Original subtitles

1968. The worldwide student protest movement reaches its climax in Germany, leading to an increasing number of violent riots.

The Red Army Faction, aka RAF,

seeks to bring about a radical transformation of society.

To achieve this end, they carry out bombings, kidnappings and assasinations.

Because of this, members of this organization are declared public enemies number one.

In 1972 the leaders of the RAF are arrested and put in solitary confinement at the Stammheim prison in Stuttgart.

However the so-called second generation of the RAF

does not give up hope of freeing them.

To continue their armed struggle they set up a training camp in South Yemen.

The wave of terror culminates

with the hijacking of the Lufthansa plane "Landshut".

Camp Khayat, South Yemen

The safety is located on the barrel above the pistol grip

That's a double-column clip which holds 25 bullets. Insert it like this.

And what's behind it? It's a tab to eject it.

Look at those crazy bastards.

They are all idiots.

They may be idiots, but they are useful idiots.

Better that they get killed instead of our people.

MOGADISHU

Cologne, September 5, 1977.

Get out you fat pig!

As the news of the kidnapping, of Hanns Martin Schleyer,

was confirmed this evening,

various speculations about this this incident spread

all denied by the security agencies.

The Chancellor Helmut Schmidt...

Good day, Mr. Chancellor.

...It's evening...

Where should I sit?

Over there.

About three and a half hours have passed since the attack.

The first hearses have arrived to take

the bodies of the four victims which are still at the scene.

The police at the scene refuse to say anything.

Mr. Mikhoffer, the Interior Minister, Mr. Fogel, the Justice Minister,

Mr. Wischnewski, Minister of State, as well as the Minister of...

The news of the attack on the person

of Hanns Martin Schleyer as well as the police guards and staff

who accompanied him have moved me profoundly.

Just as the assasination, a few weeks ago,

of J�rgen Ponto.

As well as those of Buback, Wurster and G�bel.

We are all, not only stunned...

Bonn, headquarters of GSG 9

by these violent deaths, but equally filled

with a deep anger at the brutality with

which the terrorists carry out their killing spree.

They want to destroy our democratic state

and the citizens' trust in it.

At this moment as I speak to you, wherever they are, those responsible...

Never another Munich.

That is what drives us.

While the GSG 9 is busy guarding money transports of the Federal Bank,

these bastards take the opportunity to assasinate the Attorney General on the street.

...should not kid themselves.

You know how long is the training for their bodyguards?

Two weeks. Only two weeks! Because that is the responsibility of the state governments.

...government counterterrorism agencies,...

That is the determination of the entire German people.

A month later.

Bagdad, beginning of October 1977.

Salam Aleikoum

Aleikoum salam, sir. - Welcome comrades, welcome.

Please sit down.

I am very pleased with your work.

Yes, it was very good.

They are playing for time.

This damned fascist State is keeping us in suspense for weeks.

The problem is that they prefer to sacrifice Schleyer

rather than free our comrades.

There is an Arab proverb which says:

"If you dig and don't find water, then you haven't dug deep enough".

Look here,

soon we will prove very clearly

how we stand by your organization.

Bonn, Federal Chancellory October 12, 1977

We are live from the Federal Chancellory

We have just learned that within half an hour there will be

another emergency meeting of the Cabinet about the current political situation.

According to the federal police, new developments about the Schleyer case

will be announced this afternoon.

We do not know how the federal government will react...

It is this living in uncertainty which is hardest to bear.

In my first statement after my kidnapping,

I indicated that my fate was

in the hands of the federal government

and I will accept their decision, whatever it is...

But...

How long can we make them wait?

This video shows that the terrorists

still believe we will release the prisoners.

As long as they have that hope, they will do nothing to Schleyer.

Speaking to you not as the chief of the Federal Criminal Police,

but as a human being...

What is your gut feeling, Harold?

Time is on our side - we will find him.

Only -

Only what?

I hope I am wrong, but in the meantime they won't wait and do nothing.

Babenhausen, October 13, 1977

You are already up?

Dad!

Take care of your back.

You have a doctor's appointment?

Yes, I have.

Mom, I'm hungry.

Here, take this.

As for our holidays, did you ask for your vacation leave?

Can you hand me my red notebook?

We start next week.

Goodbye, dear.

Goodbye.

You have my hat?

I'm coming.

Dad, where are you going today?

Frankfurt-Palma, Palma-Frankfurt.

Then you'll be back tonight?

Sure, I'll be back.

Bye.

Attention we are about to take off.

Fasten your seatbelts.

Ready to take off. Seatbelts fastened.

Bye.

All clear.

We are too late.

Come see this.

Look.

Hanns Martin Schleyer.

When were you tipped off?

September 7.

When?

Two days after the kidnapping.

And today it is October 13.

Tell me it isn't true!

Wait, we reported it immediately, but headquarters did not react.

And without orders from the top, we couldn't do anything.

This is nonsense.

Colonel, there are still two other apartments in this building.

Call the locksmith.

And what have you accomplished?

Just as I told you, this can not continue.

Goodbye.

By the way, I asked you a question last night.

Well, I didn't understand what you asked.

Well, I asked you to marry me.

That's not the way I understood it.

Well if it's that complicated, I might as well give up right away.

