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Created Dec 31, 2011 09:21AM PST • Edited Dec 31, 2011 09:21AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Very Good 3.5

   Revenge stories are sweet. Sword of Gideon is a made for HBO movie that chronicles Mossad-led payback time for the 1972 Olympics massacre terrorists. Lesser known and less flashy than the movie ‘Munich’ (released in 2005) it is no less taught of a thriller. However, this is nearly a 3 hour movie that goes in to much more detail, delving deeper in to how intelligence was sourced from “the Group”, and how revenge was taken even on new enemies as they went along, and much more about Avner’s (the team leader) personal life. What was very interesting for me was just how ‘public’ their efforts were. Other intelligence agencies seemingly knew exactly what they were up to, and they not only had to find the terrorists, but thwart enemies searching for them at every turn. Finally, this movie explores more about what happens after: how the Mossad never truly lets you retire. How real peace once you have committed is hard to come by.

4. Acting

   Very Good 3.5

   Steven Bauer was pretty darn good as the conflicted Avner – strong, but emotional at the same time. My other acting kudos goes to Rod Steiger – the Mossad manager that kept Avner around by his short-hairs. Nothing but good things to say about the rest of the cast, including the recognizable Michael York.

5. Male Stars Very Good 3.5

6. Female Stars Very Good 3.5

7. Female Costars Very Good 3.5

8. Male Costars Very Good 3.5

10. Film

    Very Good 3.5

    For the length, Gideon does a great job of holding your interest.

11. Direction Very Good 3.5

12. Play Very Good 3.5

13. Music Very Good 3.5

14. Visuals Very Good 3.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 2.3

    In older movies like this, the graphic nature of the violence is a bit more muted – but it definitely is not hidden!

17. Sex Titillating 2.3

18. Violence Fierce 2.3

19. Rudeness Salty 2.3

21. Reality

    Glib 1.1

    Unfortunately, this stuff really happened.

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.1

23. Biological Glib 1.1

24. Physical Glib 1.1