The Assault (French Title: L'Assaut) is a 2010 drama film about the 1994 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.
Manurhin MR-73 Gendarmerie with three inch barrel, rubber grips and adjustable sights
A GIGN officer holds a Manurhin MR-73 Defense with a 4-inch barrel.
A GIGN officer points his MR-73 Gendarmerie at Thierry (posing as a terrorist) during a practice drill.
Manurhin MR-73 Police with 2.5 inch barrel
A GIGN officer points a MR-73 Police with a 2.5-inch barrel when the plane is stormed.
Manurhin MR73 Sport with 5.25 inch barrel. This model isn't used in the movie.
GIGN officers load their MR-73 Gendarmerie revolvers.
Thierry fires his MR-73 Gendarmerie at a shooting range.
A GIGN officer fires his MR-73 during the shootout with the hijackers.
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.
3rd Generation Glock 17 - 9x19mm. Note the finger grooves, thumb reliefs, and accessory rail on the frame, which differentiate it from the older model.
The GIGN officer left of the door holds a Glock 17 as a breaching charge is detonated.
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.
Russian
Makarov PM - 9x18mm Makarov
Yahia threatens a passenger with the Makarov while he tells him their demands.
The Makarov is pointed at Flight 8969's Captain.
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.
Heckler & Koch USP - 9x19mm
The hijacker draws his USP as the GIA terrorists seize the plane.
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).
SIG-Sauer P228 - 9x19mm. This is a really well worn movie blank adapted gun
A GIGN officer points a P228 as he advances down the aisle.
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.
1960s Era Commercial Stevens hammerless side by side shotgun - 12 Gauge.
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.
Mossberg 590 - 12 Gauge. Without heat shield.
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.
Heckler & Koch MP5A3 with Navy trigger group - 9x19mm
Thierry holds a MP5A3 with a RIS handguard and laser aiming module.
Thierry enters a barricaded house.
GIGN officers rehearse their assault in a plane identical to the hijacked one.
A GIGN team rehearse the assault.
GIGN officers exchange fire with the terrorists.
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.
IMI Micro Uzi with bent trigger guard - 9x19mm
The Micro Uzi lies next to the terrorist's disguise.
The hijacker brandishes a Micro Uzi while yelling at the passengers.
The hijacker fires the Micro Uzi.
Yahia yells as he grabs the Micro Uzi.
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.
AIMR - 7.62x39mm. The original Romanian designation for this rifle is the PM md. 90 cu țeavă scurtă (short barrelled).
A hijacker holds the AIMR.
The hijackers prepare to kill a hostage.
The hijacker blind fires the AIMR.
A masked gunman points an AIMR.
MAS FR F1
GIGN sniper teams use MAS FR F1 sniper rifles.
MAS FR F1 Sniper Rifle - 7.5mm French
An officer checks his FR F1.
The GIGN snipers cut open a bolt to access the roof of an aircraft hangar.
GIGN snipers aim FR F1s from a Puma helicopter.
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.
The passengers realize they are being hijacked when they spot grenades on the terrorists' belts.
A grenade lies on the floor after being tossed by a hijacker.
Join our Discord!