Maybe you should have thought about it before.

Gaby!

Palma de Mallorca, October 13.

Thank you, Gaby.

You're welcome.

Thank you.

There.

She is nice.

We have flown together before.

Ready for the checklist?

Exterior controls?

Check.

Circuit breakers?

Check.

Fuel panel?

Check.

Cabin lights?

On auto.

Deicing?

OK.

Good morning ladies and gentlemen

Captain Schumann and his crew are happy

to welcome you on board this Boeing 737...

This champagne is completely flat. You opened it...

Sir, I am very sorry.

I'll bring you another glass after takeoff.

Never mind.

Hello, young man.

I have a coloring book and some crayons for you.

Thank you.

At your service.

Miss.

Some water.

Excuse me, we are about to take off.

I'll bring you one immediately afterwards.

Hello, what's his name?

His name is Roby.

We'll have to tie you down, Roby.

We have two coffins on board.

One coffin is bad luck. But two!

Next week I go on holiday with my family.

Please raise your tray during takeoff.

Thanks.

Please put away the trophy in your bag and place it under your seat.

Congratulations.

Excuse me.

May I have a glass of mineral water please?

I am sorry, sir. In a few moments we will take off.

But I'll bring it to you later. I won't forget.

Ladies and gentlemen, here is your captain.

We have left Palma de Mallorca and are flying over Marseilles.

On your left, you have superb views of the city.

I am not hungry, but it will help pass the time.

Is everything OK?

I'll bring it right away.

Excuse me, let me through.

Remain seated! This is a hijacking!

Hands up! Don't fucking move!

You heard me! I said hands up!

I do not want to see anybody move!

Do not move! Go! Go and sit down!

This is a hijacking!

Hands up!

Come out, come on!

Everyone, hands over your heads!

And not one move!

The mike! Give me the mike!

I said give me the fucking mike!

This is Captain Mahmud of the operation Qafr Qaddum speaking.

From now on this plane is under my command!

I repeat: this plane is under my command!

Go back to your seats! Come on, hurry up!

Do not move! Hands on your head!

Hands up!

Hit the deck!

Come on, come on back!

Nobody move! Understand?

What's going on?

Madam, stay calm.

The plane is being hijacked.

Are you listening to me! Turn east! East!

Air traffic control at Aix to Lufthansa 181.

Air traffic control, Aix-en-Provence at 14:38

Air traffic control at Aix to Lufthansa 181. Answer please.

Air traffic control at Aix to Lufthansa 181. Answer please.

Look, there is a problem with Lufthansa 181.

Palma de Mallorca to Frankfurt?

But it is flying due east for several minutes.

Air traffic control at Aix to Lufthansa 181. Answer please.

Make an announcement: Do not move. Not a sound.

No talking, stay in your seats.

Stay in your seats.

Hurry up.

No talking!

You are now under our control.

Those who disobey will be shot.

You are now under our control.

Don't look at me!

- Those who disobey will be shot.

Do not try to play hero!

Put down the fucking phone!

Go on, go on, hurry up!

Put your hands up! Hands up!

Mr. Chancellor, the Minister of the Interior

wants to speak to you. It's urgent.

Pass him through.

Schmidt.

Does it have to do with Schleyer?

Where?

Rome? Are you sure?

15:37.

Tell Schiller to come. Call an immediate meeting of the Crisis Council.

OK.

Mr. Minister, what do you want us to do

with a team of five men?

That won't scare the terrorists.

This is Lieutenant Colonel Wegener, at your service.

He thinks we can storm the plane with five men!

If it is Maihoffer again, tell him I am not available.

I am out of the office.

Captain Baum, GSG9, Angelar.

Understood.

Yes, of course, I'll do it.

I'll pass it on immediately.

Very well.

What is the matter?

Was it the pope who called or what?

Who else but the Chancellor.

Fiumicino Airport, Rome, 16:00

Please, lower your blind. We are in Rome.

Lower your blind, please.

Your blind please.

Lower your blind.

Come on, hurry up!

You! Don't look at me!

Put your hands up!

Get up!

Move, move, move!

You're not afraid?

No, my son protects me.

Shut up! Close the blind!

Close your blind.

Fascist!

This is Captain Mahmud

of operation "Qafr Qaddoum", of the "Halimeh"unit.

Negative, negative, captain. Please repeat.

Captain Mahmud, of the struggle against imperialism.

The plane of the German company

is under my control.

I repeat, the plane of the German company is under my control.

At this moment a meeting of the Crisis Council is being held in the Federal Chancellory.

The principal security officials have arrived.

We know from reliable sources that there are new developments in the Schleyer case.

Can you tell us something about the situation?

Nothing yet.

Nothing at all?

The demands come from a Captain Mahmud.

It calls for the release of all his comrades imprisoned in the Federal Republic.

How many people are on board?

86 passengers, including 46 women and 11 children,

and 5 crew members.

How many hijackers?

We don't know.

There is only one way to get them out without casualties.

How?

Exchange of hostages.

Who else agrees with this?

I will not permit democracy to be destroyed in this country!

Under no circumstance can we let the plane leave Rome.

I spoke with my Italian colleagues. It will be difficult.

They don't want a bloodbath nor trouble with the Palestinians.

