September 5: The true story behind the Oscar-nominated film about the 1972 Olympics
The Oscar-nominated thriller September 5 is based on the real-life events from the 1972 Munich Olympics, where Palestinian fighters from the Black September Organization (BSO) took 11 Israeli athletes hostage.
The Black September Organization, a militant group founded in 1970, attempted to secure the release of over 300 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. The group killed two athletes immediately and held the remaining nine as hostages. After a failed rescue attempt by German police, the BSO executed all the hostages, with five of the eight fighters later being killed.
The film focuses on the role of ABC Sports, led by Roone Arledge (played by Peter Sarsgaard), in covering the attack live. As events unfolded, sportscaster Jim McKay famously announced, "They're all gone."
Arledge's decision to air the coverage in real-time marked a turning point in the channel's history, with ABC winning 29 Emmy Awards for its reporting.
September 5 also follows the network's behind-the-scenes struggles, including the ethical dilemma of broadcasting the developments during a global sporting event. The real Geoffrey Mason, played by John Magaro, was head of the control room during the crisis, helping secure access for ABC journalists inside the Olympic Village.
Fifty years since, the attack remains one of the most prominent moments in Olympic history, and Germany officially apologised to the victims' families in 2022.
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