The True Tale Behind “September 5”: Terror Meets Television at the Munich Olympics
So, let’s talk about 1972, a year when the Munich Olympics were supposed to shine as Germany’s rebound from their not-so-great past. Instead, it turned into a grim reminder of the fight for Palestine—a tale so wild, it’s now the inspiration behind the Oscar-nominated film “September 5.” Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, this flick doesn’t just reel you in with the spectacle of sports. No, it slaps you with the sobering reality of a hostage crisis brought on by the notorious Black September Organization (BSO).
Picture this: Israeli athletes settled in for the games, living the Olympic dream when a group of BSO militants barged into the Olympic Village. Their mission? Take 11 Israeli athletes hostage to leverage for the release of over 300 Palestinian prisoners. While this sounds like something out of a blockbuster thriller, it’s heartbreakingly real. The BSO started by killing two athletes, and eventually, all nine other hostages were murdered following a botched rescue attempt by German police. If that doesn’t make you cringe, I don’t know what will.
Let’s not forget to mention how the U.S. sports media handled the situation. The ABC Sports team, led by Roone Arledge (played by Peter Sarsgaard in the movie), found themselves in the spotlight, forced to decide whether to broadcast the unfolding horror live. Spoiler alert: they went full throttle and aired the bloody drama, marking a pivotal moment where sports journalism collided head-on with hard news. Jim McKay’s tragic announcement at 3:24 a.m. that “They’re all gone” still echoes in the annals of broadcasting history.
The BSO’s roots trace back to the 1970 Black September conflict—a violent clash between Jordan and Palestinian political factions. By 1973, the BSO had fizzled out, but not before leaving a scar on international relations and the Olympic legacy. Their hunger for vengeance overshadowed what was originally a celebration of unity and peace. So, as you watch “September 5,” remember it’s more than just a gripping drama; it’s a reflection of a horrific chapter in history that we shouldn’t overlook.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, NPR, Brookings
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
