Visitors Review

Joe L (2012-05-22 19:27)

Pink attack warning 2

Saying I had already reviewed this movie is just a sneaky way of censoring me. Saying I had already reviewed this movie is just a sneaky way of censoring meSaying I had already reviewed this movie is just a sneaky way of censoring me. Saying I had already reviewed this movie is just a sneaky way of censoring me

Michael O'Neill (2012-05-22 06:16)

Recently released on digitally remastered DVD, it is a film for our times.

Winner of two Academy Awards, the story is told in a timeless time as anameless country slides into a police state where lies are rewarded,truthis punished and good people are hurt.The visuals are so compelling one wants to slow everything down and simplywatch them unfold, unsettling for a movie with subtitled French. There isnoslack time when the dialogue is so crucial and the images are so perfect.Inspite of this challenge, the characters become people you believe in, hopefor, despise, resent.Excellent DVD extras, especially thoughtful for a film 35 years old: howtheoriginals were digitally improved, with many examples; scene selection;interesting and insightful commentary track; and pertinent, informativeconversation between the director of the film and the author of the novelonwhich it was based.Most importantly, for those who wish to hear, this film has an importantstory to tell us in our times, particularly when you realize, as thetitlesmost specifically spell out, that "any similarities between this story andactual people and events is intentional."

henryklepczynski (2012-05-20 06:58)

Z Hits a Nerve, and Hits It With a Sledgehammer

You don't need to know the language to understand the meaning. Peoplewho know me have heard me say that.I just finished watching Z on DVD today. My comment is purely of acinematic nature.I have heard about Z winning the Academy Award for foreign languagefilm in its nomination year. I found it to be a strange title for amovie. I didn't even know what story the film had to tell. For years, Iwanted to rent the film and had not. Well, through my online movierental, I put Z in queue and finally received it. Now that I have seenit, I think this is the best political thriller I have seen.Every ordinary person who believes in an ideal so deeply would knowwhat this film represents. It's not about the police, or the leftistleader, or the judge investigating, or the subordinates doing theirduties. It's about the concept of willing something upon society intoreality, and if there are those whose thinking is in direct conflict ofthat will, then those people must be squashed. And when things gowrong, then suddenly everyone goes on the defensive.There is a man who is dead, and he shouldn't be, now who's responsible?And there is an authority figure determined to find out the truth aboutwhy the man is dead.Cinematically, Z carries out this concept and story perfectly! I can'ttell you how excited I was to see where this story was going.And when I find out that the military regime government wins outanyway, I felt shocked. The government trampled on EVERYBODY! This wasa political thriller of the highest quality.Even though it took me years to finally make the effort to watch Z, itwas not too late to experience a film that was such a frontal assaulton me the viewer, and I'm grateful for it.For a movie almost 38 years old, Z has relevance, power andcraftsmanship that stands the test of time. And now that I've seen it,I'm glad to have made the effort to find it.

Apollo-14 (2012-05-19 18:50)

More of a documentary than a movie

This movie is good but only for those who have some background of the story.The director does nothing to fill us in on the political situation inGreece and we are left in the dark as to what role each character plays.But for those who do know about the Lambrakis case, it is engaging andfast-paced. As for the other 99.99% of the world, hit the Greek historybooks before you see this movie; don't expect the director to fill youin.

(2012-05-18 20:11)

Probably the only truly great thing Montand has done.

A complicated if naive, by today's standards, tale of political intrigue and government cover-up. Historically important. Vassily Vassilikos's book and subsequent screen play caused his exile from his native Greece during the time of the "Generals". A must for anyone seeking to understand the Mediterranean mentality, and the political machinations of Southern Europe.

Ronni (2012-05-18 13:34)

Sensational! The epitome of cinematic excellence!

"Z" is a masterpiece! It is delightful, thrilling and beautifully adaptedtofilm. The cinema is marvelous, the message is deliciously electrifying andthe ending is absolutely superlative! "Z" is the best political thrillerI've seen, matched only by "Missing" (also directed byCosta-Gavras).The acting is flawless. Yves Montand, of course, plays his roleimmaculately. But Irene Papas as Helene performs extraordinarily,especiallyconsidering how small a speaking role she has. Jean-Louis Trintignant is adelight as the magistrate; Jacques Perrin is pristine as thephotojournalist; Renato Salvatori, Marcel Bozzuffi, and Pierre Dux areabsolutely perfect for their villainous roles.Combined with truly remarkable cinematography and an unforgettablesoundtrack, this makes "Z" everything a movie should be.Also strongly recommended:Missing (1982), Costa-Gavras;Amilie (2001), Jean-Pierre Jeunet(aka, Le Fabuleux destin d'Amélie Poulain);Dr. Strangelove (1964), Stanley Kubrick

