1972 MUNICH OLYMPICS, THE: BUD GREENSPAN REMEMBERS (TV)
Summary
This documentary presents several of famed Olympic filmmaker Bud Greenspan's remembrances of the 1972 Munich Games. The story is told via archival footage and modern-day interviews with participants, while using Greenspan's live radio reports from 1972 as a backdrop. The opening situates the Munich Games in the world as it was in 1972, explaining the proliferation of radicals and terrorist groups popping up around the globe. The then-I.O.C. director Monique Berlioux explains how Munich acquired the Games, and the "new Germany" that tried to distance itself from the Nazi regime of the past. Walter Troeger, the mayor of the Olympic Village, talks about how the village was arranged as a place of harmony and unity. Dick Ebersol, then-director of ABC Sports, discusses how the Germans faced up to their Nazi past as well as Israel's presence at the Games. Early on in the Games, the cocky American swimmer Mark Spitz became a "matinee idol" when he won an immortal seven golds. The other stories early on focused on the "Aussie Elizabeth Taylor," swimmer Shane Gould, and the daring debut of gymnast Olga Korbut. For Greenspan, the "most dramatic event" of the opening week was American Dave Wottle's huge upset in the 800-meter dash. Next, Greenspan's original live report from 1972 recaps the surprise attack by the Palestinian terrorist cell known as Black September and the ensuing Israeli hostage situation. Dramatizations show how the Black September group was able to penetrate the Olympic Village, enter the #31 dormitory, and take eleven Israelis hostage. Clips show then-Israeli prime minister Golda Meir's ultimatum to the German government for the safe rescue of her countrymen. Alex Gilady, the deputy team leader of the Israeli Broadcasting Authority, talks about the problems that erupted due to the German police's ineptitude, which lead to the deaths of all eleven persons. Clips are shown from the next day's memorial service in the Olympic Stadium. Gerald Seymour, an ITN reporter, and others reflect on whether indeed the Games should have gone on in the way they did. The program ends with a brief tribute, showing the names and faces of the eleven Israeli athletes, coaches, and officials that perished in Munich.
Details
- NETWORK: Showtime
- DATE: September 5, 2002 10:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 1:29:31
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: T:82767
- GENRE: Public affairs/documentaries; Sports
- SUBJECT HEADING: Olympic Games, 1972, Summer, Munich; Olympics; Sports
- SERIES RUN: Showtime - TV, 2002
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Nancy Beffa … Executive Producer
- Sydney Thayer … Coordinating Producer
- Bruce Beffa … Senior Producer
- Bud Greenspan … Producer, Director, Writer
- Dave Bickford … Associate Producer
- Buena H. Guzman … Associate Producer
- Eric Hamilton … Associate Producer
- Charlene Sakoda … Associate Producer
- Lee Holdridge … Music by
- Peter Wetzler … Music by
- Will Lyman … Narrator
- Monique Berlioux
- Dick Ebersol
- Alex Gilady
- Shane Gould
- Bud Greenspan
- Olga Korbut
- Golda Meir
- Gerald Seymour
- Mark Spitz
- Walter Troeger
- Dave Wottle