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{{For|the police novel|Gideon's Wrath}}
{{inline|date=December 2018}}
{{no footnotes|date=December 2018}}
{{Infobox television
{{Infobox television
⚫
| caption =
| show_name = Sword of Gideon
⚫
| genre = Action<br>Drama<br>Thriller
⚫
| caption =
⚫
| image = Sword of Gideon FilmPoster.jpeg
⚫
| genre = Action<br>Drama<br>Thriller
⚫
| director = [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]]
⚫
| image = Sword of Gideon FilmPoster.jpeg
⚫
| executive_producer = [[Denis Héroux]]<br>[[John Kemeny (film producer)|John Kemeny]]<br>[[Robert Lantos]]
⚫
| director = [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]]
⚫
| producer = [[George Jonas]]
⚫
| executive_producer = Denis Héroux<br>John Kemeny<br>Robert Lantos
| based_on = {{Based on|''[[Vengeance (Jonas book)|Vengeance]]''|George Jonas}}
⚫
| producer = [[George Jonas]]
| writer = George Jonas (novel)<br>Chris Bryant
| screenplay = Chris Bryant
| starring =[[Steven Bauer]]<br>[[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]]<br>[[Robert Joy]]<br>[[Laurent Malet]]<br>[[Peter Dvorsky (actor)|Peter Dvorsky]]<br>[[Rod Steiger]]<br>[[Lino Ventura]]<br>[[Colleen Dewhurst]]<br>[[Leslie Hope]]<br>[[John Hirsch]]<br>[[Cyrielle Clair]]<br>[[Linda Griffiths]]<br>[[Daniel Alfie]]<br>[[Hrant Alianak]]<br>[[Sonia Benezra]]
| starring = [[Steven Bauer]]<br>[[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]]<br>[[Robert Joy]]<br>[[Laurent Malet]]<br>Peter Dvorsky<br>[[Rod Steiger]]<br>[[Lino Ventura]]<br>[[Colleen Dewhurst]]<br>[[Leslie Hope]]<br>[[John Hirsch]]<br>[[Cyrielle Clair]]<br>[[Linda Griffiths]]<br>Daniel Alfie<br>[[Hrant Alianak]]<br>[[Sonia Benezra]]
| location =
| location =
| music = [[Georges Delerue]]
| music = [[Georges Delerue]]
| cinematography = Claude Agostini
| cinematography = Claude Agostini
| editor = Ron Wisman
| editor = Ron Wisman
| company = [[HBO Pictures]]
| company = [[HBO Pictures]]
| distributor = [[HBO]]<br>[[Entertainment One]]
| network = [[CTV Television Network|CTV]]<br>[[HBO]]
| released = {{Start date|1986|11|29}}
| network = HBO
⚫
| runtime = 173 min.
| picture_format = Color
⚫
| country = Canada
| audio_format = [[Stereophonic sound|Stereo]]
⚫
| language = English
| released = November 29, 1986
⚫
| budget =
⚫
| runtime = 173 min.
⚫
| country = Canada
⚫
| language = English
⚫
| budget =
| gross =
| followed_by =
}}
}}
'''''Sword of Gideon''''' is a 1986 Canadian [[television film]] about [[Mossad]] agents hunting down terrorists associated with the 1972 [[Munich massacre]]. It was first shown on the [[CTV Television Network]] in Canada as a four-hour miniseries and later on [[HBO]] in the United States. Directed by [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]] and written by [[Chris Bryant (writer)|Chris Bryant]], the film stars [[Steven Bauer]] and [[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]]. The film is based on the book ''[[Vengeance (Jonas book)|Vengeance]]'' by [[George Jonas]], an account of the incident which has been criticized by some intelligence personnel as fictional, though because of its covert nature is difficult to prove or disprove. In some countries the book was titled ''Vengeance: Sword of Gideon'', from which the movie title is drawn. The story was retold in the 2005 film ''[[Munich (film)|Munich]]'' by [[Steven Spielberg]].
'''''Sword of Gideon''''' is a 1986 Canadian [[television film]] about [[Mossad]] agents hunting down terrorists associated with the 1972 [[Munich massacre]]. It was first shown on the [[CTV Television Network]] in Canada as a four-hour miniseries and later on [[HBO]] in the United States. Directed by [[Michael Anderson (director)|Michael Anderson]] and written by [[Chris Bryant (writer)|Chris Bryant]], the film stars [[Steven Bauer]] and [[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]]. The film is based on the book ''[[Vengeance (Jonas book)|Vengeance]]'' by [[George Jonas]], an account of the incident which has been criticized by some intelligence personnel as fictional, though because of its covert nature is difficult to prove or disprove. In some countries the book was titled ''Vengeance: Sword of Gideon'', from which the movie title is drawn. The story was retold in the 2005 film ''[[Munich (2005 film)|Munich]]'' by [[Steven Spielberg]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Avner, an adept Israeli military officer, is interrupted from his service in the [[Israeli Defense Forces|IDF]] by a special request from Israeli Prime Minister [[Golda Meir]] to join [[Mossad]], Israel's intelligence agency. Despite warnings from his father, he agrees to join, and becomes the leader of an elite five-man group assigned to assassinate all of the [[Black September Organization|Black September]] terrorists involved in the [[Munich massacre]]. Shortly before embarking, however, his wife reveals to him that she is pregnant, to Avner's surprise.
Avner, an adept Israeli military officer is selected as the leader of a Mossad team of expert agents for a [[Operation Wrath of God|covert mission to avenge the Munich massacre]] and other recent attacks. They are initially successful in their assassinations but as they progress it becomes harder and harder to find their targets and they themselves are targeted with varying success by their enemies. With Avner and Jean the driver being the only survivors the mission is called off. He wishes to retire from Mossad and rejoin the regular ranks of the IDF, but his case officer is reluctant to let his most valuable asset go.

