‘5. September’: How ABC Sports covered the tragedy at the 1972 Munich Olympics

Mason and company don’t expect a busy day – an interview with Spitz and sports highlights are on the agenda. There’s nothing a novice producer can’t handle.

As we know, the events of this title date told a different story. On September 5, 1972a Palestinian militant group called Black September invaded the Olympic Village and took nine members of the Israeli Olympic team hostage after killing two others. The tragic event ended with further deaths of the nine hostages, a West German police officer and five members of Black September.

By virtue of being the network set up closest to the Olympic Village, ABC Sports was able to cover the hostage situation live as it happened. Director Tim Fehlbaum and his cowriters, Moritz Binder and Alex David, focus entirely on the dedicated crew members and the decisions they make about what to show on TV. It is not just a matter of journalistic ethics; it’s also a question of how to shoot footage from inside the Olympic Village and how to smuggle in the 16mm film required to get it.

A big mistake occurs when ABC realizes that Black September is watching television in the room with the hostages. The live broadcast gives them information about what the police and the West German government are planning. It’s a hard lesson for the team to learn.

Throughout the film we know as much as ABC does and no more. Filled with scenes of process, it is as exciting as any thriller.

The film places us in the era of the big three networks (early 70s) all of which had to lease satellite airtime. A tense argument develops between Arledge and CBS; the network requires satellite bump ABC because it’s their hour. ABC pushes back – what if something big happens and they can’t report it? It is just one of the minor dramas that unfold.

In addition to documenting the events as they happen, “September 5” serves as a technological time capsule of what was available back in 1972. For example, the police lockdown of the village is broken repeatedly by a crew member played by Daniel Adeosun, who loses rolls of film to his body to get past security. Dressed as a member of the USA team, he goes undetected.

Mason also devises clever ways to get giant camera equipment aimed at the village to capture exterior shots. We also discover that Peter Jennings (Benjamin Walker) is being tapped on the audio feed live via a rotary phone in the newsroom connected to a microphone.

Fehlbaum doesn’t let his cast get lost amid all this technology. Magaro is excellent as the new kid on the block who takes big chances because he doesn’t fear the consequences of his actions. Chaplin is the stinging voice of reason that every office needs, and Sarsgaard is an incomparable force who uses the power of his position to move obstacles.

Benesch has the most memorable character to play. As a German, she is somewhat out of place in this group of American men. Her ascension from mere translator to full member of the crew makes her the only character to have a full story arc.

Although the actors give very good performances, the MVP of “September 5” is editor Hansjörg Weißbrich, who seamlessly edits real archive footage with convincing recreations. The real Jim McKay talks to the fictional Jennings, and there are other scenes where we can’t tell what has been made up.

“September 5th” does not deal with the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which can be seen as a mistake. In 95 minutes, there is certainly not enough time to address such a complicated issue. By sticking with the ABC Sports team and the footage they had, the film achieves its mission of documenting the events from the perspective of those who first reported the news.

★★★

SEPTEMBER 5

Directed by Tim Fehlbaum. Written by Fehlbaum, Moritz Binder and Alex David. Starring John Magaro, Peter Sarsgaard, Ben Chaplin, Leonie Benesch, Daniel Adeosun, Benjamin Walker. At AMC Boston Common, Suburbs. 95 minutes. R (swear word)

Odie Henderson is the Boston Globe’s film critic.