Refueling is completed, we have 11 tons now.

OK, clear for takeoff.

Lufthansa 181 requests clearance for takeoff.

Negative. The airspace is not cleared

for approach or departure.

We need to redirect traffic and this will take time.

Take off! Now!

The plane may not take off. We must stop them at all costs.

I don't know how. Shoot out the tires. Damn it, do something!

Schmidt here.

Hello?

We have been cut off.

No use, they are going to take off.

Mr. Chancellor, Lieutenant Colonel Wegener.

I asked for your file.

For freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and freedom of the press,

for the right to strike, we want to be free men.

It cost you a year and a half of your life.

One and a half years in a STASI prison for a leaflet calling for freedom and democracy.

You are a brave man.

Mr. Chancellor...

13 murders and 43 attempted murders,

Here is the list of prisoners they want us to release.

We must end this spiral of violence.

The nation needs you, Wegener.

For freedom and democracy.

I need two units, that is to say 60 men.

Agreed, Wegener. Thank you.

We go to Cyprus.

Lufthansa 640 here in your vicinity.

Our course is route 60...

Captain Mahmud.

There is another Lufthansa plane on our frequency.

May I ask about the weather in Larnaca?

Go ahead.

Lufthansa 181 for Lufthansa 640. May I have the weather report for Cyprus? - Mahmud?

All is well, thank you.

We need you to come, I have to show you...

Wait.

We need you to come right away.

Lufthansa 640, weather report clear sky over the Mediterranean, no clouds.

on the way winds 30, 05 knots, local weather at Larnaca...

J�rgen, you shouldn't!

I repeat. Sky clear, no clouds Wind 35, TWO MEN, 05 knots,

Larnaca wind 65, TWO WOMEN, 03 knots. Thank you, Lufthansa 640.

If he noticed it, you'd be dead.

What did I tell you? Don't speak in German or I'll shoot you!

And you fucking pilot don't look at me!

We need six days of supplies for 100 people,

medical equipment, stretchers, medicines.

Load everything in the 707 and have it ready for takeoff in an hour.

Good. See you later.

You want to go? Is that right?

R�diger, sit down.

I know it's very hard for you,

but we will do everything possible to free your friend.

Sir, if you need a copilot...

I beg you, please assign me.

I can't take that risk, you are too agitated.

I swear I will do my job well.

Why does it matter to you?

For me, everything is at stake.

OK R�diger, I'll see what I can do.

Thank you.

Can you stop your work and assemble here?

Now listen to me.

Men, we are going to Cyprus.

The Minister of the Interior is negotiating for our intervention with the local authorities.

I can not guarantee that you will all return home alive.

If anyone of you does not want to go, please speak up.

I will understand.

Thank you, guys.

I do not need to draw a picture for you.

We have been training for five years.

Back to work.

Larnaca Airport, 22:30

What is the matter?

I must go...

Just ask.

You heard what they said? They'll kill us if we move.

For toilets, it's different. How do I say it in English? Can I go to toilet?

- Hey, get back to your seat! Can't I go to the toilet?

Toilets...

Get back to your seat!

Sit down! Sit down!

Get back to your seat!

...Bunch of pigs! Leeches!

Hands up!

Shut up!

I count on you to do everything that is necessary.

Well?

The plane is off.

And Wegener?

Diverted to Ankara.

Olaf, find me any place

where the terrorists are likely to disembark.

Good.

And Mr. psychologist, how do you judge the current situation?

We must absolutely make them feel

that we want to negotiate,

stall them, seek a way to deescalate,

and most importantly put in place a complete news embargo.

Is it true that, due to a leak, the press has learned that we sent

experts from the Federal Criminal Police and the GSG 9 to Cyprus?

If that's true, tomorrow it will be in all the newspapers.

Allow me, Mr. Chancellor. We should publish some announcement to divert attention from that.

No.

No, we have to stop them from publishing it.

Lufthansa 181 requests landing clearance for Airport Beirut.

Airport Beirut to Lufthansa 181, you have no landing clearance for Beirut Airport

What now? We are short of fuel.

Try Bahrein, try somewhere, but land now!

Something wrong?

No, all is well.

I'm quite tired.

You have to calm down a little, Souhayla. She is upset.

Dubai Airport, October 14, 6:00

Captain Martyr Mahmud,

Here is Sheik Mohammed bin Rachid Al-Maktoum speaking.

I am Defense Minister of the United Arab Emirates.

Go ahead.

Are you willing to let all the passengers go?

No.

Let women and children go?

No.

Have they agreed to exchange the hostages?

No.

No!

And now you listen to me!

If you don't release all our comrades from the totalitarian German prisons,

before Sunday October 16, at 8 am,

I will blow up this fucking plane!

Don't look at me like that!

Give me the list of passengers. Find the Jews, the Zionist traitors.

Do you hear me?

Give me that fucking list now!

The passports.

Well Helmut, do you really want to carry through with the GSG 9?

The hijackers' ultimatum expires Sunday morning.

We have only 48 hours.

That's our only chance.

How are we going to get the Arabs to agree to that?

We are going to send someone

who knows them better than anyone else.

And who might that be?

You.

You, come, come.

Mommy.

Do not worry, dear.

Move.

Do not worry.

Please, sit down.