The undercover unit is dispatched to Europe, where most of the terrorists are located, and begin assassinating them via firearms and bombs. Initially, they are very successful, but after Avner witnesses one of their targets' wife and daughter crying in the hospital upon learning of his death, he soon begins to question the morality of his mission.

Eventually, the unit becomes wanted internationally for the assassinations, and spies dispatched by Black September are successful in killing most of Avner's team over the course of several months. After a botched assassination attempt of two targets results in the team almost being wiped out, Avner asks the case officer in charge of the mission to abort, and his request is granted, ending the mission with only two survivors.

Upon returning to Israel, Avner's case officer reveals that his Mossad contract length is three years, prompting him to angrily attempt to quit his job and move to [[New York City|New York]] with his wife and infant son. There, he is the target of harassment by his case officer, who attempts to convince him to return to Israel and go on another mission for Mossad. Avner refuses, stating that he only wants to join the IDF and become an officer again. His boss flatly rejects the offer, and withdraws all of Avner's money from his bank account as punishment for violating his contract with Mossad, leaving the family completely broke. However, he purchases and repairs an old apartment, and is able to make a modest living as a taxi cab driver.

As the movie ends, Avner can be seen commanding an IDF armored column through the desert, and a paragraph of text explains that he returned to Israel to command his tank unit during the [[Yom Kippur War]].


==Cast==
==Cast==
* [[Steven Bauer]] - Avner
* [[Steven Bauer]] as Avner
* [[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]] - Robert
* [[Michael York (actor)|Michael York]] as Robert
* [[Robert Joy]] - Hans
* [[Robert Joy]] as Hans
* [[Laurent Malet]] - Jean
* [[Laurent Malet]] as Jean
* [[Peter Dvorsky (actor)|Peter Dvorsky]] - Carl
* [[Peter Dvorsky (actor)|Peter Dvorsky]] as Carl
* [[Rod Steiger]] - Mordechai Samuels
* [[Rod Steiger]] as Mordechai Samuels
* [[Lino Ventura]] - Papa
* [[Lino Ventura]] as Papa
* [[Colleen Dewhurst]] - [[Golda Meir]]
* [[Colleen Dewhurst]] as Prime Minister [[Golda Meir]]
* [[Leslie Hope]] - Shoshana
* [[Leslie Hope]] as Shoshana
* [[John Hirsch]] - Avner's Father
* [[John Hirsch]] as Avner's Father
* [[Cyrielle Clair]] - Jeanette Von Lesseps
* [[Cyrielle Clair]] as Jeanette Von Lesseps
* [[Linda Griffiths]] - Carl's widow
* [[Linda Griffiths]] as Carl's Widow
* [[Daniel Alfie]] - Ali Salameh
* Daniel Alfie as Ali Salameh
* [[Hrant Alianak]] - Wael Zwaiter
* [[Hrant Alianak]] as Wael Zwaiter
* [[Sonia Benezra]] - Mrs. Hamshari
* [[Sonia Benezra]] as Mrs. Hamshari


==Home media==
==Home media==
The film was released on VHS by [[HBO Video|HBO/Cannon Video]] under license from [[Home Box Office]]. However, HBO didn't own it and then in 2004 was released on DVD by [[Echo Bridge Home Entertainment]]. Currently, the film belongs to [[Entertainment One]] (formerly [[Alliance Entertainment (Canada)|Alliance Entertainment]]).
The film was released on VHS by [[HBO Video|HBO/Cannon Video]] under license from [[Home Box Office]]. However, HBO didn't own it and then in 2004 was released on DVD by [[Echo Bridge Home Entertainment]]. Currently, the film belongs to [[Lionsgate]] (via [[Entertainment One]] (formerly [[Alliance Entertainment (Canada)|Alliance Entertainment]])).


