2,000-MILE DASH TO RESCUE ISRAELI HOSTAGES

Cinemavixion Review

This documentary plunges viewers into the heart of a harrowing historical event: the 1976 hijacking of Air France Flight 139. The narrative unfolds with chilling detail, recounting the audacious act of four hijackers who seized control of the aircraft, diverting its 248 passengers to Entebbe, Uganda. The escalating tension is palpable as Ugandan dictator Idi Amin lends his support to the terrorists, who then cruelly single out Jewish and Israeli passengers, imposing a deadly ultimatum. Against its own long-standing policy, the Israeli government is compelled to explore a daring military response. The film meticulously chronicles the clandestine planning and swift mobilization of Israel's elite counterterrorism unit. A particularly ingenious element highlighted is the elaborate deception involving a fabricated presidential motorcade, designed to ensure complete surprise for the rescue mission. The documentary follows the commandos on their perilous 2,000-mile flight, capturing the critical moment their cover is compromised and culminating in a swift, brutal two-minute firefight to neutralize the hijackers and liberate the hostages. The narrative does not shy away from the cost of this remarkable success, acknowledging the tragic loss of the unit's commander and the subsequent brutal retribution exacted by the dictator.