What is this?

It is my pen.

What is THIS?

It's the logo...

I can't hear you.

It's the logo of the company, it's a mountain.

...In Switzerland, it's called...

No, no, no.

You are a good liar.

That isn't a Swiss mountain, it's the Star of David.

You are a fucking dirty Jew.

I am not a Jew.

On your knees!

Shut up! Shut up!

Don't make a fucking sound, or else...

Who is the fucking Jew in your family?

No one.

Don't fucking lie to me!

I am not lying.

You Jews have killed my people!

I am not Jewish.

Me, I am a Jew. I know.

Are you kidding me! You think I don't recognize them!

I survived the Nazis, now these fools are going to kill me.

When they see my passport, how many times I went to Israel,

they will recognize me.

So listen to me. You are Catholic, you often go to Jerusalem.

You are very religious, you frequently visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

You go on pilgrimage, and for that you need to land in Israel.

Go ahead!

Get back to your fucking seat! Sit down!

Is that your fucking son?

Are you a miserable little Jew too?

I am going to kill you OK, just as you kill my people every day!

I have to go home.

Sit down.

What is the matter with you!

What the fuck is the matter with you? Didn't I tell you fucking not to move?

Don't you fucking understand?

Don't fucking move. I'll teach you to obey you piece of shit!

Leave him alone, please.

Shut up!

Shut the fuck up, understand?

Is there any other Jew on this fucking plane?

Any fucking other Jew in my plane?

Are you a Jew?

You look Jewish.

Who the fuck wants to die first?

She is Jewish.

Gr�newald?

That's a Jewish name.

I'm not Jewish.

I will kill you tomorrow.

The Jewish bitch will be executed tomorrow morning at 8 o'clock.

Mr. Runow, can you confirm the rumor

that the hostages will be exchanged?

No comment.

There are only 41 hours left.

I know, I requested 10 million in cash from the Federal Bank

in case that will make someone there happy.

I decided to have a psychologist accompany you.

I do not need a clairvoyant.

Calm down, Hans J�rgen, Wegener will join you.

You have my full confidence.

Thank you, Mr. Chancellor.

I will delegate you all the necessary powers to achieve our goal.

All?

All.

Come on, captain. You are the master of life and death.

You have the power.

Show us your power.

Show mercy. Let her go.

Let her go.

Get up!

Give me the phone.

Go!

Here is Captain Mahmud.

I have an important message.

I will not execute the Jewish bitch. She gets my mercy.

Hey! Shut up!

Ankara, Turkey, 16:00

Mr. Wegener?

Hello, my name is R�ller.

Attach� of the embassy of the Federal Republic.

I have an appointment with Wischnewski and my men should fly home?

What is this nonsense?

It is for the press, to calm the game. It's time to deescalate.

Baum, take care of the match.

I have to go call.

Dubai Airport, October 14, 20:00

Mr. Wischnewski, what do you expect from the government of the United Arab Emirates?

Sir, did your government send you to negotiate the exchange of hostages?

Dubai Airport, Saturday, October 15, 1977

What day is today?

Saturday the 15th.

Go.

Today is Anna-Maria's birthday.

She is 28.

Captain Mahmud.

Our stewardess Anna-Maria has her birthday today.

How old?

28.

We could try to get her a birthday cake.

It would also be good for the passengers. It would cheer them up.

Yes. Yes, that's a good idea. call the tower.

Lufthansa 181 to the control tower.

We hear you.

One of our stewardesses has a birthday today.

Maybe you could give us a cake or something?

OK, we try our very best.

One more thing. We have problems with our APU.

We are short on fuel.

The APU is a generator that provides the pressure

for the electricity and the air conditioning.

Negative. Sorry negative. Refueling is not possible.

And when the fuel runs out?

The AC will fail, then the radio,

then the water, and it will be hell.

Is it the same organization which was reponsible for Entebbe last year?

Yes. The PFLP. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Plalestine.

A former Arab nationalist group, a Marxist-Leninist splinter group of the PLO.

They collaborate with virtually all western terrorist groups.

The head of the PFLP is one of the most dangerous terrorists in the world.

Take a look. Dr. Wadi Haddad. Alias: Abu Hani.

Haddad is responsible for the overseas operations of the PFLP.

Everyone calls him "The Master".

We are pressed for time.

We have an ultimatum.

Try to contact East Berlin.

What about Moscow?

We are dealing with it.

Baghdad, October 15, 1977

Mr. Ambassador, we believe that the Germans will employ a special unit.

In no case will we allow another Entebbe.

Sunday at 12:00, my people will continue their journey.

They will fly to Aden.

Once there, they will be with our friends in South Yemen,

and we will have a free hand.

Don't worry about that.

I must warn you.

Moscow hopes the matter will run smoothly.

You have no margin of error, so to say.

Comrade, I have thought of everything. You have nothing to fear.

In a surprise visit to Dubai Minister of State Wischnewski

tries to make contact with the terrorists aboard the Lufthansa plane

Wischnewski arrived in Dubai at midnight and met with the officials of the Emirates...

Now I'll ask you some questions, my friend.

And if you lie to me, I will shoot you in the eye.

First the left, then the right.

Or maybe first right.

Did you smuggle some information out of this plane?

Left or right?

Yes.

You think I'm fucking stupid? An idiot?

I know exactly what information you smuggled.

Go into the middle of the cabin.

Stop there!

Look at me.

Now on your fucking knees.

Hands up.

Your captain betrayed you.

He smuggled information out of this plane.

He risked your life.

Come on, tell us!

Did you risk the life of all passengers?

Yes.

Louder! Louder! Everyone here should hear that you are a traitor.

Yes.

Yes, who?

Yes, Captain Mahmud.

Yes, Captain Mahmud, I am a traitor!

Yes, Captain Mahmud, I am a traitor.

Did you hear this? It is true.

Your capitain is guilty.

He risked your lives.

Where did you learn to fly?

In the army, Captain Mahmud.

In the army?

Now lets see what you did learn in the army.

Get up.

Attention!

Left flank! March, 1, 2, 3, stop! Left flank!

Now on your fucking knees again.

Hands up.

Walk, walk to me!

1, 2, 3, I am a traitor.

I am a traitor.

I am a fucking traitor.

I am a fucking traitor.

I risked the lives of all my passengers.

I risked the lives of all my passengers.

May I come closer?

Walk!

Stop! Right flank!

Walk!

Left flank!

Right, left, right!

Right, left, right, left...

Left, right, left, right!

Captain Mahmud!

The cake.

Go! Push!

Push! You sit down here.

Listen to me everybody!

Nobody is allowed to speak with this guy!

Look at him!

You! Get up!

I have to kill somebody, or else I'll go crazy.

Hurry.

Dear passengers,

today is the birthday of our stewardess Anna-Maria.

Come on, blow!

Come on, applause. Bravo!

Happy birthday to you!

Come on smile. You must be very happy.

Why are you crying?

Smile! Smile!

Sing the song!

Yo! Yo! Shut up!

Shut the fuck up!

You, sing the song!

Louder!

Happy birthday, all!

Snitch!

I trusted you.

I'll take care of you later.

Now we're going to enjoy the cake.

Well?

I saw her through a crack in the front door.

How is she? What impression did she make on you?

She is well.

They are still arguing about it.

It will work out.

They refuse to let our guys in.

They don't want trouble with the Palestinians.

And we will accept that?

Yes.

A nice piece of cake.

Everybody have a glass of champagne.

We relax! Enjoy! Come on guys, smile! Champagne, cake, happiness!

It's her birthday,

What is it?

I don't know.

What happened?

The electric generator is down.

Soon it will get really hot.

Mayer, of Frankfurter Rundschau,

Mr. Chancellor, what is the situation

with regard to the plane?

What position will you take?

I really want to know what my situation is

whether anything is still happening

whether Bonn has finally reached a decision

It's now five and a half weeks that I have been in the hands of the terrorists.

All this because for many years I have been at the service of the state,

its liberal and democratic order; which made me a target.

Sometimes I get the feeling that a decision made for purely political reasons

is making a mockery of my fate.

May I have a little bit more water?

I'm sorry, for now I can't give more than half a glass per person.

I can not breathe.

Now really...!

You drank my water!

That's not true! You drank my water!

No, that's fine.

You drank my water!

Hey! Shut up!

Calm down, please, stop!

You're welcome.

Calm down, when there is noise, it irritates the captain.

Shh, or I'll kill you.

Grandmother, where is my flashlight?

Check the overhead bin.

Well, OK, I'll go.

Gaby!

It is very important for us to get more time.

and deescalate the situation in the plane.

Therefore they need fuel for the...

What is it called?

APU.

for the APU.

And water.

And please I beg you, let me know your decision.

I hereby wish to clearly express, regarding any attempted blackmail

"regarding"... no,

in case of an attemped blackmail against the Federal Republic and its citizens

If I, Helmut Schmidt or my wife, Hannelore Schmidt,

were to fall into the hands of kidnappers or terrorists

or some other criminal organization of a similar nature

attempting to blackmail the Federal Republic,

we ask you not to acquiesce to the demands of the kidnappers

nor to agree to any form of exchange.

Dubai Airport, Sunday, October 16, 1977

Mr. Minister.

How long have I been asleep?

Barely half an hour. The Arabs have refueled the plane.

They are allowing them to fly away.

Come with me.

What are you going to tell them?

"At least let the children go".

The British have provided some information to the intelligence services.

According to an important Soviet defector, there is a KGB agent within the PFLP.

Codename: "Nationalist".

Do we know who he is?

Dr. Wadi Haddad.

This means that the Soviets are behind the hijacking.

They were from the beginning.

Haddad trains members of the RAF.

He works closely with the East Germans.

Soviet imperialism against the German fascists.

In effect, the RAF are their puppets.

Any news about Schleyer?

Call Harold.

Mr. Chancellor.

The Lufthansa plane just took off for Aden.

Aden?

They are under Soviet control?

Yes.

Call a meeting of the Crisis Council.

Aden International Airport Sunday, October 16

Lufthansa 181

We need landing clearance for Airport Aden.

Aden Airport is closed. I repeat : Aden Airport is closed.

Lufthansa 181, again. We need landing clearance for Airport Aden.

They have blocked the runways.

Lufthansa 181. We need landing clearance. We have fuel for only 15 minutes.

