Introduction"Operation Thunderbolt", likewise known as "Mivtsa Yonatan", is a 1977 Israeli movie directed by Menahem Golan. The film is based on the true story of Operation Entebbe, where Israeli commandos successfully rescued 103 hostages from an Air France flight that had actually been hijacked by terrorists and required to Entebbe Airport in Uganda. The film stars Yehoram Gaon as Yonatan Netanyahu, the leader of the operation, and won the 1977 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film.
Plot SummaryThe movie starts with the hijacking of Air France Flight 139 from Athens to Paris by two members of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and 2 members of Germany's Revolutionary Cells. The airplane, bring 248 travelers and 12 crew members, is diverted to Libya briefly before being flown to Entebbe Airport in Uganda, where they are welcomed by Idi Amin Dada, the President of Uganda.
Upon arrival, the hijackers separate the captives into 2 groups: the non-Jewish passengers, who are launched after a couple of days, and the Jewish guests, who are cooped. They demand the release of 40 Palestinian prisoners kept in Israeli prisons and 13 other detainees of other citizenships. If the needs are not met, the hijackers threaten to carry out the hostages.
In Israel, Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Defense Minister Shimon Peres dispute the proper action to the hijacking. Rabin at first prefers negotiating with the terrorists to get the release of the hostages, while Peres pushes for a bold rescue objective.
As the stress rise and time is running out, the Israeli federal government eventually chooses to introduce an extremely deceptive and adventurous rescue mission called "Operation Thunderbolt". Yonatan Netanyahu, a brilliant and brave officer, is offered command of the operation. He leads a group of elite task forces called Sayeret Matkal, and they train for the hazardous mission in a mock-up of the airport.
The operation is released on July 3, 1977, with four Hercules transportation planes flying from Israel to Uganda, covering over 2,200 miles. Their route needs them to fly at incredibly low elevations to avoid radar detection. The task forces arrive at Entebbe in the dead of night, utilizing a black Mercedes camouflaged as Idi Amin's presidential vehicle to go into the airport.
The commandos rapidly secure the airport, eliminating the hijackers and Ugandan soldiers, and freeing the hostages. However, Yonatan Netanyahu is fatally shot throughout the rescue. The group manages to evacuate the captives onto aircrafts and fly back to Israel, in spite of dealing with some resistance from Ugandan soldiers and fighter jets.
Upon their arrival in Israel, the hostages and commandos are welcomed as heroes. The film concludes with a memorial service for Yonatan Netanyahu, paying tribute to his bravery and sacrifice.
Analysis"Operation Thunderbolt" is an extreme and gripping depiction of one of the most bold hostage rescues in history. The film efficiently builds stress and suspense, particularly during the climactic rescue mission. It also concentrates on the moral and political predicaments dealt with by the Israeli federal government as they weigh the dangers and advantages of a military operation versus negotiations.
The movie humanizes the hostages and task forces, providing glimpses into their lives before the hijacking and highlighting the bravery and selflessness shown by both. "Operation Thunderbolt" stands as a testament to heroism and sacrifice in the face of fear and fills the audiences with a sense of wonder for the exceptional tasks of the Israeli task forces.
The movie has a remarkable cast, with Yehoram Gaon's representation of Yonatan Netanyahu being especially notable. Gaon records Netanyahu's guts, decision, and devotion to the objective, making his character's terrible end all the more poignant.
In conclusion, "Operation Thunderbolt" stays an effective and inspiring film that informs the story of a brave mission that mesmerized the world's attention. Through a mix of suspense, action, and human drama, the motion picture commemorates the bold people who risked their lives to conserve others from an alarming situation.
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