Entebbe Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of Israelis on their way to Paris for vacation get an unexpected layover in Uganda where they have to deal with some Germans having a mid-life crisis, and a dance performance.

🍿 Entebbe: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Hijacking

In July 1976, Air France Flight 139, traveling from Tel Aviv to Paris with a stopover in Athens, is hijacked by two German revolutionaries, Wilfried Böse and Brigitte Kuhlmann, along with two Palestinian militants. The hijackers divert the plane to Entebbe, Uganda, where they are welcomed by the country’s dictator, Idi Amin. The passengers, many of whom are Israeli or Jewish, are taken hostage.

Negotiations and Tensions

As the hijackers make demands for the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, the Israeli government is thrown into turmoil. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Defense Minister Shimon Peres clash over the best course of action. Rabin is initially hesitant to use force, while Peres advocates for a more aggressive approach. Meanwhile, the hostages in Entebbe face increasingly dire conditions as the deadline for the demands draws near.

Planning Operation Thunderbolt

With negotiations stalled, the Israeli government secretly approves a daring rescue mission known as Operation Thunderbolt. Led by Lieutenant Colonel Yonatan ‘Yoni’ Netanyahu, an elite commando unit prepares to infiltrate Entebbe Airport and free the hostages. The plan is risky and fraught with challenges, but the team is determined to save the lives of the captured passengers.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Wilfried Böse (Daniel Brühl): A German revolutionary and one of the hijackers, grappling with the morality of his actions and the escalating situation.
• Brigitte Kuhlmann (Rosamund Pike): A determined and radical German hijacker, committed to the cause and willing to use violence.
• Yitzhak Rabin (Lior Ashkenazi): The Prime Minister of Israel, facing immense pressure to resolve the hostage crisis while weighing the political and military consequences.
• Shimon Peres (Eddie Marsan): The Defense Minister of Israel, advocating for a military solution to rescue the hostages in Entebbe.
• Ali Al-Maati (Amir Khoury): A Palestinian hijacker involved in the Air France flight hijacking.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Shimon Peres: “There can be no negotiations with terrorists.” – Peres firmly states his stance against negotiating with terrorists during a heated discussion about the appropriate response to the hijacking.
• Yitzhak Rabin: “You want to invade Uganda, Shimon?” – Rabin questions the feasibility and implications of Peres’ aggressive plan to rescue the hostages.
• Shimon Peres: “We’ll give it back to them when we leave.” – Peres responds sarcastically to Rabin’s concerns about invading Uganda, underscoring his resolve to take action.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $40,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $3,326,885
• Worldwide Gross: $8,771,432

💥 Entebbe Reviews

Personal Review

I wanted to love this movie because the Entebbe raid is such a compelling piece of history. Unfortunately, ‘Entebbe’ left me feeling underwhelmed. The attempt to show the ‘human side’ of the hijackers didn’t quite land for me, and the insertion of modern dance sequences felt completely out of place and actually took away from the tension of the rescue mission. There are better movies about this event out there.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas”
  • “Fans of political thrillers”
  • “Those fascinated by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict”
  • “Individuals seeking stories of courage and daring rescue operations”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and warfare”
  • “Hostage situation”
  • “Mature themes related to terrorism and political conflict”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “While ‘Entebbe’ boasts strong performances from Pike and Brühl, its attempt to humanize the hijackers feels forced and ultimately undermines the tension of the story. The film struggles to balance its multiple perspectives, resulting in a muddled and unsatisfying experience.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “A well-intentioned but ultimately flawed retelling of the Entebbe hijacking, ‘Entebbe’ suffers from a lack of focus and an overreliance on artistic flourishes that detract from the inherent drama of the situation. The dance sequences feel particularly out of place and jarring.

Audience Reactions

The performances by Daniel Brühl and Rosamund Pike were generally praised for their dedication to the roles.: Many viewers felt that the movie tried too hard to create sympathy for the hijackers, which was seen as disrespectful to the victims.

Overall Consensus: Despite a talented cast, ‘Entebbe’ fails to deliver a compelling and balanced retelling of the historical event, with its artistic choices and attempts at humanizing the hijackers proving divisive among audiences.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film attempts to present the perspectives of both the hijackers and the Israeli government, aiming for a balanced portrayal of the events.”
• “The dance sequences interspersed throughout the film were intended to serve as a metaphorical representation of the tension and political complexities of the situation.”

🖥️ How to Watch Entebbe?

As of October 2024, ‘Entebbe’ (also known as ‘7 Days in Entebbe’) is available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability. It is not typically included with standard streaming subscriptions but is offered as a transactional VOD.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Entebbe, you might like these similar films:

• Raid on Entebbe (1976): A direct comparison; this made-for-TV movie offers a more straightforward, action-oriented depiction of the same historical event.
• Munich (2005): Thematically similar; explores the complex moral and political implications of retaliatory actions following a terrorist act, focusing on the Israeli perspective.
• Argo (2012): A modern equivalent; a thriller based on a real-life hostage rescue mission, balancing suspense with political intrigue.

🛒 Entebbe Related Products

• Raid on Entebbe (1976) – DVD: Experience the original, classic movie about the Entebbe raid. See the events unfold in a more traditional action-thriller format.
• Operation Thunderbolt: The Entebbe Rescue by Saul David: Delve into the meticulously researched historical account of Operation Thunderbolt, providing in-depth details and insights into the planning and execution of the daring rescue mission.
• Entebbe: The Most Daring Mission of Israel’s Special Forces by Iddo Netanyahu: Explore the minute-by-minute account of Israel’s legendary Operation Entebbe, told through the eyes of a commando who lived it. A riveting and definitive insider’s story of the most audacious hostage-rescue mission of all time.

🎧 Soundtrack

Entebbe features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Chair Dance (Echad Mi Yodeah)” – performed by Nikmat Ha-Traktor (as The Tractor’s Revenge) and Ohad Naharin

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Crazy Rescue Mission of Hijacked Airplane – Operation Entebbe

Ever wonder what REALLY happened during the Entebbe raid? This animated video breaks down the whole crazy operation. It’s wild to see how accurate the movie actually was!

Idi Amin – The Dictator who ATE his enemies

Want to understand the real villain behind the Entebbe hijacking? This documentary dives into the life of Idi Amin, and trust me, it’s even crazier than you think. You won’t believe what this guy did!

Netanyahu opens up on loss of brother in Entebbe raid

See a different side of the Entebbe story through the eyes of someone who lived it, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. He talks about the painful loss of his brother who died in Entebbe. It’s powerful and adds another layer to the history.

Hilarious speech by Ugandan President at Israel Entebbe Raid commemoration | J-TV

Need a break from the seriousness? Check out this absolutely bonkers speech by the Ugandan President at an Entebbe commemoration! It goes totally off the rails, but it’s strangely captivating. Prepare to laugh!

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