No way to reach any other airport.

The runways are blocked. You do not have landing permission.

There are more and more of them.

This is Captain Mahmud.

We are determined, we just need to refuel.

The main runway is blocked.

So is the emergency runway and the parking runway.

The strip between the two runways, that's the only possibility.

Go for it.

Gaby, we are going to crash land. Prepare the passengers.

Yes, I understand.

What's going on?

We are low on fuel. No more than four or five minutes.

This is the captain speaking. We are going to make an emergency landing.

Please follow the instructions of the cabin crew and remain calm.

Give me your glasses, remove your dentures.

Put yourselves immediately in this position.

Lufthansa 181 to control tower Aden.

We are a hijacked German airplane.

This is an emergency case. We do not have any more fuel to reach another airport.

You are not allowed to land on airport runway.

We are going to land now, even if you shoot us.

Cabin crew, ready for touchdown.

Take your seat, sir. It is too dangerous.

Fasten your seat belt!

You're crazy, we don't have enough fuel!

If he isn't fastened, he will hit the throttles.

Good luck!

We have had a good life.

Yes, but damned short.

Full throttle reverse! Full throttle reverse!

No one hurt?

What does this mean?

Why didn't you allow our comrades to land?

I warn you,

I will inform the embassy of the USSR and you will regret this!

Take me to the Soviet embassy.

This is a German airplane. We had an emergency landing.

We come in peace. Don't shoot. We're friendly.

Where are our people? They are supposed to be waiting for us.

You are not allowed in the airport.

Why, what's going on?

What do you want me to do? The president changed his mind.

Haddad, where is Haddad? What am I going to do now?

Embassy of the USSR, Baghdad.

...Haddad.

Excuse me.

Dr Haddad, what are you doing here?

It is against our rules.

It is problematic for us to be seen together.

I called you. I tried all day.

The situation in Aden disturbs me a lot.

Listen, my friend.

The Republic of South Yemen is a sovereign state.

What do you want me to do?

If you do not help us,

our friends won't have any choice but to blow up the plane.

Dr. Haddad, I have already told you several times

Moscow is strongly opposed to terrorism now.

Please excuse me.

It's OK?

Yes, it's OK.

We checked everything. Everything is all right, sir.

Could I have that car over there?

OK.

It's not possible!

All they want is to get rid of us.

Captain Mahmud, the engineers claim that everything is all right

but that's not enough for me as the captain.

I need to check it myself.

You come back.

Otherwise I blow up the plane.

OK.

Go ahead.

The tire pressure on that wheel seems OK.

That one too.

The landing gear seems to be in good condition, but without trying it...

What are you going to do?

Try to discuss.

Hey, stop!

I am the captain.

The captain of the kidnapped airplane.

What do you want?

We can not take off. No way.

I must talk to an official person, please.

Call the General Staff. The captain wants to talk.

Go with him.

Where is the captain?

Hey, where is the captain?

I don't know. But I'm sure he will be back soon.

Schumann. I am the captain.

Sheik Ahmed, Minister of the Air Force.

Where are you Captain Schumann?

Bring him back! Or I will blow up the plane.

We want him back now, now!

Nobody knows if the undercarriage is OK after this landing.

The engines have sucked in too much sand.

They are not secure any more.

Please refuse us the clearance for takeoff.

You have no more than 10 minutes!

Listen, Sheik Ahmed.

It is my responsibility to save the lives of the hostages.

I beseech you, don't let the plane go.

I'm afraid we can't help you.

You must.

You can save the lives of

Hey, quiet down!

Don't you see that I'm speaking!

I can't help you.

We don't want to get involved in this conflict.

Please sir, I beg you.

Save my passengers.

I'm sorry.

OK.

You're a brave man, captain.

If you go back now, they will kill you.

I am going back. I did what I had to do.

Go with him.

We are bringing him back.

Your captain is a deserter!

He risked your lives for his own fucking life!

They bring him back

and I will shoot him

because he is a fucking traitor.

Hands up!

On your knees!

This is a revolutionary trial.

I accuse you of treason.

Against your passengers!

and against me.

You have risked that everyone here will be blown up.

You already betrayed me once.

I won't forgive you the second time.

Do you plead guilty or not guilty?

Excuse me, Captain Martyr Mahmud.

The problem was that...

I ask you a second time.

Do you plead guilty or not guilty?

Excuse me, Captain Mahmud. May I speak to you sir?

Stop crying, or you will be shot.

Refueling is finished.

Now go. Go.

I'll tell you something. What we're doing here is complete suicide.

Lets go.

See that?

Lack of thrust in the engines.

They're not starting properly.

Schumann was right. There's sand inside.

How the hell are we supposed to follow them, if we don't even know where they're going.

They are flying to Somalia.

How do you know that?

What other place could they possibly go to?

I need my men.

Where do want to send them to?

In the vicinity.

You help. You help!

The Russians don't want to get their hands dirty.

We saw this clearly in Aden.

Haddad had certainly not expected that.

Harold, it doesn't matter whether or not Haddad is a KGB agent.

Nor whether the RAF are puppets of East Berlin or Moscow.

However, one thing is certain.

If anyone is harmed in this operation,

I will resign.

Mogadishu Airport, October 17, 6:34

What can I do for you, sir?

