Z

PG

Released Dec 8, 1969

2h 7m

Mystery & Thriller

List

94%

51 Reviews

Tomatometer

93%

5,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Repression is the rule of the day in this film that skewers Greek governance of the 1960s. Z (Yves Montand), a leftist rabble rouser, is killed in what appears to be a traffic accident. But given the political climate, the death of such a prominent activist raises troubling questions. Though it's too late to save Z's life, a postmortem examination suggests that the ruling party was behind his death. As the facts leak out, those who tell the truth pay the price for their honesty.

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Critics Consensus

Powerfully effective, this anti-fascist political thriller stands out as both high-conscience melodrama and high-tempo action movie.

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Pauline Kael

New Yorker

Z is a hell of an exciting movie, and it carries you along, though when it's over and you've caught your breath you know perfectly well that its techniques of excitation could as easily be used by a smart Fascist filmmaker, if there was one.

Jul 6, 2022

Full Review

Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

It is a great film for many reasons, not the least of which is that it can be enjoyed as a political thriller as well as a political statement.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 18, 2013

Full Review

Hank Sartin

Time Out

Rated: 4/5

Nov 18, 2011

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Jeremy Carr

Vague Visages

Costa-Gavras wasn’t holding back with his 1969 masterpiece Z, opening with a bold declaration, a printed statement reading: “Any similarity to persons or events is deliberate.”

Nov 15, 2023

Full Review

Wael Khairy

The Cinephile Fix

It is such a shame that a film that holds up with so much relevancy is not not as widely discussed today as it was back when it was first released. “Z” should be essential viewing to every governmental official in every country around the world.

Sep 28, 2022

Full Review

Larry Zolf

Maclean's Magazine

It is a fast-paced, relentless action thriller and a political allegory that both underlines and transcends the modern Greek tragedy of Junta fascism. As political satire, Z is the kind of film that only hurts you when you laugh.

Jun 15, 2022

Full Review

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red t

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Outstanding... but very depressing,

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/16/23

Full Review

William L

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)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

07/31/21

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

lucca b

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.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

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Costa-Gavras

Director

Yves Montand

The deputy

Irene Papas

Helene, the deputy's wife

Jean-Louis Trintignant

The examining magistrate

Jacques Perrin

Photojournalist

Charles Denner

Manuel

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Synopsis

Repression is the rule of the day in this film that skewers Greek governance of the 1960s. Z (Yves Montand), a leftist rabble rouser, is killed in what appears to be a traffic accident. But given the political climate, the death of such a prominent activist raises troubling questions. Though it's too late to save Z's life, a postmortem examination suggests that the ruling party was behind his death. As the facts leak out, those who tell the truth pay the price for their honesty.

Director: Costa-Gavras
Screenwriter: Vassilis Vassilikos, Jorge Semprún, Costa-Gavras
Distributor: Cinema V
Production Co: Valoria Films, Reggane Films, KG Productions, Galatée Films
Rating: PG
Genre: Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 8, 1969, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 2009
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 7, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $83.3K
Runtime: 2h 7m
Sound Mix: Mono
Aspect Ratio: 35mm

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