Z [VHS]
by Costa-Gavras
![Z [VHS]](/images/Z-VHS-1572521163-L.jpg)
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VHS Tape Cover Information
Actor: Charles Denner, Irene Papas, Jacques Perrin, Jean-Louis Trintignant, Yves MontandDirector: Costa-Gavras
Producer: Jacques Perrin
Writer: Costa-Gavras
Producer: Ahmed Rachedi
Producer: Eric Schlumberger
Producer: Philippe d'Argila
Writer: Jorge Sempr?n
Writer: Vasilis Vasilikos
Edition: VHS Tape
Audio: English (Subtitled); French (Original Language), Analog
Format: Color, Letterboxed, NTSC, Original recording reissued, Original recording remastered, Widescreen
Running Time: 127 minutes
Release Date: 1997-11-11
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Publisher: Fox Lorber
Studio: Fox Lorber
VHS Movie Reviews of Z [VHS]
Movie Review: "He is alive"
Summary: 5 Stars
The problem with revolutionary pieces of political cinema is that in retrospect they can appear dated and simplistic when compared to the more sophisticated films that follow them. Costa-Gavras' influential political thriller does suffer from that problem a little at times, but if diminished it is still powerful and effective stuff.
Dealing with the assassination of Montand's charismatic political opponent of a regime that is run by the military in all but name (unidentified in the film, it is clearly Greece under the colonels - among the list of things banned by the movie's regime is 'la musique populaire (M. Theodorakis)'. The film's composer was actually under house arrest at the time). The first half of the film covers his arrival and the events leading up to his death at a sabotaged political rally, the second following two parallel investigations into the hows and whys, that of Jean-Louis Trintignant's honest Attorney and co-producer Jacques Perrin's photo-journalist.
The film is dialogue heavy (with the honourable exception of Irene Papas, who, as in Zorba the Greek, remains almost mute throughout) and lacks the more effective investigative construction of Missing. It works against the film that we know what has happened - and more importantly, how - so early, since the result of Trintignant's investigation seems a foregone conclusion. It would perhaps have been much more effective if we had seen the various participants very different accounts of events first to draw our own conclusions alongside his.
Characterisation is also a sporadic weak point: while those on the sides of the angels all give good performances, only the charismatic Yves Montand seems to be a person we can care about rather than a political or moral position while the military figures are too clearly set up just to be knocked down and veer towards the comic book. Yet it retains an urgency and outrage that ensures that it still commands the attention. If not the masterpiece it was hailed as on its first appearance, it's certainly an excellent film and remains an important landmark in political cinema.
Criterion's impressive DVD transfer is a big step up from the standards conversion release Koch Lorber put out a few years ago, though it sadly loses Costa-Gavras' audio commentary from that version, replacing it with on from Peter Cowie, but it goes some to compensating by including new interviews with Costa-Gavras and Raoul Coutard as well as archive interviews with Costa-Gavras, Jacques Perrin, Pierre Dux, Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jean-Louis Trintignant and Vassilis Vassilikos), the original theatrical trailer and a booklet.
Summary of Z [VHS]
Costa-Gavras's Z, winner of the 1970 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, is a classic political thriller, combining intrigue with raw emotional power. The story turns on the investigation of the assassination of a left-wing Greek politician (Yves Montand), and his government's attempts to cover up the murky circumstances. Montand receives death threats as he prepares to give a speech condemning the government, and is then run down in front of numerous witnesses. Jean-Louis Trintignant (The Conformist) plays the judge assigned to the investigation, who gradually discovers how far the state will go to rid itself of political opposition. As he is warned off the case by his superiors, the judge becomes even more determined to discover the truth, no matter where it might lead. Costa-Gavras (Missing, Mad City) is in familiar territory here, but no one handles this type of material better. Z is a classic of political intrigue and social consciousness. --Robert LaneArt House & International VHS Video
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