I need the tower frequency, please.

OK, I'll get it.

You can go, if you want.

I'll let you go. You are a free man.

No, I want to stay.

I will stay with the others.

Around 6:20, the hijacked Lufthansa plane, which left Aden,

has landed in Mogadishu without permission,

according to the Somali Minister of Information.

The hijackers have given us a new ultimatum.

At 5 pm local time, that is 3 pm our time,

Where is GSG 9?

In Crete.

Send them there right away. Every minute counts.

Since 6:34, local time,

the Lufthansa plane has been here at Mogadishu Airport.

Around 8:30, the hijackers asked for an ambulance.

At this moment they threw the corpse of a crew member down a slide

Mrs. Schumann!

How do you feel? Is it true...

that the dead crew member is your husband?

Let her through, let her through.

Stay back.

I can not tell you how I feel.

I thank you that have taken the time to see me.

You are welcome.

Mrs. Schumann, I want to let you know...

that if by some miracle, we succeed in freeing the hostages alive

it will only be because your husband's sacrificing his life enabled us to do so.

We have just learned that the Minister of State, Hans J�rgen Wischnewski,

is going directly to see the president General Syad Barr�.

Mr. President, we have only one hour and 32 minutes remaining

We can not waste any more time.

For the president, the intervention of German special forces

on Somali soil, is absolutely out of the question.

Also this morning he gave the order

to Somali forces to prepare an assault.

Mr. President, without the intervention of special forces,

such an assault is doomed to failure.

The President has full confidence in the Somali security forces.

Moreover, he invites you to see for yourself...

After spending a few hours in the parking area,

the plane is now changing its position for unexplained reasons.

This is General Abdullahi,

commander of the police. Can you repeat your message? Over.

I repeat: there is no change

We are going to blow up the plane exactly at the deadline.

I repeat: we are going to blow up the airplane in 1 hour and 29 minutes exactly.

Your government refused to accept our demands.

So we are all going to die together.

Boom, together, boom!

All the women, take off your nylons, and hand them over.

Souhayla

All your nylons, give me your nylons!

Come on, give me your nylons!

What?

Give me this. This!

Take it off.

I want this! Now!

Souhayla!

Quick! Quick!

Get up!

You really can't do anything?

No matter what, just something.

Mom, how does it feel when you die?

I'm like you, honey. I don't know.

I don't know.

So we approach the 737 from the rear of the airplane.

We have two teams at the rear doors.

And then we go over the wings with two teams to the escape hatches.

And we have two teams at the forward entries, and we have a sniper over there.

Stop, stop, stop.

It doesn't work like this.

Once you are in front of a door, you have to be fast.

Baum, come here. We'll show you.

You see?

This is the only way.

We can do a joint operation. You help us, we help you. Together.

You understand? We must do it together.

We will die together.

We will all die together.

No, Mahmud, no...

We have half an hour left,

and then we see us in another world.

I can't stand this!

All these fucking politicians, have abandoned us.

They are going to let us die.

Captain Martyr Mahmud speaking.

Everything is ready to blow up the airplane.

We are going to have 12 minutes to our deadline.

Then you will hear a big boom and the airplane flying into a thousand pieces.

Did you get my message?

All right, sir. I will inform my authorities. Please stand by.

If your men storm the plane,

and something goes wrong, who will assume responsibility?

I will assume the responsibility.

I will inform the President of our joint operation.

I have been given the opportunity to speak one last time from the cockpit

I hope you can hear me in the tower

and that you will convey my message to appropriate officials

and also the Chancellor..

We know now that we are going to die.

It will be very hard

but we will try to die bravely.

We are too young to die, even the oldest among us,

but perhaps it is better to die than live in a world

where it is more important to keep 9 people in prison

rather than saving the lives of 91 others.

Please tell my family that it wasn't too bad.

And tell my friend, R�diger von Lutzau, that I love him.

Tell my family that I love them too

[Passengers reciting the Lord's Prayer. ]

Mr. Wischnewski.

Just listen to this sentence.

What is it?

- Evacuate all the soldiers, - This

- ... and all the equipment around the airplane.

This sentence.

We do not want any trouble with the Somali people

I can not guarantee this,

but it does not seem that a man about to blow himself up.

would care to save the equipment likely to blow up with him.

Yes, but what does that mean?

We can get some more time.

Good. That leaves us a small opportunity.

Let them blow up their fucking bombs and be done with it.

Let them finally decide. I can not stand it.

Captain Martyr Mahmud?

Here is General Abdullahi again.

I have a message from President Syad Barr� for you.

Please answer.

This is Captain Martyr Mahmud. Please talk, Mr. Police.

I would like to ask you to give us 30 minutes more

to evacuate the area, and to move everything from the other side of the plane.

I will have to ask my unit first.

Please do that, sir.

Why are you silent?

Haven't you noticed that the people are all tired?

Answer me!

Here is Captain Mahmud.

Because you are not able to evacuate the area on time

I accept the extension of the deadline by 30 minutes only

for Mr. President Syad Barr�, - Mr. Wishnewski.

the Somali government and the Somali people

The President has agreed to the action.

You may proceed.

Where is Wegener?

Where is Wegener?

Wegener! Look! Good news!

