Rating: 
Summary: The Hunter Becomes the Hunted
Review: Kevin Reynolds directed this film with a script by William Mastrosimone. Although stylized and a little exaggerated, the film is a great at showing how techonology doesn't always get the upper hand in certain environments: nowhere is this truer than in Afghanistan. The rugged mountainous and desert terrain is mostly inhospitable and full of hiding places for guerrilla fighters such as the Mujahadeen.I found Jason Patric to be the least believable character in this story. I find it hard to believe that a Soviet tank driver, even if he were to disagree with his superiors or the war, would suddenly join the Afghans in fighting his compatriots; an act tatamount to desertion and treason. The best performance was that of George Dzundza who played the hard and tempered tank commander. The movie follows the tank as it wanders lost through the desert like a wounded animal being stalked by hunters. Altogether an enjoyable action movie that is well paced with good acting.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST military movie I've ever watched...
Review: ...and I've seen quite a few. This is a movie that encloses human drama within the reality and hardship of war. As far as action, it is cruel and realistic, just like the real thing. You can watch this movie over and over and still wonder how they could combine so much action with so much intelectual content. I bet you could sit an action fan and a movie critic and get completely different opinions afterwards. Both guys would be quite impressed by the picture. Technically it sticks to reality quite well. Weapons, aircraft and the tank (real Russian T-62)are fully operational, and actors seem to have received good training in all procedures. You really have to be an Afghan war vet to notice tiny small details like shells comming out of the turret, and projection of rocket explosions, which may not be accurate to the real thing, but, this movie is excellent!! More than excellent. The only reason why this movie could not make it to the top was its deep political message, which, in this millenium, will not be of any importance at all. Watch it... you will want to have it.
Rating:
Summary: Underated desert war film - You can almost smell the dust!
Review: This a great film as those few who have seen it will testify - Really gritty stuff. They must have changed the name because I distinctly remember it used to be known as 'The Beast of War', a better title. It is pretty graphic in areas, I saw it as a kid and the scene with the guy getting driven over by a tank certainly didn't help me get to sleep. War is hell, to say the least. As people have pointed out, they used actual soviet T-62 tanks in the film and it really added to the realism and overall effect. Suffice to say it's not going to make you want to become a tank commander any time soon. The T-62 is dark and dingy inside and definitely didn't come with any cupholders. Performances are great across the board. It's interesting to see Jason Patric in such an early role, but George Dzunda as the tank commander spearheads the cast. Yes, some people have noted the helicopter isn't an actual Mi-8, but I don't know how they could have gotten their hands on one back in 1988 anyway, it's a minor quibble and I'm just glad they didn't respray an M-1 to make it the T-62!;) The desert landscape is cruel and unrelenting, yet strangely beautiful. All up, five stars, this is tight, solid film, that will hold your interest throughout and is superbly shot. Perhaps somewhat topical at the moment, it's well worth a view.
Rating: 
Summary: Afghanistan? Alright!!
Review: Great War Movie!
And a rare one too because it is about the Soviet military prescence during 1981.
Most everything about this film is very well done.
However, I did notice a tactical blunder made by the Soviet tank patrol during the film's beginning sequence that never would have occured during the 10 year war in Afghanistan. After the three T-55 tanks enter the remote Afghan village, the crews then actually leave their tanks to finish the job of destroying the place. Hey, screenwriters, haven't you ever heard of mechanized infantry? I'm sure the Soviet Army had plenty of it during that year of the war too. But of course, Mr. Screenwriter, you needed a way for the leader of the village to destroy one of the opened, unprotected tanks with a malitov-cocktail so that the film's "revenge" plot could officially be set in motion.
Anyways, the rest of the plot does turn out to be a good one, with plenty of twists and turns. The acting is good for "B" standards, and the camera work is terrific.
The actors who portray the Afghan Muhajadeen (including Steven Bauer from "Scarface") do speak their lines in some version of the Afghan language, so there are plenty of subtitles that the viewer has to read through out the movie.
