gripping drama. The movie also highlights the birth of real-time crisis reporting, a practice now commonplace but groundbreaking at the time. Watching journalists navigate ethical and logistical challenges in an era before 24-hour news cycles is fascinating, especially in contrast to today’s media landscape.
The screenplay, which earned a nomination for Best Original Screenplay, is a tightly woven narrative that balances high-stakes newsroom drama with introspective moments from its characters. Fehlbaum’s direction keeps the film tense without resorting to excessive dramatization, making it feel both urgent and thoughtful.
While September 5 primarily focuses on the media’s perspective, rather than the personal stories of the hostages or the political ramifications of the attack, this approach provides a fresh angle on a well-documented tragedy. It effectively showcases the weight of responsibility journalists carry in shaping how the world perceives unfolding events.
With its expert craftsmanship, compelling performances, and masterful blending of archival and new footage, September 5 is a must-watch for history buffs, journalism enthusiasts, and those who appreciate smart, gripping drama. It may not be an easy watch, but it is certainly an important one.
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