Z (1969) Movie Overview

Z is a 1969 French language political thriller directed by Costa Gavras, with a screenplay by Gavras and Jorge Semprún, based on the 1966 novel of the same name by Vassilis Vassilikos. The film presents a thinly fictionalized account of the events surrounding the assassination of democratic Greek politician Gregoris Lambrakis in 1963. With its satirical view of Greek politics, its dark sense of humor, and its chilling ending, the film captures the sense of outrage about the military dictatorship that ruled Greece at the time of its making. Z stars Jean-Louis Trintignant as the investigating magistrate (an analogue of Christos Sartzetakis, who years later was appointed President of Greece by democratically-elected parliamentarians). International stars Yves Montand and Irene Papas also appear, but despite their star billing have very little screen time compared to the other principals. Jacques Perrin, who co-produced, plays a key role. The film’s title refers to the popular Greek protest slogan “Ζει”, meaning “he (Lambrakis) lives”. The location of the action is never expressly stated (filming took place primarily in Algiers), but there are hints (such as a Greek typewriter, and… Source

Z Movie Details
Director: Costa-Gavras
Country: France , Algeria
Run Time: 127 min
Genre: Crime , Drama , History , Mystery , Thriller

Z Movie Overview – Yahoo Movies

Z (1969): A left-wing, pro-peace political candidate in an unnamed country (suggesting Greece) is assassinated, leaving his deputies and an ambitious young magistrate to uncover a trail of conspiracy that leads to the highest-ranks of the ruling right-wing government. Source

Z Movie Review from New York Times

Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made, exposing government hypocrisy and cover-up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei (Yves Montand) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event, he is attacked outside the auditorium by a group of right-wing extremists w… Source

Apple Movies Z Movie Details from Imdb

Costa-Gavras chronicles the overthrow of the democratic government in Greece. When a liberal politician is murdered in an attack during a peace demonstration, the right wing established figures in the military and the police try and hide not only their parts in it, but try to cover up the murder as well. The magistrate must act as a detective in or… Source

Z (1969) Movie Overview

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