New Movies: September 5 (2024) by Tim Fehlbaum
- dailyentertainment95
- May 10
- 8 min read
September 5 (2024) by Tim Fehlbaum: A Tense, Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Munich Massacre
Tim Fehlbaum's September 5 (also known as September 5: The Day Terror Went Live) is a gripping historical drama thriller that plunges audiences into the chaotic world of American sports broadcasting during the harrowing 1972 Munich Olympic Games. The film, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, shifts the focus from the terror itself to the unprecedented challenge faced by the ABC Sports crew as they scrambled to cover the unfolding hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt28082769/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/september-5 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/september-5 (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/september-5 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/september-5 (Italy), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/septiembre-5 (Spain)
Detailed Summary
Set during the seemingly celebratory atmosphere of the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich, September 5 centers on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) Sports crew. What begins as routine coverage of athletic triumphs, including Mark Spitz's historic swimming gold, quickly devolves into a desperate scramble for information and an ethical minefield.
The film meticulously recreates the ABC control room, a pressurized environment where seasoned professionals like Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), the ambitious president of ABC Sports, and his head of operations, Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), are forced to make split-second decisions. When the Palestinian terrorist group Black September infiltrates the Olympic Village and takes Israeli athletes hostage, the sports broadcasters, aided by their German translator Marianne Gebhardt (Leonie Benesch), find themselves thrust into the unthinkable: live coverage of a developing terrorist attack.
September 5 is a real-time, procedural thriller that showcases the ingenuity, resourcefulness, and moral dilemmas faced by the news crew. As negotiations falter and the crisis intensifies, the film explores the ethical tightrope walked by journalists—the pressure to deliver breaking news to a global audience (estimated at 900 million at the time) while grappling with the potential consequences of their broadcast on the lives at stake. The tension within the control room escalates as they realize the terrorists are watching their coverage, complicating police efforts and raising questions about media responsibility. The film uses a blend of dramatic recreation and extensive archival footage from ABC's original broadcast, creating an immersive and historically accurate depiction of this pivotal moment in broadcast journalism history. It culminates in the tragic realization that all the hostages were murdered during a botched rescue attempt, forcing the crew to deliver the devastating truth live on air.
Plot Summary
During the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American sports broadcasting team for ABC suddenly finds itself covering the unfolding hostage crisis involving Israeli athletes taken by Black September terrorists. Trapped in their control room, the crew navigates ethical dilemmas and intense pressure to report the unprecedented events live, grappling with the impact of their broadcast and the tragic reality of the siege.
Director's Vision
Tim Fehlbaum, also a co-writer of the screenplay, aimed to create a taut, real-time thriller that puts the audience directly into the confined, high-stakes environment of the ABC control room. His vision was to present the events from a unique perspective, focusing on the largely untold story of the broadcasters and the journalistic challenges they faced. Fehlbaum deliberately chose to focus on the "how" of the coverage rather than the "why" of the conflict, avoiding a broader political analysis of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in favor of a tight, procedural narrative. He meticulously researched the events, even creating an authentic replica of the 1972 broadcasting facility, and seamlessly integrated original archival footage to enhance the film's realism and period feel. Fehlbaum sought to explore the themes of ethical journalism, the nature of live media, and the human toll on those reporting on a major tragedy.
Themes
Journalistic Ethics and Responsibility: The core theme, exploring the moral compromises and decisions made by journalists under immense pressure, and the potential impact of their coverage on unfolding events.
The Power of Live Television: Highlighting the then-nascent power of real-time global broadcasting and its ability to shape public perception and influence events.
Pressure and Chaos: The film viscerally conveys the intense stress, limited information, and chaotic decision-making environment of a breaking news situation.
Human Fallibility in Crisis: Showing the vulnerabilities, biases, and differing motivations of the individuals responsible for reporting on a tragedy.
The Nature of News: A deconstruction of how news is made, particularly in a pre-internet era, emphasizing the technical challenges and the human element.
Historical Trauma and Identity: Briefly touches upon Germany's post-WWII efforts to project a new image and how the massacre shattered that aspiration.
Key Success Factors
Unique Perspective: Offers a fresh and unexplored angle on a well-known historical event, focusing on the media's role rather than the direct perpetrators or victims.
