Yes, The Helicopter Heist is a real story, with a few twists. This eight-episode show dramatizes the history of that infamous Västberga helicopter robbery that left Sweden stunned in 2009.
Now available to stream, the series drops the viewer deep into the dramatic, psychologically taxing events of the theft of millions from a Stockholm security depot.
Directed by Daniél Espinosa, Jonas Alexander Arnby, and Anna Zackrisson, its cast features Mahmut Suvakci and Ardalan Esmaili. It's based on Jonas Bonnier's book Helikopterrånet. In the real world, a gang of thieves carried out an elaborate heist using a hijacked helicopter to steal in a supposed safe room for cash.
They succeeded in misleading the police through false leads and shutting down police helicopters. All those efforts earned them more than $5 million, but the perpetrators were caught afterward. It flavors the real-life mystery with exciting storytelling and explores the challenges while remaining true to the robbery.
What makes the Västberga heist one of Sweden's biggest robberies, as seen on The Helicopter Heist?
The Västberga helicopter robbery was an audacious crime that happened on September 23, 2009. It is among the boldest crimes ever known in Sweden. The thieves using a stolen Bell 206 Jet Ranger helicopter defied the security in the G4S cash depot of southern Stockholm.
The criminals landed the helicopter on the depot's roof and used explosives to access the facility. Meanwhile, decoy devices, including a planted bomb at a nearby police helipad, delayed law enforcement's response. Meticulous planning was the hallmark of the robbery.
As reported by Netflix Tudum, organizers exploited every weakness in warehouse security. Their planning and collaboration earned them international acclaim. But the escape train didn't last long.
After a few weeks, several gang members were caught and part of the loot was recovered, but the robbery is still held as an intelligent crime.
Who are the main characters in The Helicopter Heist?
The Helicopter Heist is about two childhood friends, Michel and Rami. They're played by Ardalan Esmaili and Mahmut Suvakci. Michel, who is very smart, asks Rami, an ex-criminal, to help him on one last big job: stealing millions from a cash depot. It's the struggle between their old friendship and Rami’s new family life.
The supporting cast includes Dejan Milacic as Zoran (the logistics man), Wim Elfwencrona as Nicke (the explosives genius), and Erik Svedberg-Zelman as Axel (the pilot who lands the helicopter). And on the cops' side of things, Iskra Kostić plays Leonie (a cop) who is just starting to piece together the puzzle of the heist.
The series interlaces action-packed parts with personal stories, illustrating both the heist and the people it affected. As a Reddit user named @Schwimp said, the show "accurately captures what went down," even though it isn’t a documentary.
How accurate is The Helicopter Heist?
The Helicopter Heist features some differences in the storyline but is fundamentally based on real-life events, unlike Disclaimer. It shows how complex the heist was, but some alterations were incorporated for dramatic purposes.
According to a Reddit user named @Still_Boat_233,
"The series is 'inspired by the Västberga helicopter robbery' and is an epic mini-series."
Jonas Bonnier’s source material makes it more real. He talked to some of the criminals involved, which helps us understand their reasons better.
The Helicopter Heist director Daniél Espinosa underlines the human aspect of crime, and in its promotional material, he has stated:
“It’s not just a story of a heist, but a story of choices, friendship, and betrayal.”
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The Helicopter Heist is on Netflix now.
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