In 1976, two Palestinian and two German terrorists hijack Air France Flight 139 en route from Tel Aviv, Israel to Paris, France via Athens, Greece. They hold the passengers and crew hostage at Entebbe and demanded a ransom of $5 million USD for the airplane and the release of 53 Palestinian and Pro-Palestinian militants, 40 of whom were prisoners in Israel. When all diplomatic efforts fail, the Israeli government approves a counter-terrorist hostage rescue operation by IDF commandos in what has been referred to as the most daring and audacious rescue mission in history.
7 Days in Entebbe is a 2018 action thriller film directed by José Padilha and written by Gregory Burke. The film recounts the story of Operation Entebbe, a 1976 counter-terrorist hostage-rescue operation. The film stars Rosamund Pike and Daniel Brühl. It was released in the United States on 16 March 2018 and in the United Kingdom on 11 May 2018.
The film puts Yonatan Netanyahu’s death much earlier in the raid on the airport than had been portrayed in previous films on the subject or in the Netanyahu family’s version of events. Director Padilha said that this placement was based on interviews with participants in the raid.
Although the production had commissioned British historian Saul David’s 2015 study Operation Thunderbolt as a guide, the director opted to subordinate historical accuracy to dramatic effect in a number of scenes. Most notably, the division of the hostages and the Air France crew staying with the hostages are presented in a way that contradicts eyewitness accounts gathered by David.
7 Days in Entebbe (2018)
Directed by: José Padilha
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Daniel Brühl, Eddie Marsan, Nonso Anozie, Ben Schnetzer, Denis Ménochet, Kamil Lemieszewski, Andrea Deck, Angel Bonanni, Lior Ashkenazi, Romeo Visca, Peter Sullivan
Screenplay by: Gregory Burke
Production Design by: Kave Quinn
Cinematography by: Lula Carvalho
Film Editing by: Daniel Rezende
Costume Design by: Bina Daigeler
Set Decoration by: Stella Fox
Art Direction by: Charlo Dalli
Music by: Rodrigo Amarante
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violence, some thematic material, drug use, smoking and brief strong language.
Distributed by: Focus Features
Release Date: March 16, 2018
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