Corey Cole (2012-05-17 17:59)

A truly unforgettable film

I saw this in the theater when it first came out and I was a youngteenager.Scenes from the film are still with me; it is one of the most moving anddramatic films I have seen, and probably had some influence on mypoliticalphilosophy as I grew up.Z is a highly-intense film, not for lightweight entertainment, but is oneIhighly recommend. As I understand it, the film is based on a trueincidentduring the Greek "revolution of the Generals". As a film must be, it isclearly slanted (in this case, toward the liberal side). Who is to saywhatis "truth" at this point? Z will cause you to think about the questionsraised and is also an exciting suspense and action film.

seashellz (2012-05-17 07:44)

One needs continually to be reminded that Democracy is fragile...

...and even if evil is overcome, we must always be on guard-Governments arealways looking for new ways to domesticate and enslave us, even as they fail-do not ever becomecomplacent.This film personifies the feelings of the expanding desire for freedom thatpermeated the late 1960s-early 1970s-not just political freedom, but personal freedom, culturalfreedom-the freedom NOT to get assigned to the dreary role of "Consumer:Nuclear Family variety"that was prevalent at the time-at least here in the USAª.It is curious that from this film, one sees that peace and Nuclearnon-proliferation were big issues in Europe at the time,1963, while here in the states we were blissfully unawareof any such issues to a large degree-...just meat and potatoes, and a new car every year, and getting junior andSis off to college to a good career, thank you-all which was starting to unravel here in the US bythe time this film came out-1969;The dedication of the principals in the film make it very engaging to view,without it feeling dated in any way;Add to that the generally excellent job WELLSPRING (nee FoxLorber) has donewith this new, restored DVD release, and you have a very excellent piece of filmaking, andan enjoyable viewing experience watching History as it took place.

craig-windum (2012-05-16 18:37)

Must-See

Z I'm amazed this film is not as popular as it should be! It wasNOMINATED FOR 5 Oscars!!! I watched it on TV the other day, and I waslike "wow, this movie is good, why have I never heard of it?" So then Ilooked it up and found out about the Oscars, and I was not surprised.Everyone should see this film! It is about corruption in politics, andit says everything that most films that focus on Militarydictatorships, etc., as a subject should say. The ending is brilliant(I won't spoil it for you). There's a certain energy to the film thatis relentless – it starts off strong, and stays that way throughout,never letting go. It's an old film, but more thrilling that any ofthese modern thrillers coming out these days. I will have to see morefilms by the director – he is very talented, and I see that he was alsovery influential as a filmmaker during the art-house golden age. Butthis film is less an art-house piece, and more like an amazingmainstream film!

esteban hernandez (2012-05-16 12:09)

It still happens often

This is a bit old film, produced by Algeria and France, and based onthe novel of the writer Vassilis Vassilikos. The director Costa Gavras,always interested on historical and political issues for his films(État de siège 1972, Missing 1982, Betrayed 1988 and Music Box 1989)took the novel for the plot of this film to describe somewhat how thedictatorship evolved in Greece of 60s. The authorities of the countrydid not want to disrupt the game of democracy, i.e. not to prohibitpublic manifestations, press freedom and others, but in a subtle, andalso vulgar and brutal way, they used hooligans to beat and kill those"communist" elements, who were protesting against the government or thestatus of the country. At the end these officials of the "democracy"made all their misdeeds lying, bribing and hiding the reality of thefacts. The deputy of the opposition (Yves Montand) was killed in thatway. The attorney (Jean Louis Trintignant) investigating the casenoticed the incoherence and simplicity of the information given by theofficials, and for this reason the authorities tried unsuccessfully tobribe the attorney. This did not work, and the government finally wascompelled to adopt extreme measures abolishing the democratic freedom.Good film to reflect whether this is happening again. The acting wasexcellent from the part of Trintignant, Montand, Renato Salvatori,Marcel Bozzufi and Jacques Perrin, but Irene Papas was really weak, shehardly spoke in the film.

(2012-05-07 02:57)

Arguably the best political film ever made, and Costa-Gavras's best film...

