Is “September 5” a True Story? Inside the Shocking Olympic Terrorist Attack that Inspired the Oscar Contender — and the Decision to Put It On Air

**The Tragedy of September 5: The Real Story Behind the Olympic Attack Portrayed in a Movie**

The Munich Olympics of 1972 were supposed to symbolize peace, but they quickly turned into a nightmare when the Black September Organization (BSO) launched a deadly attack that shocked the world. This harrowing event serves as the inspiration for the Oscar-nominated thriller, ‘September 5’, which delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists covering the unfolding tragedy.

Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, ‘September 5′ follows the ABC Sports team led by Roone Arledge (portrayed by Peter Sarsgaard) as they grapple with the decision of how much of the violence to broadcast live. The BSO’s demand for the release of over 300 imprisoned Palestinians led to the deaths of 11 Israeli athletes, with the terrorists eventually being killed by German police.

ABC Sports’ decision to cover the attack live proved to be historic, as sportscaster Jim McKay announced the tragic news to the world. The film highlights the team’s bravery in reporting on the unfolding crisis, showcasing a group of sports journalists stepping into the realm of hard news reporting for the first time.

The Black September Organization, a Palestinian militant group, was at the center of the 1972 Munich Olympics attack. Founded in 1970, the group carried out acts of terrorism in pursuit of political goals, culminating in the tragic events of September 5. The attack on the Israeli athletes resonated globally and exposed the vulnerability of major sporting events to acts of terror.

The characters in ‘September 5’ are based on real people who faced the terrifying ordeal during the Munich Olympics. Roone Arledge, the central figure in the film, played a pivotal role in the coverage of the attack, demonstrating exceptional leadership under extreme circumstances. His decision to provide detailed coverage of the tragedy set a new standard for televised journalism.

Geoffrey Mason, portrayed by John Magaro, was another key player in the ABC Sports team during the 1972 attack. As the head of the TV control room, Mason was instrumental in making crucial decisions about what to broadcast, ensuring that the world witnessed the unfolding drama in real-time.

The Munich Olympics attack, which inspired ‘September 5’, was a watershed moment in the history of televised news coverage. The live broadcast of the events marked a turning point in journalism, showcasing the power of television to bring global events into people’s living rooms. Despite the tragedy and loss, the courageous reporting of the ABC Sports team set a new benchmark for media coverage of crises.

In conclusion, ‘September 5’ offers a compelling dramatization of a dark chapter in Olympic history, shedding light on the bravery and ethical dilemmas faced by journalists reporting on a crisis of unprecedented scale. The film serves as a reminder of the power of journalism to inform and educate, even in the face of unimaginable tragedy.