Rating:
Summary: Apocalypse Now of Afghanistan
Review: After seeing this movie for the first time, I drew so many comparisons between this movie and Apocalypse Now, which I had considered the best war movie ever made. Both showed the madness of and heartlessness of war. Marlon Brando and George Dzundza played superb psychos who followed or enlarged their orders. Martin Sheen and Stephen Baldwin played soldiers who finally agreeded that war is insane. Whereas Martin Sheen eventually kills the beast (Marlon Brando), Stephen Baldwin attempts to do the same. Jason Patrick and Steven Bauer play the other two tankers and are so similar to the other river boat soldiers in Apocalypse Now. Whereas Martin Sheen's ship mates learn too late about the absurdity of war, Jason Patrick and Steven Bauer manage to... The Afghan's show true spirit as they wage a personal war against the T-62, while the tank crew wage a personal war against their commander, who would kill them rather than leave his tank to be destroyed. The action is terrific and the supporting cast is excellent, especially the female Afghan's. They are just as tough, if not tougher than the males. To the famales, revenge is sweet. Whereas the men would just as soon shoot the enemy, the females would rather take their time and extract their own justice on the tank crew. Perhaps the longest living memory of the movie surrounds the music. I do not recall ever feeling so alone listening to the music. It was eerie and defined the lonliness of Afghanistan. The single shrill of the music really defined the arrid land and at time,the hopelessness, of the struggle. But they never gave up. I hope that you feel the same, concerning the music. I compare it to some of that of Tangerine Dream. Eerie but worth remembering. I would give the edge to The Beast strictly for the music. It is or was about time that Russia's Vietnam was portrayed back in 1988. By all means, see this movie and enjoy the music. Both are first rate and extremely haunting. You will remember both.
Rating:
Summary: Great flick; despite the tactical inaccuracies
Review: This movie is great! ... I have since watched it over and over. Some reviews I have read focus on the tactical mistakes and lack of a "real" Russian helicopter in the film. The interesting thing about this is, war is chaotic. Sometimes tactics go out the window when faced with flying bullets. Even if the Russians used Motorized Rifle units as escorts for their armor, there's no saying that armor NEVER ventured out on their own. Heck, maybe this armored unit was part of a larger force that was simply making a reconnaisance-in-force. Also, the helicopter used in the movie was NOT that much different than the Mi-8 which, as it turns out, looks exactly like the one in the movie. If you don't believe me, check it out. Anywho, being a veteran and knowing how the rules of war are almost always broken, the so-called tactical "mistakes" made in the movie are easily overlooked. The main point of this movie is to give the viewer a feeling of the brutality of war and how it changes ordinarily sane people, into first monsters, callous to their nature, then fearful refugees to the carnage they created. This movie is both entertaining and yet, emotionally invoking. You get the sense that the real "enemy" is not the Mujahadeen pursuers, but the maniacal tank commander, driving his men to the brink of destruction. The last thing I'd like to say about this movie is its WONDERFUL soundtrack. The music definitely sets the mood. Now, if only I could find the soundtack. Arista records doesn't seem to know where to find it. I wish I knew! Buy this movie, you won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: One of my fav war movies
Review: I just love this movie and its great to see it made it to the dvd format i had a tape of it it's so old half the audio and graphics are gone do to time and age of tape. now i can retire the tape. great movie if you dont have it get one while you can.
Rating:
Summary: The best...so far !
Review: The only one movie on the market , which gives you the Soviet side of the story on the war in Afghanistan . I was looking for a good movie about the conflict for DECADES ! How many did I found ? NON ! ZIP ! ZERRO ! NOTHING ! Then , in 1999 , I watched this one , and said : finaly ! About time ! Than , I was shocked - it was made in 1988 !!! When we was still there ! Usually , I don't tell you , what the movie or book is about . You can read it in other reviews . Usually , I tell you , how I felt about it . This is my way . And , if you read my other reviews , you know what I mean .
But this one is different . This one is too personal to me . THE most realistic movie about the conflict . So ?! A must se !!! I gave it only 4 stars , because I am steel waiting for better one ... new " Platoon " type . Also :
1. It is too simbolic !
2. The story itself - too fake . ( But I was there , I watched it differently ... way too personal ).
But at same time , I have to admit : 1. The last scene - a good hope ! It gives you a right point of view : most of the Afghanis just want everybody to leave them alone ! Russians , talibans , americans - everybody !
2. The only movie , witch showes two different kinds of Afghani fighters . The " Mujahaddins " ( The freadom fighters ). And the " Dushmans " ( Bandits , whitch been always there ).
To all people , who made the movie : THANK YOU !
Rating:
Summary: One if the best war movies
Review: I've watched this movie dozens of times (recorded from cable) but could never find it on VHS; a friend of mine was actually able to find it on ebay for 20 bucks. I just now found out it was released on DVD LAST YEAR! I'm glad it is finally on DVD and I hope more people will have the opportunity to see this movie. It is an excellent, well-acted film. No matter what your political views are, I think this film makes you realize that neither side in a war wins; maybe one side just loses less...I don't know and I don't pretend to, but this movie really makes me feel as if I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Decent war pic
Review: Predictable but well acted. Dzundza does fine work as does Patric. Dzundza's potrayal of the merciless tank commander is very well done. Check it out. I only have one gripe with this film and it's actually only with George Dzundza. Mr. Dzundza has played more men in uniform than Dale Dye, and he looks [bad] in all of them. Mr. Dzundza should not be allowed to wear a uniform again in a film until he losses at least 150lbs. I think he's a fine actor but his bulk really does detract from the story when he's playing military men. And yes, I'm in the Army.
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