Product Details

• Directors: Menahem Golan
• Format: DVD Region, DVD, Special Limited Edition, Classical
• Language: English
• Subtitles: English, Hebrew
• Region: All Regions
• Number of discs: 1
• Run Time: 50 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0011Z5YXQ
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #166,533 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The Oscar nominated film and documentary tells the heroic real-life events of Operation Thunderbolt which occurred in Entebbe, Uganda in 1976. The events started when armed terrorist from Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine took over Air France flight # 139 from Paris to Tel-Aviv and diverted it to Libya and then Uganda. The Terrorists then issued Israel impossible demands in exchange for the captives, demands, Israel couldn t fulfill. Israel decided to send in its special forces and, in a larger than life operation, released the passengers in what became a mythical and the most famous anti-terrorist special operation ever held.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

88 of 89 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thrilling and true, July 31, 2004

By 

Dalekmaster (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operation Thunderbolt (DVD)

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.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jo Jo, April 8, 2008

By 

Jo Jo (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Operation Thunderbolt (DVD)

This is an awesome movie. You have to read the subtitles but it is the closest movie, by far, to what really happened. It bothered me to see Yoni die at the end, even though I knew it was going to happen. Yoni was the driving force of this mission and he didn't get to see the finished product. A great man was lost that day, but this was his goal, to see those people rescued, no matter what. 101 people are alive due to this daring rescue. Just shows everyone the guts that Israel had and has

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Operation Thunderbolt, February 9, 2007

By 

Lawrence M. Krauser (Washington, DC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Operation Thunderbolt (DVD)

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.