Z

The movie details the eventual overthrowing of the government of Greece after a series of events that follow the public assassination of a prominent leader, who is anti war. Although the movie itself never mentions this explicitly, it is widely known that is tells the tale of an actual political assassination. Thanks to IMDB for some background in addition to my DVD. I have left the names of the characters and starcast out of my review below, since I am largely unfamiliar with their names and I guess, most of my readers will be too,

The entire movie is tautly done and is an example of deft scriptwriting. The movie won the award for the best foreign film at the Academy Awards in 1969 and was nominated for the Palm d'Or. It won the jury prize at Cannes.

The entire star cast is convincing in their roles. Yago & Vago, the two right wingers, who have a role to play in the sequence of events, are particularly impressive, as is the character who plays the judge, who knits together the entire movie. The tension in the movie in the leadup to the assassination is palpable, while the Bolshoi ballet performs in the same city at the same time as the broadcast planned by the leader. The movie has several moments of satire when someone in the starcast is thumbing their nose at the establishment. The portrayal of the establishment is amusingly colorful. One particular set of scenes, which stays with the viewer is the indictment of the several officials in a virtual parade and then their comic fumbling in their attempts to make a hurried exit. The wife of the murdered leader essays a mostly silent but expressive role. The interplay amongst the other members in the aftermath of the assassination is realistic, while they debate various actions, some of which aren’t in line with their ideology of being legal always. This review is short in line with the movie's story telling style itself and if the movie could be summed up by one sentence, it would the dialogue of the emotionless, committed judge who keeps asking, Nom, Prenom, Profession!

The movie has a simple story and is almost thrilling in every reel, including in the hospital. The background score supports the script well, while one is taken on a roller coaster of a plot.

Must see.