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Z Director: Costa-Gavras Starring: Yves Montand, Irene Papas, Jacques Perrin Country: France Type: Color Year: 1969 Language: French w/English subt. Length: 127 mins. $24.98    Order Z is one of the most politically insightful films ever made, exposing government hypocrisy and cover-up in the wake of a political assassination. Zei (Yves Montand) is a scientist who is scheduled to give a speech against the use of the atomic bomb. On the way to the event, he is attacked outside the auditorium by a group of right-wing extremists with political ties to the government. A newspaper reporter finds a witness to the event and a judge willing to hear the case despite government protests. The ensuing trial reveals a government conspiracy, but the results of the trial are thrown out when a new government is formed by a military coup. Director Costa-Gavras used actual trial transcripts of the investigation into the May 22, 1963 assassination of Greek pacifist leader Gregoris Lambrakis, which proved a government conspiracy in his death. Yves Montand gives the best dramatic performance of his life, and Irene Papas stars as his wife Helena. Z won the Oscar for "Best Foreign Film" of 1969. The letter Z in the Greek alphabet means "he is alive." ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide