Z (1969)

Last updated:
September 4, 2025

Costa-Gavras’s Z (1969) is not only a political thriller but also a historical document wrapped in gripping cinema. Based on real events in Greece during the 1960s, the film remains a sharp critique of authoritarianism, corruption, and state violence. Let’s break it down in detail.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Setting and Political Climate

The film opens in an unnamed Mediterranean country (though clearly modeled on Greece). We see a society simmering with unrest, where the government and military collude to suppress progressive movements.

The Rally and the Assassination

A charismatic leftist deputy (played by Yves Montand) plans to give a public speech, despite threats and intimidation by authorities. The state attempts to prevent the event, cutting down the possibilities of gathering, while police “look the other way” as right-wing thugs harass activists.

During the rally, the deputy is struck on the head with a club in what appears to be a “street brawl.” In reality, it is a coordinated attack. He later dies from his injuries, and the state tries to pass it off as an accident.

The Magistrate’s Investigation

Enter Jean-Louis Trintignant as the Examining Magistrate. Initially expected to rubber-stamp the official narrative, he instead conducts a thorough investigation. Piece by piece, he uncovers a conspiracy: the attack was orchestrated by high-ranking military and political officials.

Witnesses and Whistleblowers

Journalists, ordinary citizens, and courageous witnesses risk their lives to testify against the perpetrators. Their testimonies point directly to the involvement of senior officers and their collusion with right-wing extremist groups.

Movie Ending

The magistrate’s findings expose the assassination as a state-sponsored crime. He courageously charges top officials, including generals, colonels, and even the police. For a brief moment, justice seems possible.

But the ending delivers a gut punch: the military seizes control in a coup d’état. The officials under investigation are quietly released or reinstated. The magistrate himself is pushed aside. Democracy collapses, and the country descends into dictatorship.

The film closes with the journalist (played by Jacques Perrin) reporting that many democratic freedoms—political parties, strikes, unions, and even certain cultural symbols like modern art and popular music—are banned under the new regime. This chilling conclusion underscores the fragility of democracy and the ruthlessness of authoritarianism.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No. Z is a product of the late 1960s, when post-credits scenes were not a cinematic trend. The film ends definitively with its sobering final sequence and does not add anything afterward.

Type of Movie

Z is a political thriller and courtroom drama, with elements of investigative journalism and social critique. It merges suspenseful storytelling with real political history.

Cast

Yves Montand as The Deputy
Jean-Louis Trintignant as The Magistrate
Irene Papas as The Deputy’s Wife
Jacques Perrin as The Journalist
Charles Denner as The Lawyer
Pierre Dux as The General

Film Music and Composer

The haunting score was composed by Mikis Theodorakis, who himself was a Greek political dissident. His music brings authenticity and emotional power, blending traditional Greek sounds with dramatic orchestral elements.

Filming Locations

Although the story is set in Greece, the film was shot primarily in Algeria. Greece was under a military dictatorship at the time, making it impossible to film there. Algeria’s urban landscapes doubled for Greek streets, and its political history added resonance to the setting.

Awards and Nominations

Z was a critical and awards triumph:

Won: Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film (1970)
Won: Academy Award for Best Film Editing
Nominated: Academy Award for Best Picture (rare for a foreign film)
Nominated: Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay
Won: Jury Prize at Cannes Film Festival

Behind the Scenes Insights

Costa-Gavras faced immense political pressure while making the film; financing was difficult due to its subject matter.
Mikis Theodorakis’s music was smuggled into the production, as he was imprisoned during the Greek junta.
The director intentionally avoided naming the country, although every viewer at the time understood it was Greece.
Jean-Louis Trintignant won Best Actor at Cannes for his subtle but powerful performance as the magistrate.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on the novel “Z” by Vassilis Vassilikos, which itself dramatizes the real assassination of Greek politician Grigoris Lambrakis in 1963. The title “Z” refers to the Greek letter meaning “He lives,” a rallying cry for Lambrakis’s supporters after his death.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There are no known alternate endings. Costa-Gavras wanted the film to end as starkly and unflinchingly as possible. Any potential deleted material was minor—largely additional dialogue or character moments.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The book by Vassilikos is more expansive, weaving in detailed accounts of political corruption and societal decay. The film streamlines events to focus on the assassination, investigation, and coup. While the book provides broader context, the movie amplifies suspense and urgency.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The deputy’s assassination during the rally.
The magistrate’s quiet but relentless interrogation of military officials.
The widow (Irene Papas) grieving silently but with powerful presence.
The final montage of banned freedoms.

Iconic Quotes

“Z”—meaning “He lives.”
“The justice system cannot be used to cover up crimes of the state.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The choice not to name Greece in the film allowed it to resonate as a universal story of authoritarianism, not just a local tragedy.
The magistrate’s calm demeanor contrasts with the explosive political chaos, symbolizing reason confronting brute force.

Trivia

One of the first foreign-language films to be nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars.
The film was banned in Greece until the fall of the junta in 1974.
Jacques Perrin, who plays the journalist, also co-produced the film.

Why Watch?

Because it’s not just a movie—it’s history disguised as a thriller. Z shows how fragile democracy can be and how easily corruption spreads when unchecked. If you enjoy political dramas, investigative thrillers, or simply powerful cinema, this is essential viewing.

Director’s Other Movies

State of Siege (1972)
Missing (1982)
Betrayed (1988)
Music Box (1989)
Amen. (2002)
Adults in the Room (2019)

Z (1969)