Cinema: Spurious Suspense

STATE OF SIEGE Directed by COSTA-GAVRAS Screenplay by FRANCO SOLINAS and COSTA-GAVRAS

Great squalls of controversy have been buffeting this essentially unsurprising political thriller ever since it was removed from the inaugural showing at Washington's Kennedy Center (TIME, April 16). The American Film Institute, an organization of high-flown title and dubious distinction, was dedicating a theater for itself, but A.F.I. Director George Stevens Jr. thought State of Siege inappropriate for such an august occasion. He chose to believe that the film rationalizes political assassination.

It ought, therefore, to be pointed out that State of Siege is only secondarily about assassination. It is primarily...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!