Operation Thunderbolt, known in Israel as Mivtsa Yonatan (מבצע יונתן, literally "Operation Jonathan"), is an Academy Award nominated Israeli film from 1977 based on an actual event; Operation Entebbe and the freeing of hostages at Entebbe Airport in Kampala, Uganda on July 4, 1976. The film was directed by Menahem Golan and starred Klaus Kinski, Yehoram Gaon, and Sybil Danning.
Synopsis
In July 1976, an Air France flight from Tel-Aviv to Paris via Athens was hijacked and forced to land in Entebbe, Uganda at the invitation of Idi Amin. The Jewish passengers were separated and held hostage in demand to release many terrorists held in Israeli prisons. After much debate, the Israeli government sent an elite commando unit to raid the airfield and release the hostages. The film is based on fact and follows the events following the flight's takeoff until the hostages' return to Israel.
Cast
- Yehoram Gaon - Col. Yonatan Netanyahu
- Gila Almagor - Nurit Aviv
- Assi Dayan - Shuki (as Assaf Dayan)
- Klaus Kinski - Wilfried Boese
- Sybil Danning - Halima
- Arik Lavie - Gen. Dan Shomron
- Shmuel Rodensky - Family Representative
- Shaike Ophir - Gadi Arnon (as Shai K. Ophir)
- Reuven Bar-Yotam - Ben-David
- Gabi Amrani - (as Gaby Amrani)
- Mark Heath - Idi Amin Dada
- Henry Czarniak - Bacos (as Henri Czarniak)
- Rolf Eden - Co-Pilot
- Shoshana Shani - Alma Raviv
- Oded Teomi - Dan Zamir
Production
The film was produced with the co-operation of the Israeli Air Force and the Israeli Government. The film features original footage of prominent politicians such as Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres and Moshe Dayan. The exterior scenes set in Uganda were photographed in near Eilat, Israel. The scenes featuring the Knesset were filmed in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv airport sequences were filmed at Ben Gurion International Airport. The film was shot a second time in an all-English version as well.
In 1986, Menahem Golan produced and directed The Delta Force, a film to which Mivtsa Yonatan is very similar. In fact, Golan re-used many actors from Mivtsa Yonatan in The Delta Force.
Critical response
The film was well received in its native Israel and was somewhat successful overseas. In 1978 it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Video games
A video game called Operation Thunderbolt was created. In the game a flight called Trans Global Flight #520 is hijacked and forces must rescue the aircraft.
External links
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