Comments on: Munich, the movie

By: Ben F

Ben F — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 02:29:19 +0000

Contrary to my first comment here, I did see Munich, because a friend wanted to see it. Although it was an interesting character study, and (I am told) accurately depicts post-traumatic stress syndrome, the politics of the film were worse than I could have imagined.

Near the beginning, we see PM Golda Meir saying that the Palestinian Arab terrorists must be inhuman animals, and should be put down. The film then sets about to refute the notion that the assassination targets are inhuman animals.

On the other hand, when the film shows Palestinians arguing that the Jews have left them no choice but to act as they do, the movie offers no rebuttal whatsoever. That is because the Israelis are presented as attempting the impossible: to wage war in a moral manner in order to hold onto a “home” that they stole from the Palestinians.

The only racist in the film is a Jew, who declares that the only blood he cares about is Jewish blood. “Palestinian” claims that their hatred of Israelis is a response to Israeli oppression go unchallenged.

The events of the movie take place in 1972-73. At that time, the PLO made no pretense of seeking a state alongside Israel; its goal was to obliterate the Jewish state. The film never makes this clear, just as it never really relates the Jewish attachment to this particular land.

By: Somewhere on A1A...

Somewhere on A1A... — Fri, 23 Dec 2005 18:12:05 +0000

Munich

Spielberg’s work of art, Munich, is out this week. I won’t be paying to see it. The reviews have convinced me this is in no way a factual account, which is a pity. I would pay to see a documentary…

By: The Doctor

The Doctor — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 14:17:09 +0000

As a long-time reader of our local paper’s movie reviews, I have learned never to trust anyone else’s opinions on a film [he and I always are 180 degrees apart]. I may or may not see “Munich” but you can bet the decision will NOT be based on whether someone on the far side of the Internet didn’t like it…

By: Tony

Tony — Wed, 21 Dec 2005 09:32:25 +0000

Spielberg has done a lot for Jews, Holocaust survivors and preserving the memory of those who died “al kiddush Hashem”. It’s terrificly sad that “Munich” may turn out to be a whimpering moral-equivalence apologia for Jew-hating terrorists (from reports so far), but this project only shows that the man has feet of clay.

I realise that a mensch’s failures are all the more disappointing, but he still deserves respect for his past works.

As for me, I’ll read more reviews and, if they confirm the above conclusion, then I won’t be going to see it. As I read elsewhere, “Munich” really stands for appeasement.

By: Meryl Yourish

Meryl Yourish — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 22:01:18 +0000

Translation: “We do not want to lose Spielberg’s and Hollywood’s donations.”

By: Cynic

Cynic — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 21:43:16 +0000

So how does Foxman's view of the film cut? Foxman: Spielberg's 'Munich' treats Israel fairly

"We do not think this is an attack on Israel. We do not think this is a film of moral equivalency," Foxman told a group of journalists.

By: Laurence Simon

Laurence Simon — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 14:58:10 +0000

I consider “Explorers” to be a crime against humanity.

By: The Doctor

The Doctor — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 14:21:57 +0000

Cut us all a break. What does Barbara Streisand have to do with it? Spielberg grew up in an Orthodox home, which also doesn’t mean anything about his Jewish education. If you don’t know his background, don’t make it up.

Either you like the film or you don’t. And not liking the film does not make Spielberg shallow or incapable, any more than Schindler’s List made him Moschiah Incarnate. Lighten up, people!

By: akiva eisenberg

akiva eisenberg — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 13:13:58 +0000

What do you expect from somebody whose Jewish education came via Barbara Streisand.

By: Ben F

Ben F — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 13:11:37 +0000

I went to see The Passion of The Christ mostly because I wanted to have an informed opinion of it. And I'm glad I did. On Munich, my sentiments are with you. Not interested. Apparently much is made in the film of the innocent waiter that the Israelis killed. But all of the murdered Israelis were innocents, and bringing justice to their murderers saved countless other lives. In war, non-combatants are killed, and the PLO was (and still is) at war with Israel. Moreover, the film is false history, based on a discredited book. In other words, propaganda. Who needs it?