Sword of Gideon (2-disc) [DVD] Import - Steven Bauer and Michael York.

The DVDMy review of the film is further down. As for the DVD itself, the picture quality is perfect, the sound is perfect, certainly better than what would have been on VHS back in the 1980's. I am only endorsing here the DVD bought from "czech.out" whom I bought my version from. These guys exceed all expectations and the packaging just blew me away. We are talking about something akin to gift wrapping and delivery was just a couple of days from the other side of Europe. You get extras too which are a nice surprise and very welcoming, they made me smile, and again very unexpected. Sellers like "czech.out" are rare and it's nice to be able to use the Amazon review option to give due praise for once instead of whining about something. I just can't fault the service I received from these guys.The FilmOK, so Steven Spielberg gave the same story a big budget Hollywood blockbuster treatment, but when I saw Munich a few years ago I remembered this Sword Of Gideon. I remembered the exact title too and we are easily talking about 20 years having passed since I saw it. The impression the Sword Of Gideon left on me is very much the same today, it's just so real and in your face. You feel you are there with the characters and the film catches the awkwardness felt by the group of specialists when tasked to carry out their duties. You see the bravado and then you get to see the reality. Spielberg's Munich has none of this, instead you think you are watching a film about a group of Elite killers who eat terrorists like we eat Cornflakes, it's just so very removed from the qualities of Sword Of Gideon. Munich is good, there is no doubt about this but Sword Of Gideon takes the story to a completely different level. With Sword of Gideon I guarantee your jaw will drop and the pace is plenty fast enough, much faster than the Spielberg drag of Munich.Some people Sword Of Gideon is dated but this is comparing Hollywood glitzy digital output used by Spielberg with the CELLULOID FILM of the 1980's!!!! If anything, Sword Of Gideon actually captures the colours of the time much better and adds to the feel of being there. Being filmed about 10 years after the events will help here. Munich makes early 1970's Europe look like today, it certainly is not attention to detail.The acting in Sword Of Gideon is excellent, some real stand out performances and as for deaths of everybody in Sword Of Gideon, half are very very shocking and realistic and leave a very long impression on the mind. This is from the TV version. This film here is the UNCUT version and sorry, Munich is a joke in comparison with it's James Bond theatricals and it's God Bless America undertone when it's supposed to really be about the Israeli Secret Service.

Brilliant just as I remember first seeing it in Modern Studies in 1990. As mentioned it is much better than Munich as nobody actually seems to win.Well worth watching and buying. One of my favourites and the violence is realistic not Hollywood based so can be watched by all the family.Good history lesson material.

I have just read George Jonas (controversial) book Vengeance on which this film is based. Although the film follows the story line of the book quite closely it is interesting to see what has been left out and what has been altered. In particular, the central figure "Avner" has some serious problems in his dealings with Mossad. Although he and his group fulfilled the mission given them by Mossad the final treatment he received at their hands was pretty shabby. This is only hinted at in the movie.The book also shows an interesting division in Isreali society between the Sabra (Israeli born jews) and Galicianer jews (emigrants from the old Austro-Hungarian empire who fled the pogroms and those who fled the Nazis). Avner clearly resents the fact that so many elements of Israeli public life, including Mossad, are under the control and influence of Galicianers. Again none of this is dealt with in the film although it is a major component of the story as told by George Jonas.Another crucial element from the book has been modified (or should I say sanitised) for the movie. That is the organisation known as Le Group. Viewers are presented with a simplified version of the vital part played by Le Group in the mission. This is understandable. However, it is worth noting that, whilst in the movie Avner makes contact with this organisation through a connection given by his father who previously worked for Mossad, in the book Avner makes contact with Le Group through an old German friend from his school days in Frankfurt. This friend is a member of the Baader Meinhof gang. Le Group are quite happy to lend their services to any organisation willing to pay and if Jonas' book is to be believed they certainly made money out of helping European urban terrorists in the 1970's.That being said, the movie a well made and very enjoyable espionage thriller and the basic story is there but if you want to know what really happened get the book.

Sword of Gideon is just what i wanted.This movie is much better than Munich.The Holy Land hat a right to exist and Israel to defend herself.An Eye for an Eye!

great movie, but clearly counterfiet quality picture

What an awesome film great acting, great directing. No swearing,no blasphemeing and no storyline of adultery.This shows great films can be made with standards.Please can we have more like this?

A better film take and more to the real story about Israeli agents going after the killers/organizations who carried out the 1972 Munich massacre.

This was the first version of a film based on the book "Vengeance" about the Israeli response to the Munich Olympic Massacre. Obviously, it was made again as "Munich" starring Eric Bana and directed by Steven Spielberg - and it's an interesting to compare the two. Both books stick fairly close to the source material, and both have their strengths and weaknesses. This film could do with some tighter editing, especially in the last 45 minutes or so which seem to taper out rather than build to a climax. Munich misjudges its climax horrendously with it's cross cutting of the Israeli athletes being killed with Eric Bana having an orgasm, so neither film covers itself in glory in its final act. I think the problem that both films have is that they have a fascinating story told in quite a meandering style and both could possibly have benefitted from being tighter and shorter.

Great portrayal of a real event.

I had seen it years ago and I was really happy to get a copy. It's a movie that always stayed in my mind. Watched it and quality is really good. Thank you.

Strong Heart of Israel 💓🕊️

Outstanding movie, better than the Spielberg remake, I loved Micheal York's performance.

I love this movie from the moment I saw it, which was years ago, but movies like this one never get old. It's a shame that there is only DVD. It should be available in high def.