Based on true events, Costa-Gavras' Oscar-winning film chronicles the overthrow of the democratic government in Greece. The edge-of-your-seat action closely parallels the real-life assassination of Gregorios Lambrakis, a Greek doctor and humanist whose murder in 1963 led to an abortive public scandal. Combination mystery and thriller, "Z" made its mark as a groundbreaking political roman a clef, and it resonates even today.