With Pontecorvo's Battle of Algiers, Z is one of the greatest political films ever made. I saw it in 1969 in the theater. Electrifying and in the light of subsequent events, prophetic. In Costa-Gavras' telling, C.R.O.C. (Christian Royalists Opposing Communism), the well organized oppressive force behind the junta, wins out in the end.
The score is wonderfully exciting too.
The assassination of Grigoris Lambrakis (Yves Montand) shocks a community, and leaves a photojournalist and an investigator to try to put the puzzle pieces together. The tense thriller uses rapid editing by Françoise Bonnot and pulsating music by Mikis Theodorakis to tell the story of political intrigue and corruption.
Streaming now on TCM.https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/z-19 ... e%20affair.
It is no more about Greece than "The Battle of Algiers" was about Algeria. It is a film of our time. It is about how even moral victories are corrupted. It will make you weep and will make you angry. It will tear your guts out.