Given that Israel maintained a policy of not negotiating with terrorists, a rescue plan was put in motion.
All seven hijackers and some 45 Ugandan soldiers were killed.
As noted, four films have been made about the raid.
Four movies have been made about Operation Thunderbolt, when Israel responded to Palestinian terrorists hijacking a passenger jet. What did these movies get right and wrong about the guns of the real-life incident? Image: Participant
How does the firearms accuracy and overall production stack up?
The hijackers and Israeli commandos alike are armed with MAC-10 and Madsen M50 submachine guns.
Only a few clips as well as the trailer are currently available on YouTube.
This made-for-television depiction of the incident featured a star-studded cast. Image: ABC
However, the Ugandan military did use (and still uses) the similarly looking HK G3 rifle.
It is only available on Region 2 DVDs.
Some of the Ugandan soldiers can be seen with Sten Guns, which isnt a debatable choice.
Although this TV movie had a solid cast, it had a mix of weapons that were not an accurate representation of reality. Image: ABC
25 submachine gun and AK-47s.
This was actually the first Western made (non-Soviet) film to feature the AK-47 on screen.
Firearms Accuracy: This time the terrorists are armed with Czech CZ Vz.
Charles Bronson headlined this made-for-television movie of the events in 1976. Image: NBC
61 E Skorpion submachine guns despite reports that Sa.
25 were the actual weapons of choice.
However, the AK-47 is far more prominent in the film including training sequences involving the hijackers.
While it may have been more accurate than the ABC effort, this movie had its own firearms accuracy issues. Image: NBC
Unfortunately the best of the bunch is likely the hardest to actually see!
Made with the full support of the Israeli government, this movie lacked big stars but was very accurate in its firearms selections. Image:Golan-Globus Productions
Operation Thunderboltwas the first Western film to show the AK-47 rifle. Image:Golan-Globus Productions
Although the movie had higher production values than the TV movies, it still did not get all of the firearms correct. Image: Participant
Here an actor is armed with a CZ Vz. 61 when the terrorists were reportedly armed with Sa Vz. 25 submachine guns. Image: Participant
