Munich – A Movie Not to See
Once our Rabbi was giving a talk on the Ten Commandments, when a person in the congregation angrily interrupted the Rabbi’s speech saying, “You’re wrong, the movie showed it differently.” This story comes to mind when I reviewed the Spielberg movie Munich. In this recent film, “The fiction,” says Spielberg, “comes in the interpersonal relationships of the five members of the ex-Mossad team. I was very careful,” he says, “to start the movie inspired by real events, because until the secret files are opened up nobody would actually know who did what.” (As quoted in the Time Magazine, December 12, 2005 exclusive report.)
In my estimation Spielberg is saying that the story of Munich has inspired an historical fiction. And come to think of it he’s right, this story is false and misleading. The so-called Jewish assassins are really not the James Bond type. They are portrayed as having a guilt complex for tracking down PLO murderers. This is preposterous, as James Bond never had a conscience.
In Israel, the PLO is recognized for what it is; a cold-blooded group of Jew haters. They are not only interested in destroying the Jewish state. They would like to continue Hitler’s nightmarish plan of the "Final Solution," where the world would be rid of all Jews. Review the records of years of random bombing and general mayhem all through the worldwide countries. The victims are Jews whether affiliated with Israel or not.
Spielberg gives the supposed Arab killers the time to justify their murdering eleven innocent Israeli Olympians. The terrorist claims this is the way to bring peace to the region. What’s incredible is the film’s portrayal of the Jewish assassin listening and somewhat agreeing with the Arab’s sentiments.
If the film’s objective was to quell terror in the Mid-East then the film has failed. After viewing such a film we may even think that the Arabs have a justification in continuing attacks and bombings of innocent women and children and complete families all in the name of establishing a free homeland.
No matter how many remake movies, costing hundreds of millions of dollars, showing King Kong in his pursuit for a date we must remember this: Gorillas don’t fall in love with humans. It makes no difference if they are blond or beautiful or just smart. A gorilla remains a gorilla and a PLO murderer remains a PLO cold-blooded murderer.
I can't figure out what was the message of the Munich film was anyway. It is surely lost in its portrayal and dialogue. What should be remembered is the haphazard manner in which the German government handled the affair. In 1972 the hostage taking and killings caused many questions that remained unanswered. Simple ones like, where were the German’s police security at that time? Why didn’t the hostage deal go through? After all the negotiations the time needed to implement the plans was not given. Who started the shooting that ultimately led to the killing of the Israeli hostages?
If the movie dealt with that I would have no problem. But instead to equate a group of Munich killers as liberators for their land – Freedom Fighters - is an insult to the living and the dead. What we are left with is a justification for indiscreet murder in the name of Arab determination and guilty Israelis.
I say there is more truth in a movie like Jaws and Jurassic Park than in this film. This film has caused more damage to the state of Israel than a clear-cut anti-Zionist film. The retired former Mossad chief Zvi Zamir questions the films credibility. Also retired Israeli diplomat David Kimchi, a former Mossad agent, said, “I find it repulsive to even try to condone the actions of Black September terrorists… No amount of painting them in a human way can make any difference.”
Last but not least Spielberg said that this movie is a prayer for peace. I think he should stick to making good movies and leave the prayers to others.