Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Assault (2010)The Assault L'Assaut hijacking of Air France Flight 8969 and the operation mounted by the Groupe d'Intervention de la Gendarmerie Nationale (GIGN) to rescue the hostages before the terrorists can use the plane in a suicide attack. Directed by Julien Leclercq, The Assault was made with the collaboration and advice of the GIGN.
The following weapons were used in the film The Assault (L'Assaut) :
Handguns Manurhin MR-73 Manurhin MR-73 revolvers are used by most of the GIGN officers, including Thierry (Vincent Elbaz ). Officers use the "Defense", "Police" and "Gendarmerie" models in various barrel lengths.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Manurhin MR-73 Gendarmerie with three inch barrel, rubber grips and adjustable sights Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GIGN officer holds a Manurhin MR-73 Defense with a 4-inch barrel. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GIGN officer points his MR-73 Gendarmerie at Thierry (posing as a terrorist) during a practice drill. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Manurhin MR-73 Police with 2.5 inch barrel Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GIGN officer points a MR-73 Police with a 2.5-inch barrel when the plane is stormed. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Manurhin MR73 Sport with 5.25 inch barrel. This model isn't used in the movie. Error creating thumbnail: File missing GIGN officers load their MR-73 Gendarmerie revolvers. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Thierry fires his MR-73 Gendarmerie at a shooting range. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GIGN officer fires his MR-73 during the shootout with the hijackers. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The GIGN officer continues to fire while lying flat on the floor. Glock 17 A GIGN officer uses a Glock 17 when raiding a house at the beginning of the film. These events took place in 1994, before the arrival of the 3rd gen of Glock pistols.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 3rd Generation Glock 17 - 9x19mm. Note the finger grooves, thumb reliefs, and accessory rail on the frame, which differentiate it from the older model. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The GIGN officer left of the door holds a Glock 17 as a breaching charge is detonated. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Thierry bursts through the door while the officer with the Glock follows him. Makarov PM Yahia (Aymen Saïdi ), leader of the Groupe Islamique Armé (GIA) terrorists who hijack Flight 8969, uses a Makarov PM throughout the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Russian Makarov PM - 9x18mm Makarov Error creating thumbnail: File missing Yahia threatens a passenger with the Makarov while he tells him their demands. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Makarov is pointed at Flight 8969's Captain. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Yahia fires the Makarov at point-blank range. Heckler & Koch USP One of the hijackers uses a Heckler & Koch USP , an unlikely choice given that the USP was a newly-introduced weapon at the time.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Heckler & Koch USP - 9x19mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing The hijacker draws his USP as the GIA terrorists seize the plane. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The hijacker orders the passengers to remain silent. SIG-Sauer P228 When the hijacked jet is stormed, a GIGN officer uses a SIG-Sauer P228 as his backup gun after running out of ammunition for his MR-73.
During the real facts, one of these Sig saved a GIGN member's life: a hijacker fired a round on the operator, which was deviated by his P228. The round hit the front of the gun on the guide rod, exploded the frame and left the gun near the trigger, cutting the right index of the GIGN member (who stayed in the Group 14 years longer as an instructor).
Error creating thumbnail: File missing SIG-Sauer P228 - 9x19mm. This is a really well worn movie blank adapted gun Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GIGN officer points a P228 as he advances down the aisle. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GIGN officer fires a P228 after he runs out of ammo for his MR-73. Shotguns Double-Barreled Shotgun A 12 Gauge Double Barreled Shotgun is used by a suicidal gunman at the beginning of the film.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing 1960s Era Commercial Stevens hammerless side by side shotgun - 12 Gauge. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The gunman attempts to shoot himself with a shotgun. Mossberg 590 A GIGN officer can seen pumping a Mossberg 590 shotgun when preparing for the rescue mission.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Mossberg 590 - 12 Gauge. Without heat shield. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The GIGN officer pumps his Mossberg 590 shotgun. Submachine Guns Heckler & Koch MP5A3 Heckler & Koch MP5A3 submachine guns with Navy trigger groups, laser aiming modules and flashlights are used by GIGN officers when they storm the hijacked jet.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with Navy trigger group - 9x19mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing Thierry holds a MP5A3 with a RIS handguard and laser aiming module. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Thierry enters a barricaded house. Error creating thumbnail: File missing GIGN officers rehearse their assault in a plane identical to the hijacked one. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A GIGN team rehearse the assault. Error creating thumbnail: File missing GIGN officers exchange fire with the terrorists. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The GIGN officers advance towards the cockpit. IMI Micro Uzi A Micro Uzi is used by one of the hijackers. After he is wounded, Yahia takes his Micro Uzi and fires it at the GIGN officers boarding the jet.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing IMI Micro Uzi with bent trigger guard - 9x19mm Error creating thumbnail: File missing The Micro Uzi lies next to the terrorist's disguise. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The hijacker brandishes a Micro Uzi while yelling at the passengers. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The hijacker fires the Micro Uzi. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Yahia yells as he grabs the Micro Uzi. Error creating thumbnail: File missing Yahia blindly fires the Micro Uzi through the cockpit wall. Rifles AIMR A Romanian AIMR is used by the hijackers to execute a hostage, and later during a lengthy gun battle with the GIGN. The GIA gunmen who take Carole (Mélanie Bernier ) to a meeting with the leader of their French wing are also armed AIMRs .
Error creating thumbnail: File missing AIMR - 7.62x39mm. The original Romanian designation for this rifle is the PM md. 90 cu țeavă scurtă (short barrelled). Error creating thumbnail: File missing A hijacker holds the AIMR. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The hijackers prepare to kill a hostage. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The AIMR is fired. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The hijacker blind fires the AIMR. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A masked gunman points an AIMR. MAS FR F1 GIGN sniper teams use MAS FR F1 sniper rifles.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing MAS FR F1 Sniper Rifle - 7.5mm French Error creating thumbnail: File missing An officer checks his FR F1. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The GIGN snipers cut open a bolt to access the roof of an aircraft hangar. Error creating thumbnail: File missing GIGN snipers aim FR F1s from a Puma helicopter. Error creating thumbnail: File missing The GIGN sniper team cover the assaulters as they approach the plane. Other Hand Grenades The terrorists have hand grenades attached to their belts when they hijack the plane. A grenade is later thrown at the GIGN officers when they approach the cockpit.
Error creating thumbnail: File missing The passengers realize they are being hijacked when they spot grenades on the terrorists' belts. Error creating thumbnail: File missing A grenade lies on the floor after being tossed by a hijacker. 
