Black Sunday is a 1977 movie directed by John Frankenheimer.
WHAT HAPPENS?
A terrorist group attempts to blow up a blimp hovering over the Super Bowl.
ONE LINE REVIEW
Black Sunday is a distinctly original, sophisticated thriller.
THE ACTORS
Marthe Keller plays Dahlia, the mastermind of the Black September terrorist group that plots to set off a bomb during the Super Bowl. Her Dahlia is a fascinating character – she’s a cold-blooded killer obsessed with executing her deadly mission. Yet, she also exhibits a motherly touch towards the emotionally broken Lander, played by Bruce Dern. Dern is excellent as the former POW Lander – he’s essentially bipolar. He possesses a charm and feeble confidence before splintering into a sobbing mess.
THE DIRECTOR
The scope of what Frankenheimer pulled off in Black Sunday is phenomenal. The movie’s narrative and acting are impressively natural and efficient. When we see violent exchanges between terrorists and their victims, there’s no lengthy, clever dialogue or gratuitous torture – the Black September group is driven to complete its mission. The remarkable feat sees Frankenheimer filming amongst the mass of Super Bowl X. The real players, coaches and fans comprising the event are a backdrop to the movie’s terror plot. The game adds an element of realism and danger that is difficult to match.
THE BEST – Whiny Bruce Dern
Dern emotionally breaks down like few other actors. His psychologically broken pilot reacts to Dahlia’s rejection of him by summoning his ex-wife and kids. It’s an intense flood of emotion that forces the audience to either empathize or disengage from his volatile character.
THE BEST Part 2 – Kabakov Walking in Front of Pat Summerall’s Shot
It is bewildering to see actual NFL game footage in a movie – let alone one with such a controversial topic. Tom Landry and the Steel Curtain are extras in a movie featuring international terrorism and brutal murders. Could you even imagine a similar scenario today?
THE BEST Part 3 – Michael Gazzo
Any movie that includes Frankie Pentangeli is a good one. His scene with Robert Shaw’s Kabakov shoving a gun in his mouth is intense. Shaw also delivers the movie’s coldest line at Gazzo’s expense: “Blink for yes or die for no.”
THE BEST Part 4 – Dahlia the Nun
Keller is terrific at blending into her surroundings. Her nondescript nun is moments away from killing Kabakov – only to turn her vengeance on Steven Keats’ Moshevsky in an elevator.
THE BEST Part 5 – An Exploding Helicopter
Nothing more needs to be said here.
THE WORST – Roger Staubach Sucks
It’s obvious why the Cowboys lost Super Bowl X. In just the few moments of live game play featured in the movie, Staubach throws two interceptions.
THE WORST Part 2 – Blimp Action
For nearly two hours, Black Sunday retains a tense, dramatic grip on the audience thanks mainly to its realism. Yet, as Shaw sprawls out on the loaded blimp, the tone shifts and the movie staggers to an odd finish.
FOX FORCE FIVE RATING – 4.5/5
Black Sunday is a solid terrorism thriller, featuring a terrific cast of actors and a staggering amount of realism – given the Super Bowl setting.
I remember not thinking much of this movie. Interesting through your eyes though
I think you have to be more of a football fan. It’s just that there’s no way the NFL allows a filmmaker that kind of access today – especially in a movie about international terrorism. Beyond that, it’s just a smart 70’s thriller and the leads are really good.