Z is one of the best political films ever made, and in fact, may be the best political film ever made. It is the best film Costa-Gavras ever made, and while he's made some excellent films since (most notably Missing and State of Siege), this one tops them all. While most political films date immediately and become time capsules, Z avoids this trap. The film makes no bones about where its sympathies lie. The opening credits say that "any resemblance to persons living or dead isn't coincidental. It is intentional". Yves Montland is definitely a left wing politician. The generals are right wing. But Costa-Gavras wisely concentrates on the actual story and the detective work of the magistrate. He doesn't go into didatic, long winded political propaganda here. The film unfolds meticulously as a investigation would. The magistrate keeps going deeper and deeper into the case without a political axe to grind, which makes the conclusion of the film all the more devastating. The acting is first rate. Yves Montland as the deputy gives the character an innate sense of dignity. There are many famous French actors here, including Jacques Perrin (an occasional actor and famous producer), Irene Papas (who hardly says any dialogue but says so much with those eyes), Charles Denner (who was in Truffault's The Man Who Loved Women), Francois Perier (who was in Melville's Le Samourai), Marcel Bouzzuffi (who played one of most memorable bad guys in The French Connection), Bernard Fresson (who was in Polanski's underrated The Tenant and in the unjustly forgotten about French Connection II), and the great Renato Salvatori, who was so memorable in Visconti's Rocco and His Brothers. They are all superb here. Gavras masters cinema here. The direction is taut, suspenseful, and there are some really great chase scenes here. The best one is where the deputy, Yves Montland, is "hit", and a passerby jumps on the assailants' truck. It is still nervewracking to watch today. The film is told a lot in flashback and through recollections by witnesses, and it is absolutely riveting. The flashback structure is not a gimmick; it is essential to the film. The editing in Z is superb. Raoul Contard's cinemtography has a really grainy look, and he also uses hand held cameras very effectively, enhancing the realism of the film. The score by Mikis Theodorakis is wonderful, one of the most memorable scores in movie history. Even the English dubbed version of the film was pretty damn good. You should still see the French version, but the English dub is pretty awesome for a dub job. Usually they're abominable.Z is a masterful film, one that can be watched over and over again, and Gavras shows a complete mastery of cinematic technique here. It's one of the most memorable political films ever made, and it stands the test of time.

TheFiendsThatPlagueThee (2012-05-06 15:16)

Dense and fast moving political thriller

"Z" is a story of the assassination, the investigation andrepercussions of a politician in 1963. It is based on the book of thesame name, and though it doesn't mention Greece or Gregoris Lambrakis,refers to real life events."Z" is a really dense film in that a lot of action, emotion, dialog,ideology and intrigue are presented in a rapid pace so that the vieweris constantly bombarded by the whole effect of the film.The style of filming certainly seems to fit the type of film and itsstory very well and I found it quite interesting visually. The actingis passable, and the director has managed to handle the large numbersof characters well so that it doesn't get confusing.Overall, this was an interesting film and one worth watching. I don'tregret seeing it at all, though it isn't one that I am likely to watchrepeatedly.

Jack Gattanella (2012-05-03 15:55)

"He is Alive!"

Z is one of top crop of the truly incisive, daring and mostcinematically successful conspiracy/political thrillers. It is thisbecause of its attention, lucidly surprisingly given its oftennon-linear structure, to its plot filled with many strands and possibleloose ends, and because its director Costa-Gavras injects the story(told "deliberately" on true events, apparently from recent Greekhistory) with a taut, exciting and efficient post-modern aesthetic.There is very little time to breathe; one wonders if we might cry atthe end not simply because hope seems to be all but lost but because ofits breathless attitude and pacing. There's life here, and it's beingcrushed bit by bit.And, contrary to some criticism, it is not just some piece for liberalsor "socialist scum" as one IMDb reviewer wrote (half) jokingly. On thecontrary the story- an investigation into the assassination of aprominent figure of peace, the Deputy as he's called played by YvesMontand, and how a prosecutor (Perier) and a photo-journalist are theonly halfway decent and/or objective ones to sort out the bottom-to-topcorruption- is essentially about speaking truth to power in an unjustsociety. What power, perhaps, is part of the conundrum in this case.Even the top brass attorney general doesn't buy the ultimate sum of thefacts tallied by the prosecutor at the end, bringing to the bittersweet(more-so on bitter) end of the tale.Gavras' film is loaded with dialog and inquiry, scenes of tenseintimidation and harrowing and jerky inquiry, and the usual set-piecesof action and suspense for a work like this that relies on sometimesdocumentary approach. The latter of these isn't too frequent, but twoprominent sequences (a nasty fight in the back of a pivotal pick-uptruck, and a chase by car after a witness) are extraordinary infrenetic energy, cinematography and (strange and cool) music score. Theacting is also spot on, from the poker-faced prosecutor to the stalwartGeneral to the dedicated photo-journalist with sneaky tendencies (wedon't know for sure if he's legit at first sneaking on on Deputy'sgrieving widow), and all these fellows in between like a simplenon-partisan soccer fan witness, not to mention the deputy's widowherself.Everything just about clicks in Z, and most frightening of all, there'sstill a feeling of relevancy nearly 40 years later. It's not simply theconspiracy-plot stuff, as we've seen that either in crazier modes(Winter Kills) or in more ambitious Hollywood skewering and prodding(JFK). It's the direct-hit of how everything seems to seem fishy, fromthe government to the military to the police to just the common groceror barber, and all having to do with one political siding or another orsome gleaming on to power. It's in part a big product of its period-aside from being a true story cleverly without direct names and spokenin French instead of Greek it must have been really potent during therallies and riots in America and elsewhere in Europe- and in part justpurely amazing film-making that dazzles with its story and doesn't letup in keeping us attentive to the horrors at hand.

