MUNICH (2005) 4 stars out of 4. Starring Eric Bana and Daniel Craig. Screenplay by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Rated R.

        On its surface, Munich appears to be a political thriller — a story of revenge and retribution.

        The canvas created by director Steven Spielberg and his screenwriters, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tony Kushner and Eric Roth, also covers the moral ambiguity of state-sanctioned murder and whether or not men lose their souls doing what they think is right to protect their families and their nation.

        The story is set against the aftermath of the murder of 11 Israeli athletes during the 1972 Olympics in Munich. It centers on a team of Israelis, set up by the government, but working outside the authorities, ostensibly on their own, to track down and kill the 11 Palestinians believed responsible for initiating and financing the massacre.

        The five-man squad travels around Europe tracking down their targets and eliminating them. Ultimately, the mental and moral toll on the quintet mount as they take more chances and subsequently go from hunter to hunted.

        As he does so well, Spielberg blends action and humanity. You feel sympathy for these men. They are not cold-blooded killers, but patriots doing what they believe is necessary to preserve their nation.

        And, Spielberg, Kushner and Roth also create understanding and appreciation for the Palestinian position. These are not one-dimensional, mad killers, as portrayed in so many movies. These are men with wives and children, men who believe what they are dolng is just as necessary as they Israeli counterparts.

        The Israelis are led by Avner Kauffman, a former bodyguard to Prime Minister Golda Meir. He is recruited for the job because he looks so ordinary. Meir endorses this secret war against the massacre's perpetrators, explaining that, "Every civilzation finds it necessary to negotiate compromises with its own values."

        As Kauffman, Eric Bana (The Hulk, Troy) is a reluctant hero. He accepts the mission, because he believes it is necessary.

        Spielberg has created some wonderful action sequences that blend beautifully with more personal scenes. It is his most mature movie to date.

        Munich should not be taken as fact. A disclaimer at the opening says, "Inspired by true events."
This is not a documentary, but a feature that leaves you questioning the validity of the actions — from both sides.

        This powerful thriller — at about two hours and 40 minutes — is not afraid to show the human toll and heartache caused by the brutality of this undeclared war that continues to this day.

        Bob Bloom is the film critic and DVD reviewer at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette, Ind. He can be reached by e-mail at bbloom@journalandcourier.com or at bob@bloomink.com. Bloom's reviews also can be found at the Journal and Courier Web site: www.jconline.com
Other reviews by Bloom can be found at the Rottentomatoes Web site: www.rottentomatoes.com or at the Internet Movie Database Web site: www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom