Z (1969)

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

Director:

Costa-Gavras

Writers:

Vasilis Vasilikos (novel), Jorge Semprún,

Stars:

Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant

Won 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 9 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yves Montand	...	Z
Irene Papas	...	Hélène
Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	Le juge d'instruction
Jacques Perrin	...	Le photojournaliste
Charles Denner	...	Manuel
François Périer	...	Le procureur
Pierre Dux	...	Le général de gendarmerie
Georges Géret	...	Nick (as Georges Geret)
Bernard Fresson	...	Matt
Marcel Bozzuffi	...	Vago (as Marcel Bozzufi)
Julien Guiomar	...	Le colonel de gendarmerie
Magali Noël	...	La soeur de Nick
Renato Salvatori	...	Yago
Habib Reda
Clotilde Joano	...	Shoula (as Clotilde Joanno)

Storyline

In a mid-sized metropolis (population 500,000) in a right-wing military led country, a pacifist organization, which supports the opposition party in the government, is planning on holding an anti-military, nuclear disarmament rally. The organization's charismatic leader - the deputy - is scheduled to arrive in the town from the capital the day of the rally. Beyond the problems arranging the rally due to the probable incitement of violence at such a rally, the organization learns of an unconfirmed report that there will be an attempt on the deputy's life. The rally does happen, after which a three-wheeled kamikaze runs over the deputy, who eventually passes away from his injuries. The official report is that the incident was a drunken accident. In reality, the deputy's death was murder orchestrated by the secret police, the general for who likens the pacifist organization to mildew killing off agricultural crops. A magistrate is assigned to the case. Although he does have political ...

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Plot Keywords:

rally | cover up | right wing | government | police | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

M

Details

Country:

France Algeria

Language:

French Russian English

Release Date:

8 December 1969 (USA)

Also Known As:

Z - A Orgia do Poder

Filming Locations:

Algeria

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$10,144 (USA) (13 March 2009)

Gross:

$83,305 (USA) (11 September 2009)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Office National pour le Commerce et l'Industrie Cinématographique, Reggane Films, Valoria Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the end of the film is a list of names banned by the Generals. he names are separated by commas, except for one: "Lurçat !!?!". This is a reference to the key figure in the revival of woven tapestry in the 20th Century, Jean Lurçat.

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Goofs

After Georges Géret as Nick is hit on the front of the head, he holds the back of it.

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Quotes

Manuel: They say a hungry bear won't dance.

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Crazy Credits

Any resemblance to actual events, to persons living or dead, is not the result of chance. It is DELIBERATE. (Signed by) Jorge Semprún, Costa-Gavras

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Connections

Referenced in Traffic (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Messe Pour le Temps Présent--Psyché Rock"
(uncredited)
Composed and Performed by Pierre Henry
Courtesy of Philips/PolyGram Records
by arrangement with PolyGram Special Markets
© 1967 Philips Classics Productions

User Reviews

A few interesting facts and misconceptions about the film.and the true story that it is based upon.

This is not a review.All that is need to be written about this masterpiece of a film has already been written.

However there are 1-2 things worth mentioning that might interest some folks that are not from Greece: Jean Louis Trintignant's character "The Examining Magistrate" was in reality Christos Sargetakis who became the president of Greece for 5 years(1985-1990).

The film ends with the rise of the military dictatorship and it is suggested that the upposition didn't really capitalise on Lambrakis' assassination.That's not what happened in reality.

In reality the Lambrakis assassination caused the resignation of prime minister Karamanlis(the right wing P.M of Greece at that time) and the triumph of the upposition(something like the democrats in the U.S,the G.Papandreou party,NOT Lambrakis' left wing party) in the elections of 1963 with a whooping 54% which becomes even bigger when taking into account the situation in Greece at that time,with right-wing police controlling everything and manipulating the citizens.

Of course the film was made after the democratic-elected government had fallen and junta had taken over.(in fact the democratic government had fallen 2 years*in 1965* before the junta took over and we had a false semi-democratic government that consisted right wing members of parliament and defected members of the G.Papandreou party)

So in reality the Lambrakis assassination DID make a difference in Greece,if only for 2 years(1963-1965) while on the film nothing changed.I guess with the ultimate rise of the junta that was reigning at the time the film was made it was proper to make the film bleaker than the true events.