Intense, Real-Time Narrative: The film's procedural nature and focus on the control room create a palpable sense of suspense and urgency.
Strong Ensemble Cast: Led by powerful performances from Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro, Ben Chaplin, and Leonie Benesch, who convincingly portray the stress and ethical dilemmas of their characters.
Historical Authenticity: Meticulous recreation of the 1970s broadcast environment and seamless integration of archival footage contribute significantly to its realism.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Buzz: Received highly positive reviews and numerous nominations for its screenplay, editing, and overall picture at major awards, including the Academy Awards and Golden Globes.
Cast
Peter Sarsgaard as Roone Arledge (President of ABC Sports)
John Magaro as Geoffrey Mason (Head of the control room in Munich)
Ben Chaplin as Marvin Bader (Head of operations at ABC Sports)
Leonie Benesch as Marianne Gebhardt (German translator for the crew)
Benjamin Walker as Peter Jennings
Zinedine Soualem as Jacques Lesgards
Georgina Rich as Gladys Deist
Corey Johnson as Hank Hanson
Awards and Nominations
September 5 has received significant recognition and nominations:
Nominated: Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay (Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, and Alex David)
Nominated: Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama
Won: Independent Spirit Award for Best Editing (Hansjörg Weißbrich)
Won: San Diego Film Critics Society Awards for Best Ensemble and Best Editing
Won: Los Angeles Film Critics Association Award for Best Editing
Won: AARP Movies for Grownups Award for Best Supporting Actor (Peter Sarsgaard)
Nominated: Critics Choice Awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Editing
Nominated: Producers Guild Awards for Best Theatrical Motion Picture
And numerous other nominations from various film critics associations for Best Film, Best Editing, and Best Screenplay.
Critics Reception
September 5 garnered overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, who praised its unique perspective and tense execution.
Rotten Tomatoes: Holds a 93% "Certified Fresh" rating based on 184 critics, with an average rating of 7.7/10. The consensus reads: "Capturing the compromises, dedication, and human fallibility of the newsroom, September 5 is a worthy chronicle of a tragic flashpoint in broadcast media history."
Metacritic: Scored 76 out of 100 based on 38 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews."
The New York Times: Called it "a serious movie unburdened by self-seriousness, its own and that of the profession it explores with cool, analytic dispassion."
The Hollywood Reporter: Described it as "nail-biting docudrama."
Variety: Praised it as a "riveting procedural."
Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics lauded September 5 as a gripping, intelligent, and meticulously researched historical thriller. They highlighted its claustrophobic atmosphere, compelling performances, and its insightful examination of journalistic ethics under pressure, while commending its seamless integration of archival footage.
Reviews
Audience reviews have generally been positive, reflecting critical sentiment. Viewers found the film to be incredibly tense and absorbing, even for those familiar with the historical events. The focus on the "behind-the-scenes" aspect resonated strongly, making them appreciate the complexities of live news reporting. Some viewers, however, noted that the film's narrow focus on the broadcast perspective meant it didn't delve deeply into the broader political context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which was a deliberate choice by the filmmakers.
Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate that September 5 is a compelling and well-crafted film that successfully captures the tension and ethical dilemmas of its subject matter, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.
Box Office
September 5 had a limited theatrical release in the United States on December 13, 2024, expanding wider on January 17, 2025. It also had international releases, including in Germany on January 9, 2025.
As of late February 2025, the film had grossed approximately $2.45 million in the US and Canada. Global box office figures are still being compiled, but as an independent historical drama, its success is also measured by critical acclaim and awards recognition.
Production
Director: Tim Fehlbaum
Writers: Moritz Binder, Tim Fehlbaum, Alex David
Producers: Philipp Trauer, Thomas Wöbke, Tim Fehlbaum, Sean Penn, John Ira Palmer, John Wildermuth
Cinematography: Markus Förderer
Editor: Hansjörg Weißbrich
Music by: Lorenz Dangel
Production Companies: BerghausWöbke Filmproduktion, Projected Picture Works, Constantin Film, Edgar Reitz Filmproduktion
Distributed by: Paramount Pictures (US), Republic Pictures (International), Constantin Film (Germany and Austria)
Production Country: Germany
Language: English, German, Hebrew
Running Time: 94 minutes
Filming Locations: Primarily Germany (replicating the Munich Olympic facilities and broadcast studios).
