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) (as Vassili Vassilikos), Jorge Semprún (dialogue) (as Jorge Semprun)

Stars:

Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant

Won 2 Oscars. Another 10 wins & 12 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Yves Montand	...	Z
Irene Papas	...	Hélène (as Irène Papas)
Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	Le juge d'instruction
François Périer	...	Le procureur
Jacques Perrin	...	Le photojournaliste
Charles Denner	...	Manuel
Pierre Dux	...	Le général de gendarmerie Missou
Georges Géret	...	Nick
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 | police | government | military | politician | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | History | Thriller

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Certificate:

PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

Director Costa-Gavras says that Montand's scenes, including flashbacks and photos only occupy 12 minutes of screen time.

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Goofs

When the Photo-Journalist is interviewing Dumas the Russian in the café, Dumas mentions a paramilitary force. In the English subtitles this is translated as "a paramilitary farce".

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Quotes

[first lines]
Deputy Minister of Agriculture: Mildew is prevented by spraying the vines with a solution of copper sulfate. There are two standard remedies: Bordeaux mixture and Burgundy mixture - named after the French provinces famous for its wines. The vines are sprayed three times a year: first when the shoots are about five inches long; second, just before or after the blossoms appear; and the third time, a month later. Spraying is preventative and thus essential

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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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Alternate Versions

This received wide release in the United States in an English-dubbed version.

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Connections

References Citizen Kane (1941)

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Soundtracks

Pios Den Mila Yia Ti Lambri
Composed by Mikis Theodorakis
Arranged By, Conducted by Bernard Gérard
Published By April Music
(p) CBS Records / Columbia

User Reviews

Possibly, the mother of all political thrillers

In this film, we find ourselves in a big city in a nameless country, whose political system is royal democracy. However in effect it is under a military regime. At that time, a pacifist politician-doctor-athlete arrives to deliver a speech about disarmament. This does not please the military, who devise a plot to do away with him. The politician is killed and his murder is covered up as an accident. The rest of the film is about the efforts of the Examining Magistrate and a newspaper photographer to uncover the truth.

For those who are up to date with Greek history, the country is Greece, the city is Thessaloniki and the politician is Grigoris Lambrakis. But that is of small importance, since this is a story which could have (and possibly has) happened anywhere at any time in history.

About the film: the cinematography is excellent, even by today's standards. The acting and direction are both top class. But what impressed me the most was the film's editing. After the slow first 15-20 minutes or so, the film picks up a pace which is tight and lightning fast. The dialogue is concise and to the point - the film's last lines, spoken by the Narrator and found in the quotes section of IMDb, never fail to bring tears to my eyes. Finally, the film offers what I consider to be the best film score of all time (but I may be a bit biased on this, since the score is by Mikis Theodorakis, my personal favourite).

This kind of documentary-style film making has been done plenty of times since, especially in political thrillers. But this is what sparked everything up. Watch this film. You'll be rewarded.

My rating: 10/10

Details

Country:

France Algeria

Language:

French Russian English

Release Date:

26 February 1969 (France)

Also Known As:

Z

Filming Locations:

Algeria

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$10,144, 15 March 2009

Gross USA:

$83,305

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$83,305

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

127 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1