This movie is an account of the infamous assassination of a team of 11 Israeli athletes at the hands of Palestinian terrorists in 1972. Out on Universal, this Steven Spielberg saga is as near to reality as one can get- portraying both the Israeli as well as the Palestinian side of the story neutrally. Steven Spielberg has wisely chosen to not support a group or faction in this movie (contrary to other popular ‘terrorism’ based movies); rather, he has successfully brought out the consequences that can be caused due to unabated hatred and political turmoil in a region. The story line is quite organic and neutral and becomes really difficult for the end user to decide which side is right or wrong in the end.

Eric Banta is portrayed as a Mossad agent, who had to leave his pregnant wife for an unknown mission. He is portrayed as being on a panel of five agents which the then Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir had appointed to seek revenge and kill all those responsible for the gruesome attack.

The movie begins with the assassination of the team and then Avner’s (Eric Banta’s role) character realizing the validity of the actions he was supposed to do. The agents appointed by Mossad are kept in constant denial of the actual reasons for their actions and they are just asked to follow orders lamely, which leads Avner to reconsider his stand and loyalty towards Israel in general and Mossad in particular.

So what is it that actually makes this movie stand apart? Is it the story line? Is it the casting? Actually, apart from casting and a great story line, the real reason as to why the movie is a great watch is that it brings out the humane side of both the terrorists as well as the Israeli agents.