Z (1969)

Director:

Costa-Gavras

Writers:

Vasilis Vasilikos (novel)
Jorge Semprún (writer)

Release Date:

8 December 1969 (USA)

Genre:

Crime | Drama | History | Mystery | Thriller

Plot:

Following the murder of a prominent leftist, an investigator tries to uncover the truth while government officials attempt to cover up their roles.

Plot Keywords:

Cover Up | Government | Greece | Police | Demonstration

Awards:

Won 2 Oscars. Another 9 wins & 9 nominations

Cast

Yves Montand	...	The Deputy
Irene Papas	...	Helene, the Deputy's wife
Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	The Examining Magistrate
Jacques Perrin	...	Photojournalist
Charles Denner	...	Manuel
François Périer	...	Public Prosecutor
Pierre Dux	...	The General
Georges Géret	...	Nick (as Georges Geret)
Bernard Fresson	...	Matt
Marcel Bozzuffi	...	Vago (as Marcel Bozzufi)
Julien Guiomar	...	The Colonel
Magali Noël	...	Nick's Sister
Renato Salvatori	...	Yago
Habib Reda
Clotilde Joano	...	Shoula (as Clotilde Joanno)

Also Known As:

Z ou l'anatomie d'un assassinat politique (France) (working title)

Runtime:

127 min

Country:

France | Algeria

Language:

French

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Certification:

Spain:(Banned) (1969 - 1976) | Argentina:16 | Chile:18 | Finland:K-16 | Spain:13 (re rating) | Sweden:15 | USA:M (original rating) | USA:PG | West Germany:16 | Singapore:PG

Filming Locations:

Algeria

Company:

Office National pour le Commerce et l'Industrie Cinématographique

Trivia:

"Z" is tied with the Fritz Lang movie M (1931) for the record for shortest movie title ever. Holds the record for the movie with the shortest title to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Quotes:

The General: Dreyfus was guilty!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Splendor (1989)

One of the few, however great, films concerning a dark period of Greek history

The film '' Z '' is based upon the same-titled book written by Vassilikos and referring to a real-life event: the assassination of one of the most honorable Greek politicians ( his real name was Grigoris Lambrakis ), who sacrificed his life in the name of peace and human dignity. Costas Gavras did his best to present the prevailing atmosphere and the political situation in Greece ( although Greece is at no point straightly mentioned, but implied ) during May of the year 1963, which is the year when the real events took place. Choosing an adventurous, thrilling or hilarious style according to the facts and scenes presenting at each part of the story, he made an '' all time interesting and provocative '' film. Great acting was also put in by everybody and particularly by Jean-Louis Trintignant, who was great as the Examining Magistrate. As long as the script is concerned, the plot builds up very satisfactorily and carefully, thus not leaving any holes. Great respect should also be paid to Mikis Theodorakis who wrote the original score for the movie, helping it gain the marvelous rythm it retained right until the very end of it. As a concluding remark I would like to mention that anybody who's interested in late Greek history ( from post World War II era to date ) should watch it carefully. The whole result is very rewarding.