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Z (1969)
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Overview
User Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
8 December 1969 (USA)
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Plot:
Following the murder of a prominent leftist, an investigator tries to uncover the truth while government officials attempt to cover up their roles. full summary | full synopsis
Plot Keywords:
Cover Up
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Government
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Greece
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Police
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Demonstration
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Awards:
Won 2 Oscars.
Another 9 wins
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9 nominations
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NewsDesk:
User Comments:
The most important political film in Greece
more (56 total)
Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only)| 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) |
Additional Details
Also Known As:
Z ou l'anatomie d'un assassinat politique (France) (working title)
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Parents Guide:
Runtime:
127 min
Language:
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.66 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
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
Fun Stuff
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.
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Quotes:
The General:
Dreyfus was guilty!
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Movie Connections:
Referenced in "HBO First Look: 'The Contender': The Making of a Political Thriller (#7.17)" (2000)
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Soundtrack:
Messe Pour le Temps Présent--Psyché Rock
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FAQ
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (56 total)
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Z (1969) moreRecommendations
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First and foremost, it is a true story. It's the story of the assassination of Grigoris Lambrakis, that eventually led to the military junta. Every time I see it, it gives me the chills. Since Z was released while the junta was still in power, it was banned in Greece for several years. After the fall of the military junta, Z was worshiped, although we saw it on TV much later in order to avoid stirring passions. In terms of the plot, if you're not Greek, it's quite possible you might be left with many unanswered questions, but, in general, it is an accurate description of Greece during that era.
While Vassilikos' novel (written in 1966) has driven him to exile from 1967, Theodorakis was still in Greece under surveillance and managed to write his excellent score secretly.
Costa-Gavras gives us a top-class fast paced direction which hasn't aged even today, although I'm sure the Oscar was as much a political decision as a purely artistic one. What is truly spot-on is the casting. Both Montand and Trintignant excel, but even minor roles like Vago and Yago are portrayed in an extremely realistic way. My small objection would be Irene Papas staying near-silent throughout the movie. Although her talent allows her to pull it off with class, I really didn't understand why she was not supposed to talk.