September 5: Austin Film Festival Review

Tragic and historical events can have a lasting effect on those witnessing them, but we often only have our own perspective. In my lifetime, I can still remember where I was as the twin towers came down on September 11, 2001. In the years that followed, books and films emerged to show what happened and how people experienced it differently. Though I wasn’t alive in 1972 when the Munich Olympics were scarred by the attack on Israeli athletes, I’ve seen and heard the story. September 5 offers another look into what happened on that day—though it’s told in a way you’ve likely never seen.

In a control room near the Olympic Village, Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard) is overseeing the broadcast of American swimmer Mark Spitz winning one of his seven gold medals that year. The day’s broadcast concludes, and a new crew, led by Geoffrey Mason (John Magaro), is set to take command of the control room. What starts as a typical night quickly changes course when gunfire is heard, and reports of an attack start circulating. Geoffrey wakes Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), who quickly begins working the phones to gather information on the unfolding situation. Although this is ABC’s sports division, they are all professionals and know how to handle breaking news. As the story rapidly unfolds, they are aided by Marianne Gebhardt (Leonie Benesch), who translates German and together must take on this difficult and confusing task.

Written by Moritz Binder, Alex David, and Tim Fehlbaum—who also directs—September 5 delivers a gripping, play-by-play retelling in a no-nonsense style. Fehlbaum and the writers avoid the politics surrounding the attack, focusing instead on the ABC Sports team and their mission. This choice emphasizes the tense atmosphere, making the audience feel like they’re right there in the room. September 5 isn’t just an account of that day from one point of view; it also comments on the media’s responsibility to prioritize accuracy over speed.

September 5 is an often heart-pounding portrayal of that day in 1972—both electrifying and haunting. Even knowing the tragic outcome, the film remains suspenseful, as we experience the story through characters trying to do their jobs while understanding what’s at stake. The cast is excellent, with Magaro encapsulating the situation’s gravity, and Benesch, who acts as the intermediary between the Americans and Germans, is a stand out. September 5 reminds us of journalism’s critical role and, with its unique perspective confined to the control room, as it shows the urgency and complexity of delivering accurate information in the wake of terror. Though you may know where this story ends, the conclusion still delivers a powerful gut punch and a reminder of unique ways a tragic event can be viewed.