The film is based on an actual event: Operation Entebbe and the freeing of Israeli hostages at Entebbe Airport (now Entebbe International Airport) in Uganda.

Helmut Bergeras Wilfried Böse
Theodore Bikelas Yakov Shlomo
Linda Blairas Chana Vilnofsky
Kirk Douglasas Herschel Vilnofsky
Richard Dreyfussas Colonel Yonatan 'Yonni' Netanyahu
Stefan Gieraschas General Mordecai Gur
David Grohas Benjamin Wise
Julius Harrisas President Idi Amin
Helen Hayesas Etta Grossman-Wise
Anthony Hopkinsas Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin