Olympic Munich 1972: The world shocks the world!

Olympic Munich 1972: The world shocks the world!

on September 5, 1972, at 4:40 a.m., a fateful event occurred during the Olympic Games in Munich: Palestinian terrorists took the Israeli Olympic team as hostages. These attacks were transferred live from a nearby ABC television studio, which revolutionized reporting and asked questions about journalism and voyeurism. The film "September 5", directed by Tim Fehlbaum, illuminates the dramatic events from the perspective of journalists and the media.

The 1972 Olympic Games were the first games with global satellite transmission, an important step in media reporting. Germany, as the host of these games, wanted to present a cheerful and inviting picture, especially after the National Socialists' Propaganda Games in 1936. But the dreams of sporty splendor were brutally overshadowed by the "Schwarzer September" group, which led to the murder of eleven members of the Israeli delegation. nd Aktuell emphasizes that the hostage-taking was broadcast live from sports television and not by news television, which made the dramatic events even more oppressed.

The role of the media and journalism

In this tense moment, the members of the ABC Olympic team were only 100 meters away from the action. Producer Geoff, played by John Magaro, and sports director Roone Arledge, represented by Peter Sarsgaard, decided that they had to broadcast the events live. The German interpreter Marianne (Leonie Benesch) played a crucial role by providing the team with information about the national news and the police radio. The hostage -takers were able to observe the media reporting, which continued the situation.

historical context

The 1972 events left a lasting impression and raised many questions about the responsibility of the media and security at large international events. The return to the games after the tragedy was controversial. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to continue the competitions with the remarkable explanation of President Avery Brundage: "The Games must go on!" This reflected the conflict between the desire for normality and the deep trauma that had spread in the atmosphere of the games.

The film "September 5" addresses these challenges and the effects on the relatives of the victims. Director Fehlbaum brought authentic perspectives by collecting 90 hours to create a documentary feeling. It was taken care of not presenting real victims in order to maintain respect. The original image material by Jim McKay, the moderator of the 1972 Olympic Games, is also licensed and integrated into the film.

The admission prices for the performances have also been announced. From Tuesday to Thursday, a ticket costs € 8.90 (7.50 € reduced), while on Friday, Saturday and on Sundays and public holidays the prices rise to € 9.90 (€ 8.50 reduced). The tickets are available on Mondays for € 7. There is a special offer with the adventure children's cinema on Sunday for only € 5.50.

Overall, the film is not only a cinematic view of historical trauma, but also a profound reflection on the role of media in crisis situations and the responsibility of reporting. Sportschau describes how the Olympic Games in Munich turn from a feast of freedom and tolerance into a symbol of international uncertainty.