jminer (2012-05-02 22:02)

Pulsating, compelling and moral thriller

One of the all-time greats, without a doubt. Just as the regime of thecolonels in Greece, which is the real-life foundation of the story, was theprecursor to impudent right-wing government cover-ups, so this film is theprecursor of films like The Parallax View and All the President's Men. While Montand has the stature to play the assassinated political leader,Perrin the puppydog energy to ineffectually crack the conspiracy open, andTrintignant the cool to see justice effected, what really sets the filmapart is Costa-Gavras's re-telling of the central incident throughflashbacks, his canvassing of different versions given by witnesses, andabove all the incessantly building pace.

stamper (2012-05-01 09:27)

Maybe it's just because I am long-haired socialistic scum, but I liked this film

I think it is only honest to say that I was not quite sure what to make ofthis film in the beginning, because the first half of the film (or maybe abit more) is quite slow. This has a lot to do with the decade the film wasmade in (the 60's) but it has also a lot to do with the story, becauseeverything that is shown in this film (except maybe the scenes involving theDeputy's wife and the flashbacks she has of her husband) are needed get anending as powerful as the one we are presented with in theend.After the slow first half, the film gradually gets better and in the end thefilm is topped by it's brilliant ending, which makes the whole film aworthwhile experience. Also it is a chronicle of the overthrow of thedemocratic government in Greece. While this is not clearly and directlymentioned in the film itself, there are some clues. In the beginning of thefilm, there is a note from the people who made the film that anyresemblances to true persons and / or events were made on purpose and not byaccident. In what follows we see several signs on the wall saying ‘HELLAS'(Greek for Greece) and in the end on the typewriter we can see Greek symbolson the typewriter (not on the keys, but on the turning ball putting theletters on the paper). I was told that there were pictures of Greek royaltyin the film but I must have missed that. This means that this is not only agood film on how politics work, but it is also a historic piece of filmconcerning the overthrow of the government in Greece in the 60's (the samedecade as the film was made in).In the end there are three things I'd like to point out. First of all I am asocialist by upbringing and I have long hair, so anyone with a Nationalisticattitude can just blow my opinion away by saying I'm long-haired socialistscum. Second of all, opinions vary and although the first half of the filmwasn't too good, I am glad I sat through the whole movie, because in the endI was rewarded for doing so. Thirdly and lastly I want to mention that Iwatched this film in it's dubbed German version and therefore cannot makeany statements about the acting in this film. I can only say that the factthat the film was dubbed did not bother me (as it doessometimes).7,5 out of 10

(2012-05-01 00:07)

Unforgettable

"Any resemblance to real events, to persons living or dead, is not accidental. It is DELIBERATE." (Counter-disclaimer at the begining of the film)Won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Picture and an Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. Clearly for Americans political assassination was a compelling topic for a film to tackle in the late 1960s. _Z_ explores this phenomenon like no other I've ever seen. I haven't seen the movie in years, yet the experience has stayed with me. The film is largely based on a book that is about the murder of a popular leftish/liberal figure named Gregorios Lambrakis in Greece in 1963. Although the country depicted in the film is unnamed it is obvious where and who the story is about to those familiar with the history of the military dictatorship that ruled Greece during the 60s. As the "counter-disclaimer" makes perfectly explicit, it is the intention of acclaimed director Costa-Gavras for audiences to be aware of the reality behind the film. _Z_ offers much to ponder, confronting you with the fundamental problems any society which strives towards attaining a truly democratic culture must grapple with time and again. Sadly _Z_ shows the truth is not enough to set the people free in a world ruled by brute force. It was clear the government lied and a man was murdered for opposition to his government's unpopular, immoral policies. The script, the acting, the editing, the score--are all excellent. I'd put this on a short list of films you'd do well not to miss. It's a classic.

