Operation Thunderbolt (1978)

Operation Thunderbolt

This movie, a much better adaptation then the garbage flick put out by Hollywood, "Rescue at Entebbe", is very true to the tactics, techniques, and training of a counter-terrorism unit. If you want slick action, smooth lines, excellent special effects, and brilliant camera work this movie is not for you. If you want the presentation of an actual event as supported by the participants, many of whom gave their advice and recollections to the making of this movie (one of whom is now the IDF Chief of Staff); complete with the impact on the families of those who went into harms way, then you will find this movie of great interest.
It boiled down to this: when Jews were held hostage and faced with death it was only the Jews (Israelis) who came to their rescue. The fact that when the doors were kicked in and the dogs were taken down the memorable phrase is, "They're ours!"
When the mission is over, and the hostages returned, you see joy and celebration, and the cost to the families who lost their loved ones. You also see the heroes coming off the plane and heading off to their next assignment.
Historical Note: Yonaton is buried in Jerusalem, next to him is the grave of the General who sent him on the mission. Israeli soldiers are buried in the order they die. Benyamin Netanyahu, his brother, eventually became Prime Minister of Israel, after commanding the same commando unit. February 9, 2007

Thrilling and true

In 1976, Palestinian and German terrorists hijacked an Air France flight and forced it to land in the African town of Entebbe, where they were welcomed and protected by Uganda's then-dictator, Idi Amin. Releasing all the non-Israeli passengers, the terrorists threatened to kill the rest unless dozens of their comrades were released from Israeli prisons. Rather than submit to blackmail, the Israeli army secretly flew thousands of miles to Entebbe and freed more than 100 hostages in a daring nighttime raid to the cheers of most of the world.

"Operation Thunderbolt," now available on DVD, was filmed in Israel with the full cooperation of the Israeli government, and is an exciting re-creation of the events of those tense days. We see the full scope of the story, from the original hijacking to the passengers' captivity in Uganda to the agonized debates at the highest levels of the Israeli government over a diplomatic vs. a military solution.

All the characters speak their own languages, so the film is a linguistic hodgepodge of Hebrew, Arabic, German and English; fortunately, the DVD includes subtitles. It also contains a documentary on the real events surrounding the rescue, which is almost as compelling as the film itself.

"Operation Thunderbolt" is the thrilling and true story of how one small country refused to let their people be killed by terrorists and took action to prevent it. People who claim that Israel is a "terrorist state" should see the film and be reminded who the real terrorists are. July 31, 2004

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