==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|id=0092038|title=Sword of Gideon}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0092038|title=Sword of Gideon}}
* {{Amg title|48217|Sword of Gideon}}
* {{AllMovie title|48217|Sword of Gideon}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|sword_of_gideon|Sword of Gideon}}
* {{rotten-tomatoes|sword_of_gideon|Sword of Gideon}}



{{Michael Anderson}}
{{Michael Anderson}}


[[Category:Canadian television films]]
[[Category:Canadian action television films]]
[[Category:English-language Canadian films]]
[[Category:Munich massacre]]
[[Category:Munich massacre]]
[[Category:Operation Wrath of God]]
[[Category:Mossad assassinations following the Munich massacre]]
[[Category:1986 television films]]
[[Category:1986 television films]]
[[Category:1986 films]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Golda Meir]]
[[Category:Cultural depictions of Golda Meir]]
[[Category:Films directed by Michael Anderson]]
[[Category:Films directed by Michael Anderson]]
[[Category:Spy drama television films]]
[[Category:Films scored by Georges Delerue]]
[[Category:Films based on non-fiction books]]

[[Category:1980s Canadian films]]
{{1980s-Canada-film-stub}}
[[Category:Canadian thriller television films]]
{{tv-drama-film-stub}}
[[Category:CTV Television Network original films]]
[[Category:HBO Films films]]
[[Category:Films about the 1972 Summer Olympics]]

Latest revision as of 12:32, 2 October 2024

For the police novel, see Gideon's Wrath.
Sword of Gideon
GenreAction
Drama
Thriller
Based onVengeance
by George Jonas
Screenplay byChris Bryant
Directed byMichael Anderson
StarringSteven Bauer
Michael York
Robert Joy
Laurent Malet
Peter Dvorsky
Rod Steiger
Lino Ventura
Colleen Dewhurst
Leslie Hope
John Hirsch
Cyrielle Clair
Linda Griffiths
Daniel Alfie
Hrant Alianak
Sonia Benezra
Music byGeorges Delerue
Country of originCanada
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producersDenis Héroux
John Kemeny
Robert Lantos
ProducerGeorge Jonas
CinematographyClaude Agostini
EditorRon Wisman
Running time173 min.
Production companyHBO Pictures
Original release
NetworkCTV
HBO
ReleaseNovember 29, 1986 (1986-11-29)

Sword of Gideon is a 1986 Canadian television film about Mossad agents hunting down terrorists associated with the 1972 Munich massacre. It was first shown on the CTV Television Network in Canada as a four-hour miniseries and later on HBO in the United States. Directed by Michael Anderson and written by Chris Bryant, the film stars Steven Bauer and Michael York. The film is based on the book Vengeance by George Jonas, an account of the incident which has been criticized by some intelligence personnel as fictional, though because of its covert nature is difficult to prove or disprove. In some countries the book was titled Vengeance: Sword of Gideon, from which the movie title is drawn. The story was retold in the 2005 film Munich by Steven Spielberg.

Plot

[edit]

Avner, an adept Israeli military officer, is interrupted from his service in the IDF by a special request from Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir to join Mossad, Israel's intelligence agency. Despite warnings from his father, he agrees to join, and becomes the leader of an elite five-man group assigned to assassinate all of the Black September terrorists involved in the Munich massacre. Shortly before embarking, however, his wife reveals to him that she is pregnant, to Avner's surprise.

The undercover unit is dispatched to Europe, where most of the terrorists are located, and begin assassinating them via firearms and bombs. Initially, they are very successful, but after Avner witnesses one of their targets' wife and daughter crying in the hospital upon learning of his death, he soon begins to question the morality of his mission.

Eventually, the unit becomes wanted internationally for the assassinations, and spies dispatched by Black September are successful in killing most of Avner's team over the course of several months. After a botched assassination attempt of two targets results in the team almost being wiped out, Avner asks the case officer in charge of the mission to abort, and his request is granted, ending the mission with only two survivors.

Upon returning to Israel, Avner's case officer reveals that his Mossad contract length is three years, prompting him to angrily attempt to quit his job and move to New York with his wife and infant son. There, he is the target of harassment by his case officer, who attempts to convince him to return to Israel and go on another mission for Mossad. Avner refuses, stating that he only wants to join the IDF and become an officer again. His boss flatly rejects the offer, and withdraws all of Avner's money from his bank account as punishment for violating his contract with Mossad, leaving the family completely broke. However, he purchases and repairs an old apartment, and is able to make a modest living as a taxi cab driver.

As the movie ends, Avner can be seen commanding an IDF armored column through the desert, and a paragraph of text explains that he returned to Israel to command his tank unit during the Yom Kippur War.

Cast

[edit]

Home media

[edit]

The film was released on VHS by HBO/Cannon Video under license from Home Box Office. However, HBO didn't own it and then in 2004 was released on DVD by Echo Bridge Home Entertainment. Currently, the film belongs to Lionsgate (via Entertainment One (formerly Alliance Entertainment)).

[edit]
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