Powerful, Angry, Defeating, and Thought Provoking. This film is filled with fury unlike any other film I have seen complimented with fast edits, gritty realistic cinematography, and lightning speed pacing with a lot of information thrown at the viewer. This film does demand investment but rewards it with a thought provoking look at power and the cost of protecting government. The acting is phenomenal in this as well filled with angry and passionate line delivery and memorable interactions rather than rich characters. This is a film that every person should see once. The subtitles can be a issue for some but still this is so powerful it can't help but leave an effect and leave you thinking long after the credits roll. An All Time Classic.

Outstanding... but very depressing,

We can't just look at the movie and evaluate it. Yves Montand and Irene Papas are starring but they don't seem to be there. Trignitant is always perfect. The movie is better at first, then it goes into a classic analysis. It's not a big movie. Disappointment for me.

In the modern day, the greatest weapon any group has to maintain their influence can't be found in any arsenal; it's the manipulation of information, and the ability to twist reality to fit a narrative. Before the modern day when we have access to so much information that many can't tell fact from fiction, it was possible to control what little was released to much the same effect. A classic political thriller that has aged well with time, as the dirty work of governments globally has in actual practice shifted from clandestine organizations with blank checkbooks, no fingerprints, and itchy trigger fingers to loose networks linked by tenuous connections and several degrees of separation, allowing hands to be washed easily. Z taps into a deeply-rooted fear - how can we confirm what we hear to be true, and can noble institutions actually withstand true tests of strength when action is required? In the end, anti-fascists still hang onto the naive belief that ideals have the opportunity to prevail over injustice; Costa-Gavras' film plays into that assumption, delivering a procedural investigation where logic and morality gradually cause a conspiracy to be undone, only for the ruling party to flex its metaphorical muscle by flipping the chessboard over when mate looks likely. It's composed brilliantly, investing much of its runtime into the development of its characters and the establishment of the investigation itself, before delivering a darkly comic twist ending that negates the sacrifices made to initiate change. Absolutely love the delivery of final punishments by Perrin's photojournalist, only to have his own read out by a different newscaster immediately afterward. Saddening, intense, and still as relevant today as it was in the turbulent geopolitical world of 1969. (4/5)

An enjoyable French Algerian film mimicking the rise of Greek fascists in the 60s. Thriller, action and dollops of black comedy thrown in for good measure, with a quick bit impactful ending. Worth a watch and a good version can be found on YouTube with multiple subtitle languages to choose from.

A powerful, nuanced, layered, thrilling and emotionally resonant criticism of fascism, extremism, radicalism, social disparities and political corruption, themes that are still relevant to this day. Its excellent performances, confident and expert direction, effective blend of action and drama, and engaging narrative help make this political thriller one of the best of its genre and a cinematic gem.

Perhaps more politically relevant today than when it was filmed and full of entertaining twists and turns, Z fully deserves its status as one of the most important films of all time. The film's soundtrack, by Greek composer Mikis Theodorakis, is also exceptional and worth listening to independently from the film.

Kamikaze filmmaking, lithe and fierce as a tiger.

Immediately I recognize the almost documentary-like feel of this movie. And I love it. So basically the head of this French military group sees civilians as plants that need to be sprayed once mildew grows on them. That's quite a metaphor to describe your people, almost dark. So crazy how the inside forces have people they can send out to cause fights and agitate people that are just trying to meet up for a meeting or protest. These are the agitators that start chaos and violence when all along there was peace and understanding. Throwing those photographers out of the middle of the action was like censoring the truth that really went on. It even seems like the police are in on it too, accomplices that were told not to do anything or not react. This s the kind of shit that needs to happen in our society. People need to investigate and find out the truth. Not what the media or the news says what happened, but what really happened based on facts. I like the journalist photographer character. See what he's doing is called journalism. Not the fake bullshit we see nowadays where the facts get twisted around. These are basically war crimes that have been committed within the country. Really fine acting. You can tell the actors care about the subject matter. This movie felt too real during some moments, it's almost scary. Holy shit this is probably the best political thriller I've ever seen. Very clever and brilliant social commentary on domestic corruption within the government system. It's also a metaphor for how much unnecessary money is spent on military and weapons and how dumbed ignorant and full of hate the civilians are who support it and agree with it. The same people who think we should continue fighting wars. Just goes to show that the easiest people to brainwash and get on your side are the dumb, ignorant blue collar working class type. They don't know any better and would do anything to live a better life. Just when I thought justice was served to all those high military officers in charge of the murder, they pull us back into reality. No trial because the prosecutor died along with the all the witnesses in what seemed to be "accidents". Of course, the high ranking officers get off scott-free and the civilian accomplices get sentences. And finally the magistrate, the guy who did all the questioning and detective work gets dismissed for all his work and gets loses his job. Extremely impactful and thought provoking movie. I'd give it 5 stars but I only give that amount to movies I'd watch again, this one I'm not sure if I'd watch again.

