State of Siege (1972)
"État de siège" (original title)

In Uruguay in the early 1970s, an official of the US Agency for International Development (a group used as a front for training foreign police in counterinsurgency methods) is kidnapped by ... See full summary »

Director:

Costa-Gavras

Writers:

Franco Solinas, Costa-Gavras (original scenario),

Stars:

Yves Montand, Renato Salvatori, O.E. Hasse

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 4 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yves Montand	...	Philip Michael Santore
Renato Salvatori	...	Captain Lopez
O.E. Hasse	...	Carlos Ducas
Jacques Weber	...	Hugo
Jean-Luc Bideau	...	Este
Maurice Teynac	...	Minister of Internal Security
Yvette Etiévant	...	Woman Senator
Evangeline Peterson	...	Mrs. Santore
Harald Wolff	...	Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nemesio Antúnez	...	President of the Republic
Mario Montilles	...	Assistant Commissioner Fontant
André Falcon	...	Deputy Fabbri
Jerry Brouer	...	Anthony Lee
Roberto Navarrete	...	Commissioner Romero
Douglas Harris	...	A.I.D. Director

Storyline

In Uruguay in the early 1970s, an official of the US Agency for International Development (a group used as a front for training foreign police in counterinsurgency methods) is kidnapped by a group of urban guerillas. Using his interrogation as a backdrop, the film explores the often brutal consequences of the struggle between Uruguay's government and the leftist Tupamaro guerillas.

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Plot Keywords:

uruguay | guerilla | revolutionary | south america | third world | 

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Genres:

Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

France Italy West Germany

Language:

French

Release Date:

22 March 1973 (Italy)

Also Known As:

State of Siege

Filming Locations:

Cerro Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, V Región, Chile

Company Credits

Production Co:

Reggane Films, Euro International Film (EIA), Unidis

Technical Specs

Runtime:

120 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This was going to be the first movie shown in the new John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. It was cancelled because the plot of the movie was judged to be inappropriate. This caused a big controversy. A Washington D.C. television station took advantage of the controversy by acquiring the broadcast rights to the film and showing it uncut after running a big advertising campaign calling it the "film banned from the Kennedy Center."

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Goofs

The name of the Brazilian Ambassador in Uruguay is Fernando Campos (the name is revealed throughout the film). But in the beginning of the film right before his kidnap his name appears on a sign at his house as Roberto Campos.

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Connections

Featured in Neverland: The Rise and Fall of the Symbionese Liberation Army (2004)

User Reviews

a great snapshot of an urban revolution

State of Siege is an exceptional account of how the Uruguayan underground revolution (Tupamaros) developed an extremely challenging resistance against both Uruguayan dictatorship and other parties such as USA and multi nationals who financed such dictatorship. The film describes in great detail the meticulous process used during the resistance, which in turn was adopted in other parts of Latin-America and Asia. Having lived in Uruguay during this time (1970s)i was amazed at the accuracy of the story and the ability by the story teller and the characters to convey a story/narrative that at the time of filming was very much a well hidden secret by both the establishment and its supporters, and the Tupamaros. Great research, and a great opportunity for those who are interested in Latin America political system as well as getting an effective snapshot of a time in history.