Voyage of Terror: The Achille Lauro Affair (1990)

On an idyllic day in October 1985, passengers from around the world board the 'Achille Lauro' for a relaxing 12-day Mediterranean cruise. Among them is the French couple, the Bergerons, wrestling with marital turbulence, the Serafinis, an Italian family escaping routine, Anne Higgins, an Englishwoman, Gitta and Helmut Holzer, a young German couple on their first voyage, and the Klinghoffers, an American couple confronting a terminal illness. However, the tranquil voyage takes a chilling turn as four unsuspected Palestinian terrorists, led by the enigmatic Molqi, hijack the ship. The captives, initially engulfed by a sunny holiday spirit, are plunged into a horrific nightmare as the terrorists storm the ship, turning the once peaceful cruise into a vessel of terror. Meanwhile, the world is thrown into chaos as news of the hijacking spreads, triggering frantic diplomatic efforts across Rome, Washington, Cairo, Tel Aviv, Bonn, London, and Paris. As the ship edges closer to the Syrian coast, the terrorists separate the American, Israeli, and British passengers, inducing a heightened sense of dread. The hope of a peaceful resolution seems within reach as the Syrian port comes into view, but their hopes are soon dashed as Syria denies the hijackers entry. In a desperate act of violence, Molqi brutally murders the wheelchair-bound Leon Klinghoffer, sending shockwaves amongst the hostages and his own comrades. In the aftermath of the murder, the ship is turned away from Libya and the hijackers find themselves isolated, with even their Palestinian leaders distancing themselves from the grave crime. The passengers learn of Leon's death, but the captain, under Molqi's orders, continues to deny it. Finally, under the negotiation of Palestinian second-in-command, Abu Abbas, the terrorists surrender and leave the 'Achille Lauro', marking the end of the dreadful ordeal for the passengers. However, this also reveals the devastating truth about Leon Klinghoffer's death to his wife, Marilyn. Despite previous agreements, the American ambassador pledges to bring the terrorists to justice on American soil. As the passengers recover and return home, the American Secret Service intercepts a message detailing the terrorists' flight out of Egypt. In a dramatic turn of events, American military forces force the plane to land in Sicily, leading to the terrorists' arrest and trial in Italy. However, the elusive Abu Abbas remains at large, leaving the haunting specter of the 'Achille Lauro' affair lingering in the air.

Voyage of Terror: The Achille Lauro Affair is a drama movie featuring Burt Lancaster and directed by Alberto Negrin.

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