Day 172: "Black September does not scare. Kill or be killed, that is their way."

Made in 1977, Black Sunday is a spy film from a more innocent era.  This movies was made when terrorist attacks were a freak occurrence, when an attack on America was unthinkable.  Black Sunday is an unflinching look at the preparations for, and attempted government prevention of, a planned mass terrorist attack on American soil.  Very straightforward in its delivery and a bit dry in places, Black Sunday is a well made, tense spy thriller.  A Palestinian terror group calling themselves "Black September" is planning an attack on U.S. soil to "share" the sense of loss and suffering that that people is going through, having their homeland stolen from them by the Israelis.  They want the U.S. to stop delivering aid to Israel, and this attack is intended to be their message.  The leader is using an American ex-POW, who, because of his incarceration, is very vulnerable and susceptible to her suggestions.  Israeli commandos are in cooperation (read: observing) the Americans' hunt for the terrorists, and from there the story heads to its inevitable climax.  I have to say, I've never before almost issued a spoiler alert for a poster.

Robert Shaw (Quint from Jaws) stars as the Israeli Major hunting down the terror cell.  This guy is a great actor, but is completely unconvincing attempting an Israeli accent.  His quiet kind of tough works well, but is spoiled when he opens his mouth to speak.  Bruce Dern, stretching his acting chops here (not) as the psychotic, unhinged U.S. pilot was up to his usual par.  Honestly I wasn't blown away by the rest of the cast, as they seemed to be more window dressing than actual roles.

Not a bad spy thriller, but there are much better out there.  Black Sunday rolls along until its showpiece finale, then just gets silly.  I was expecting a bit better here, but I could have done a whole lot worse.  6.75/10.

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!