When it's threatened by a budding resistance movement, a visibly panicked military government begins pulling dirty tricks and punching below the belt. Chief among their concerns is an upcoming rally by the opposition, which is subsequently sabotaged and co-opted in a number of plausibly-deniable ways. Things get hairy when their agents go too far, killing the keynote speaker before a mob of protestors, and the ensuing cover-up attempts unravel under closer scrutiny. The story's real driving force is Trintignant, an examining magistrate, who enters the scene as a legal advisor to the establishment but grows more concerned and vigilant as his investigation uncovers such arrogant, clumsy, widespread corruption. Like he's gone out for a bit of gardening, turned over an innocuous stone and found it teeming with maggots. He's surprised, then diligent, then increasingly angry and vengeful, disregarding threats and commands from higher-ups as he pushes for lawful justice on an imbalanced playing field. The acting can be amateurish, the filming techniques low-budget and dated, the dialogue rapid to the point of exhaustion (keeping up with the subtitles is often a tall order), but in a way, many of those shortcomings actually lend validity and ground-level meaning to the film. This isn't a polished, dumbed-down, all-audiences interpretation of an idea; it's a raw, passionate cry of rage and indignant frustration. Its depiction of the means and methods a ruling class employs, to skirt its own rules and retain power without tipping its hand, is chilling in its clinical efficiency and all too relatable. Even the "happy ending" is soured by a reality-check epilogue that always felt inevitable. And this isn't just a hypothetical; Z has way too much in common with the Greek coup d'etat of a few years prior to be a mere coincidence. A stirring, rousing, crushing bit of intrigue that makes no bones about its message and still, maddeningly, resonates fifty years later. Some things, apparently, never really change.

I thought it hit you over the head with its message dulling any impact.

A milestone in true to life movie making.

rating in retrospect, can't recall when I did see it, but I recall it being compelling.

Very good political movie.

An absolute must see for these times.

taut, intense and has a powerful impact

This is a movie about Greece in the years preceding the coup d'etat of 1967 when pro-fascist military junta, known as "The dictatorship of the colonels", took over the government. The year is 1963 and senior police officers, with the help of the extreme right, organize murder of a leftist politician who was supposed to speak at a rally of anti-war movement, advocating nuclear disarmament and Greece leaving the NATO. The following investigation will further increase tensions in an unstoppable spiral of cover-ups, disillusionment, intimidation, rage, repression and resistance. The core of the Z's story is dramatization of political murder of the Grigoris Lambrakis, a member of the Greek parliament, left-wing politician, athlete and physician who fought against militarism and for nuclear disarmament. He was killed by right-wingers in the way described in the movie. His murder was followed by a huge public condemnation and popular rage. His funeral in Athens turned into a mass demonstration against right-wing government with the participation of over 500.000 people. The investigation led by Christos Sartzetakis revealed deep interconnection of the police and army with pro-fascist organizations. Sartzetakis become a symbol of integrity for the way he conducted the investigation, defied pressures and rejected cover-ups. After the military junta took over in 1967, he spent a year in a military prison. Since the murder of Lambrakis in 1963, through military junta of 1967 until the fall of the dictatorship in 1974, most popular graffiti in Greece was a big letter Z, short for Zi (He lives!), a slogan that summarized not only the protest against murder of Lambrakis, but the will to fight against the military dictatorship and opposition to the entire system established in 1949 after the defeat of the communists in the Greek Civil War (1946-1949). Based on actual events.

Absolutely chilling. At the end, seriously, as I sat stunned while the credits rolled by, I felt like curling up in the fetal position. It's a powerful, powerful film, based on the real-life 1963 assassination of anti-war activist Grigoris Lambrakis in Greece by right-wing thugs, who were sponsored by the military dictatorship in power at the time. With corruption going to the highest level of government, one using dirty tricks, intimidation, spying, attacks on the free press, assault, and murder, you might feel enraged while watching it, or powerless. Jean-Louis Trintignant turns in a great performance as the magistrate who looks into what is stated to be a drunk driving accident by the police. We feel the tension as he tries to uncover the truth, coming across disturbing facts. He has to withstand coercion from a General (Pierre Dux), but at the same time, beware that politics on the other side weren't somehow involved. We feel for so many characters here - one that comes forward as a witness, only to be attacked, the activists demonstrating against nuclear arms, who are beaten up by the police, and the magistrate himself, whose career is threatened unless he 'plays ball'. The bravery required is humbling. The film and its direction from Costa-Gavras feels very much a product of its time, and yet also modern, and timeless. In little moments he lightens the tone, such as when a series of officers all try to exit out the wrong door as they're led out of the courtroom. Even there, aside from the humor, one could see it as commentary on human folly, and how we repeat the same mistakes with a rotating cast of characters over time. The American support of the dictatorship is barely referenced, and yet we feel it there, heavy in the background, and it's shameful - so shameful that the film was accused of being 'Anti-American' in politically charged 1969. It's so ironic that in defending against the evils of communism, governments often employ the very same totalitarian, heavy-handed tactics against their citizens. They're so busy generating propaganda and demonizing the enemy that they don't notice that they've started becoming like the enemy. It's not unlike decrying the cruelty of extremists in our own time, and then turning around and authorizing torture. What it really means is to be wary of anyone in power, for some will go to any lengths to hold on to it. I think of the quote "That which can be destroyed by the truth, should be," and thank goodness for films like this, which simply tell the truth, even if it is a punch in the gut.

With it’s modesty, Z is telling the truths in a majestic way. No politically correct, crystal clear story telling - cinematography - editing all around. nearly perfect thriller to experience.

An exceptional political thriller. Costa-Gavras directs masterfully, and the film's editing by Francoise Bonnot tells the story so effectively that even today, almost 50 years after its release, it looks more original and innovative than the majority of contemporary movies. A basic knowledge of what happened in Greece during the 60s is welcome but not required to enjoy this movie, as it works also as a separate story. I caught myself thinking of Z a few nights ago, when I watched the excellent Detroit by K. Bigelow. That particular film would benefit greatly from the tight and concise narration of Z, which keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout. Very sadly, Costa Gavras has made a few more good movies over the years, but no other work of his can compare to this visual and nearly flawless masterpiece. Francoise Bonnot won the Academy Award for editing in 1969. She was never given the opportunity to film another fast-paced thriller, and although her other work includes highlights such as Missing, Frida and the Tempest, she never gave us another masterpiece like Z. An absolute must-watch.