In Uruguay in the early 1970s, an official of the US Agency for International Development (a group used as a front for training foreign police in counterinsurgency methods) is kidnapped by a group of urban guerillas. Using his interrogation as a backdrop, the film explores the often brutal consequences of the struggle between Uruguay's government and the leftist Tupamaro guerillas.

This is a film of historical importance.

State of Siege shows how the U.S. aided and abetted right-wing dictatorships in Latin America during the Cold War. Yves Montand plays an American sent by our government to teach torture techniques to police in Uruguay. He is kidnapped by Tupamaro guerillas, interrogated and presented with proof of his activities. We witness how the military, the diplomats, and the press deal with the crisis. State of Siege generates a great deal of tension and suspense, even though we know the outcome. Director Costa-Gavras tends to romanticize the Left, but what is presented here is now widely acknowledged as fact. State of Siege is a film of historical importance that deserves your attention.

viewer's comments:

- "State of Siege" is a terrific movie with the same look and feel as Costa-Gavras's other classic of the period, "Z." Set in Uruguay, "State of Siege" was actually filmed in Chile during the Allende presidency, and was ironically released shortly before the coup that overthrow Allende (the subject, of course, of "Missing," another Costa-Gavras film).

"Z" was released on DVD last year in a newly restored version with excellent additional materials (modern interviews of Costa Gavras and Jorge Semprun, who wrote the screenplay, as well as interviews with the actors). My question is, when will "State of Siege" receive the same treatment? It is not available for sale in the US in any form, and is almost impossible to find as a rental. Now that "Z" is available in such an excellent edition, its about time "State of Siege" was too.

- Nostalgia and anticipation


Director:
Costa-Gavras
Writers:
Franco Solinas, Costa-Gavras (original scenario)
cast:
Yves Montand ...
Philip Michael Santore
Renato Salvatori Renato Salvatori ...
Captain Lopez
O.E. Hasse O.E. Hasse ...
Carlos Ducas
Jacques Weber Jacques Weber ...
Hugo
Jean-Luc Bideau Jean-Luc Bideau ...
Este
Maurice Teynac Maurice Teynac ...
Minister of Internal Security
Yvette Etiévant Yvette Etiévant ...
Woman Senator
Evangeline Peterson Evangeline Peterson ...
Mrs. Santore
Harald Wolff Harald Wolff ...
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Nemesio Antúnez Nemesio Antúnez ...
President of the Republic
Mario Montilles Mario Montilles ...
Assistant Commissioner Fontant
André Falcon André Falcon ...
Deputy Fabbri
Jerry Brouer Jerry Brouer ...
Anthony Lee
Roberto Navarrete Roberto Navarrete ...
Commissioner Romero
Douglas Harris Douglas Harris ...
A.I.D. Director

Country:France | Italy | West Germany
Language:French with English subtitles
Release Date:30 December 1972 (West Germany)
Also Known As:Der unsichtbare Aufstand
Filming Locations:Cerro Playa Ancha, Valparaíso, V Región, Chile, Chile
Runtime:120 min
Sound Mix:Mono
Color:Color (Eastmancolor)