What is it?

We have full authority to proceed.

You have a green light.

My men will be here in one and a half hours.

Good.

When does the ultimatum end?

Let that be my concern.

The Somalis will pretend that there is normal air traffic

so that the GSG 9 can land unnoticed.

We need to gain a little more time.

Agreed.

So we can simply tell them

that we will free the prisonners.

Then we can drag out the negotiations arguing about details.

That is exactly what I intended to do.

You know, I'm starting to like you. Let's go.

Mr. Martyr Mahmud.

Can you hear me?

I am the German Charg� d'Affaires.

I am not "Mr. " Mahmud.

I am Captain Martyr Mahmud.

Yes, sir. Captain Martyr Mahmud.

I have an important message for you. I'll read it very slowly.

Go ahead.

Listen Captain,

We're going to let your German comrades free.

Understand? We let your German comrades free.

But we need some time.

Listen.

I don't believe this! We win!

Hurray! Victory!

Victory! Victory!

You will live! We will live!

The German government accepts to exchange the German comrades.

They will land at night at 1:30. In Mogadishu!

Victory!

Victory!

Hey, stop!

No smoking.

One spark and we go up!

Wegener here, can you hear me?

Affirmative.

Pay close attention.

The Lufthansa plane is right on the landing runway.

at the position of the control tower.

You must descend rapidly to the end of the runway.

Make an immediate left and stop. Someone will be waiting for you there. Did you get that?

Got it.

OK, good luck. Over.

Fortunately the Somalis are simulating normal air traffic.

You have to move your fingers like this.

So that the blood can flow again.

Jana, you have to move your fingers.

Hey, how many hours from Germany to here?

8 hours.

8 hours?

That's what the German fascist said. 8 hours.

OK, very good. Three hours left.

8 hours, OK.

3 hours left.

Listen to me very carefully.

Our mission is to storm the airplane.

Our main goal is to save the hostages.

To do this, we need to neutralize our adversaries. We have brought the necessary equipment with us.

We have to proceed quickly and ruthlessly. We have trained enough already for this.

One final instruction:

If one of you dies, so does one of the terrorists.

You do not have body armor?

The ministry only gave us 30 vests.

How is your son?

Good

He will go to kindergarten at the end of this year.

Take it.

Synchronize your watches.

It is exactly 19:43.

I am cold. I am very, very cold.

We need Somali soldiers to guard the building

to keep out the press if things go wrong.

I will see to it.

So, have you briefed your boys?

Mr. Wischnewski?

Yes.

A telephone call from Germany.

Yes, Helmut.

Yes, immediately.

Wegener, the Chancellor.

Wegener.

Wegener, I assume all responsibility.

I order you to carry out the mission immediately.

Very well, Mr. Chancellor. We are ready.

Attention.

On one knee.

Light the fire.

Everybody ready?

In 10 minutes they will start.

Ok.

Lets go. We will put the exchange process on center stage.

Mahmud, look. There is a fire outside.

Perhaps it's cold outside.

Arise.

Lets go.

Captain Martyr Mahmud.

Here is Michael Libal, representative of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Can you hear me?

Go ahead.

I want to ask you, Captain,

if you have any concrete suggestions regarding the exchange of hostages

that we haven't discussed before? Over.

Shit. The copilot is in the cockpit.

Wait.

Here, read this to them.

Ok.

The comrades should come separately..

Tomorrow you will be at home with your wife.

Maybe you should get some rest.

Well received.

Yes, Captain Mahmud. That's a very good idea.

Now! Set off the flash grenades!

Go ahead.

Heads down! Take cover! Down!

Tango 1 neutralized.

Tango 2 neutralized.

Tango 3 neutralized.

There should be four. One is missing.

Tango 4 neutralised.

Go, get out, get out fast!

Come on, hurry up!

Quickly!

Get down! Get down!

Go, go!

Sit down.

Quickly, quickly, sit down.

Mr. Chancellor, Mr. Wischnewski.

Schmidt here. Schmidt here!

I'm listening.

Please speak slowly and loudly.

The mission is accomplished.

How many dead?

Give me Wegener.

Colonel, I thank you.

Mr. Schmidt?

Everybody here?

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Good work, gentlemen.

Do not leave anything lying around. Baum, you are responsible.

- And now, return to the plane. - Yes, Lieutenant Colonel.

I never ceased following you ever, all the time.

I love you.

Bravo for your courage.

Is he on board, the little one?

Long live free Palestine! Long live free Palestine!

In the early morning hours, the imprisoned terrorists of the RAF, Andreas Baader, Gudrun Ensslin et Jan-Cart Raspe, whose release had been demanded, committed suicide in Stammheim Prison in Stuttgart.

In the night between October 18 and 19, 1977 Hanns Martin Schleyer was killed by his kidnappers. His body was found in the trunk of a car in Mulhouse, Alsace on October 19.

Five months later, on March 28, 1978 Wadi Haddad died in a hospital in East Berlin, allegedly from leukemia. His body was returned to Baghdad, and he was given a state funeral.

The airplane "Landshut", which was damaged during the freeing of the hostages, was repaired and flew for Lufthansa for several more years under the same name. Today it serves as a cargo aircraft in South America.

In memory of J�rgen Schumann