Wow! Such a good movie.

Absolutely brilliant

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

Your blood may run cold, but you now find yourself pinioned to the story.

"Black Sunday" is a political terror film based on a novel of the same title by Thomas Harris. Harris said his book was inspired by the massacre at the 1972 Olympics in Munich. The Palestinian terrorist group, Black September, kidnapped and killed 11 Israeli athletes in that event. Anyone who watched TV coverage of the event will never forget it. In this film, a dishonored Viet Nam veteran sets out to commit suicide by taking many lives with him. He contacts the Black September group, which helps him commandeer a Goodyear Blimp to fly and explode over the Orange Bowl during the 1977 Super Bowl game. Everyone knows the plot from the pilots, trailers and buildup. But the thrill and excitement are in seeing the story unfold. It's a common "catastrophe" thriller that keeps one on the edge of his or her seat. The suspense, action and superb camera work make this a very good and entertaining, if somewhat dark, action film.

For years down to this day since seeing Black Sunday in the theater I've always watched major sporting events with this film in mind. That's the kind of thoughts that director John Frankenheimer plants in your mind with a viewing of Black Sunday.Black September the Palestinian terrorist organization of the day and the ones responsible for the slaughter of Israeli Olympic athletes in Munich have something special in mind for America at one of our major sporting events. Israeli intelligence Mosad learns of it and the guy who learned of it is dispatched to the USA to stop it.Robert Shaw is the agent that is sent and he gives a carefully controlled performance of an Israeli assassin. The kind you send out after Arab assassins. Shaw is quiet and deadly and most effective in his acting.The other side is represented by Marthe Keller and note that she's not a traditional Moslem woman in her style of living. Nonetheless both she and Shaw have suffered immense personal tragedies which has brought them to their respective positions. Keller has found a former Navy Pilot who was a Vietnam POW Bruce Dern who is more than slightly unhinged. After a court-martial he's bitter against the USA and wants to commit an atrocity and he has a very specific atrocity in mind. All three of the leads acquit themselves well in their roles. But the real star is the special effects and an ending that for the last half hour will have you on the edge of your seats.I predict your reaction to Black Sunday will be the same as mine. You will never watch a major sporting event without this film in the back of your mind.

The story is about an Israeli intelligence agent who is trying to stop a terrorist plot by Black September to blow up the Super Bowl using a Goodyear blimp.The good parts. Solid performances by Bruce Dern and Robert Shaw as the protagonists of this movie. Some exciting action scenes for 1976 (they'd be rather boring today) and nice to see they used real locations and props (today that would all be done with CGI and it would look really, really fake.) Also very nice the way there were unflinching in showing the violence. When people get shot and killed, they show it, unapologetically.The weaker parts. Shaw trying to effect an Israeli accent.Also, the plot drags as they have to show us every part of the plot and the attempts to foil it. The movie drags on for 2 1/2 hours and feels longer.The silliest parts- The explosions of a police helicopter and the Goodyear Blimp itself.

My all-time favorite thriller! Magnificently mounted by director John Frankenheimer. An excellent cast, sharp script and pitch-perfect cinematography all work together to make this one of the best thrillers on film.Even with everything else in its favor, the highlight is John Williams' score. It's tense, terse and tightly written. This was the score Williams did just before "Star Wars," so John was definitely in the zone!The real-life terrorism we have been confronted by very much underscores this film. Regardless, this film is as thrilling as it was when it was released.********** (10 Out of 10 Stars)