(2012-04-29 00:47)

One of the best...a classic

This movie features some of the best suspense and action (70s style) of any film in its genre. The acting is superb, the direction and cinematography outstanding, and the plot is both edgy and fun. It closely parallels a real world set of events in Greece, without turning them into Hollywood hype. Watch it and see what film-making was before formulaic revenue generation models drove every production decision.

Stephen-12 (2012-04-28 06:40)

Essential viewing

Every so often a film comes along whose cinematic quality is less importantthan the statement it makes about civilisation. 'Z' is such afilm.Chilling in its execution and its denouement, the film is a powerfulanti-totalitarian tract, showing the powerlessness of the forces of truthagainst an establishment which holds all the cards (but which nonethelessdisplays appalling incompetence in playing them). That the government inquestion is right-wing is not important - like Orwell's 1984, this filmopposes totalitarianism of all kinds.The script, direction and performances are good enough, but this is not afilm you see for entertainment. It should be shown to every governmentofficial in every country in the world, to remind them of the corruptinginfluence of absolute power (and, incidentally, it ought to be shown toevery journalist to remind them what investigative journalism is supposed tobe about).11 out of 10, were it possible.

gftbiloxi (2012-04-25 15:32)

Memorable Film In Newly Restored DVD Edition

Although it is seldom seen today, in 1970 Constantin Costa-Gavras' "Z"picked up both the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Pictureand an Academy Award as Best Foreign Film. In the wake of the John andRobert Kennedy and Martin Luther King assassinations of the 1960s andfueled by the later Watergate scandal, the film had tremendousresonance with American audiences, becoming one of the highest grossingforeign language films ever released in that market.Based on the novel by Vassilis Vassilikos, which was itself based onthe 1966 "Lambrakis Affair" in Greece, "Z" is at once a politicalthriller and satire. Set in an unnamed nation, it presents a politicianwho is strongly critical of American and Russian nuclear build up andhis nation's participation in it. Denounced by the status quo as acommunist, he is met with civic obstruction when he arrives to give aspeech and afterward is struck down and killed by a speeding truck inthe streets. A drunk driving accident, according to local officials. Anassassination, according to his entourage.Although the film has a somewhat slow and uncertain build, once fullyunderway it becomes a rapid-fire series of sharply edited scenes inwhich the sloppy assassination plot is unraveled by a dispassionatemagistrate sent to conduct an investigation--an investigation plaguedby assaults on witnesses and civic cover-up. But in such a corruptsociety, can the full truth ever be known? Director Costa-Gavras walksa very fine line here, presenting the characters as archetypes butendowing them yet endowing with enough human emotion to engage ourinterests and sympathies. And the cast is remarkable, with YvesMontond, Irene Papas, and Jean-Louis Trintignant particularly notable.The script is at once chilling and covertly comic, jeering atofficialdom around the corners of its more serious business, and theoverall look of the film--particularly in the violent crowd scenes--istruly memorable.The film has been restored to a pristine condition in its originalwidescreen and the DVD offers a number of language subtitles (includingEnglish) in easy-to-read yellow script. Bonus features are slight, butinclude the original trailer, samples of restoration work, and anextremely interesting conversation between novelist Vassilikos anddirector Costa-Gavras. Consta-Gravas also offers anaudio-commentary--in French, which will be frustrating for those who(like me) do not speak the language.Although some viewers may not even notice the satirical tone of thefilm, and while some will be put off by its distinctly liberal slant, Ithink most viewers--including those who don't normally care for foreignfilm--will find "Z" a fascinating ride, particularly if they enjoyedthe likes of JFK or THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE. Time may have dimmed theorigins of the piece, but sadly the subject of governmental corruptionand the mendacity of powerbrokers remains as timely as ever.Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer

writers_reign (2012-04-25 03:10)

Omega Man

Despite a truly atrocious print badly dubbed into English and one thatbroke down four times during the screening, returning each time minusseveral frames the power of the film-making shines through. I'm not apolitical animal and don't make a point of seeking out political filmsbut I am a great admirer of Yves Montand and although I was aware hewas on screen for only around 20 minutes I went anyway and it'sprobably fair to say that I went to see Montand and stayed to watch asocial comment masquerading as a thriller in which every major role waswell played with special mention for Jean-Louis Trintignant and avirtually unrecognizable (if you've only seen him in Cinema Paradiso orLes Choristes) Jacques Perier. I'd definitely buy this on DVD shouldone be made available.