The Assault

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The Assault

R

Released Apr 6, 2012

1h 31m

Action

Mystery & Thriller

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53%

Tomatometer

15 Reviews

46%

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2,500+ Ratings

Members of a French counterterrorism unit spring into action when four heavily armed Islamic extremists hijack a Paris-bound Air France flight on Christmas Eve 1994.

Derek Malcolm

London Evening Standard

Shot in black and white, it is well made and helped by copious research.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 20, 2012

Full Review

Phelim O'Neill

Guardian

The kind of serious, adult action movie that the US and UK struggle to make.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 19, 2012

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David Jenkins

Little White Lies

A very robust piece of filmmaking with subtle shades of moral complexity to boot.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 19, 2012

Full Review

Jordan M. Smith

IONCINEMA.com

Based on the real life airliner hijacking that took place on December 24, 1994 in Algiers, director Julien Leclercq's sophomore effort does little more than make you wish you were watching any number of better hostage/terrorist films.

Feb 9, 2020

Full Review

Philip French

Observer (UK)

The staging is meticulous.

Apr 22, 2012

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Ethan Alter

Television Without Pity

Curiously lacking in tension.

Apr 6, 2012

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Wolle C

Plain stupid. And would someone please buy the cinematographer a tripod?

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

06/07/21

Full Review

Audience Member

A very well made true to life story about what happened on the Air France airplane hijack incident last December 1994. Thinking it is well detailed with all the drama and gunshots inside that plane when the GIGN swat team rescued the entire crew and passenger inside the plane. Awesome performances reminds me of watching Captain Philipps again. 3.5 out of 5

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

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Audience Member

true story,french sas,terrorists,plane.emotional and action edge of your seat ending.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

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Audience Member

nada. It had some ok reviews but I watched it on netflix and it was overdubbed...badly. maybe that was the main problem but didn't hold my attention. I paid too much attention to the annoying overdub

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

Uninspiring movie about the true events of the Air France terrorist hostage situation when they tried it crash into the Eiffel Tower

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

02/05/23

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Audience Member

A kind of film that Hollywood would kindly provide high budget and turn into over-heated meal.Lucky,this film is made in France,it's a decent flicks and thrilling enough. The 90 mins of The Assault is mainly focus on dealing with the terrorists and just a short character developed for one of the Counter-Forces,I can clearly see why they gave a short credit for him when the ending is revealed their life after the case is closed.The tension is up and down,but the final act will edge your sit and amount of thrill will increase rapidly.No over-explosive or stylish gun fights.Yes,the camera is spinning in some parts,but it works and balance the thrill level during the "Counter-Strike" duel. I repeat,the entire film is a decent ride and has it's moment,unless you are massively brain-washed by today's "Fashion more than Film",then forget it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

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Julien Leclercq

Director

Vincent Elbaz

Thierry

Grégori Derangère

Commandant Denis Favier

Mélanie Bernier

Carole

Aymen Saidi

Yahia

Chems Dahmani

Mustapha

Critics Consensus: American Reunion Is A Decent Get-Together

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Synopsis

Members of a French counterterrorism unit spring into action when four heavily armed Islamic extremists hijack a Paris-bound Air France flight on Christmas Eve 1994.

Director: Julien Leclercq
Distributor: Screen Media Ventures
Production Co: Labyrinthe Films, Mars Films
Rating: R (Violence)
Genre: Action, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: Canadian French
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 6, 2012, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 25, 2017
Runtime: 1h 31m

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