Sales Companies
Paramount Pictures (US Sales and Distribution)
Republic Pictures (International Sales and Distribution)
Constantin Film (Germany and Austria Distribution)
Distribution Companies
Paramount Pictures (United States)
Republic Pictures (International)
Constantin Film (Germany and Austria)
Release Date on Streaming
September 5 was released digitally on February 4, 2025, followed by a Blu-ray release on February 18, 2025. It is available on major VOD platforms.
Theatrical Release
September 5 had its World Premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival on August 29, 2024, as the opening film of the Orizzonti Extra section.
US Theatrical Release:
Limited Release: December 13, 2024
Wide Release: January 17, 2025
German Theatrical Release: January 9, 2025
Why to Recommend This Movie
Historically Insightful: Provides a compelling and rarely explored perspective on a pivotal moment in modern history.
Exquisitely Tense: Masterfully builds suspense within a confined space, making for a gripping watch.
Superb Acting: Features a strong ensemble cast, with Peter Sarsgaard's performance being particularly praised.
Ethically Provocative: Raises important questions about media responsibility, the role of journalism, and the impact of live coverage on unfolding events.
Awards Caliber: Recognized by major awards bodies for its writing and editing, signaling its high quality.
Why to Watch Movie
For History Buffs: If you are interested in historical events and their broader impact, particularly on media and journalism.
If You Enjoy Thrillers: Despite being a historical drama, it functions as a very effective and tense thriller.
To See Great Ensemble Acting: Witness a cast working cohesively to portray a chaotic and high-pressure environment.
For a Behind-the-Scenes Look: Offers a fascinating glimpse into early 1970s broadcast technology and newsroom operations.
What Movie Trend Film is Following
September 5 aligns with the trend of "Historical Dramas Based on True Events," particularly those that focus on a specific, often overlooked, angle of a well-known event (e.g., Apollo 13, Argo). It also follows the growing trend of "Procedural Thrillers" set in real-time or with a strong sense of immediacy. The film's exploration of journalistic ethics resonates with the broader trend of "Media Criticism" within cinema.
What Big Social Trend is Following
The film speaks to the enduring social trend of "Media Scrutiny and Responsibility," prompting questions about the role of news in shaping public opinion and influencing real-world events, especially in an era of increasing media saturation. It also touches upon themes of "Crisis Communication" and the human element of decision-making under extreme pressure, relevant to contemporary global challenges.
Final Verdict
Tim Fehlbaum's September 5 is a remarkably effective and deeply compelling historical thriller that transcends its specific historical context to offer profound insights into the nature of journalism and the human response to crisis. With its meticulously recreated setting, the seamless blend of archival footage and dramatic tension, and a powerhouse ensemble cast, the film provides a unique and unsettling perspective on the Munich massacre. It's not just a recreation of events, but a thoughtful exploration of the ethical tightrope walked by those who bring news to the world. For anyone interested in a gripping, intelligent, and historically significant cinematic experience, September 5 is a must-watch.
Recommendations for Filmmakers
Focus on Untapped Perspectives: Demonstrate how even well-known historical events can yield fresh, compelling narratives by focusing on lesser-known angles or specific viewpoints.
Master Confined Space Tension: Showcase how a film can create immense suspense and drama primarily within a single, confined setting, through character interaction and escalating stakes.
Integrate Archival Material Thoughtfully: Illustrate how historical footage can be seamlessly woven into a fictional narrative to enhance realism and emotional impact without feeling jarring.
Recommendations for Movie Industry
Invest in Niche Historical Dramas: Support films that explore specific, compelling moments in history, as they can offer unique insights and strong critical appeal.
Recognize Craft Excellence: Highlight films that demonstrate exceptional technical prowess in areas like editing, production design, and sound, which are crucial for immersive storytelling.
Promote Ethical Discourse: Encourage the production of films that tackle complex ethical dilemmas, particularly those related to media, technology, and societal responsibility.
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