M. Night Shyamalan's psychological thriller “Entrapment” follows serial killer Cooper, known as “The Butcher” (Josh Hartnett), who takes his daughter (Arielle Donoghue) to see her favorite pop star in live concert. But shortly after arriving, Cooper discovers that the event is an elaborate set-up aimed at ultimately putting “The Butcher” behind bars.
In an interview with Empire magazine, Shyamalan described the film as if “The Silence of the Lambs” took place at a Taylor Swift concert. With that line, it seems like the events of “Entrapment” could only have happened on the big screen. However, the film is actually inspired by real life, inspired by one of the most successful kidnappings in the United States: Operation Flagship.
In December 1985, the U.S. Marshals Service sent out more than 3,000 invitations to fugitives throughout Washington, D.C., including 5,117 arrest warrants. The invitations were sent under the banner of the fictitious Flagship International Sports TV channel, and invitees were told that their names had been selected from a clearing list and that they had won free tickets to see the Washington Redskins vs. the Cincinnati Bengals game later that month.
Bus transportation will be provided to a pre-game ceremony where winners can collect their prizes and be entered into a raffle for Redskins season tickets and an all-expenses-paid trip to Super Bowl XX.
On December 15, 101 of the 3,000 invited guests were bused into the Washington Convention Center, dressed in Redskins gear and praying for a win during a tumultuous 8-6 season. More than 150 undercover officers were waiting on the scene, disguised as cheerleaders, caterers, Flagship representatives and cleaning staff. One officer even dressed as a San Diego Chicken.
Capturing 101 fugitives at once was too risky, so upon arrival, the criminals were checked in and taken to a separate room in groups of about 15. There, they were told they would receive their tickets and hear a few words from the master of ceremonies, played by Chief of Enforcement Operations, Lewis McKinley.
Once they were seated, McKinley dived into his presentation, explaining the day's events and sharing details about Flagship's new sports programming lineup.
“We had agreed in advance to send a signal to the Special Operations Group, which was to enter the room when it heard me say ‘surprise.’ To my surprise, nothing happened after I gave the signal,” McKinley wrote in his 2009 memoir, The One Marshal Badge. “Thinking I should repeat the signal louder, I decided to try again. I shouted over the conversation, ‘Today is your lucky day indeed. I have a big surprise for you!’”
Then 25 members of the Special Operations Group stormed the room, weapons drawn. This process was repeated until all 101 escapees were captured, ultimately resulting in the arrest of 144 people.
“Trap” is now showing in theaters nationwide.
