Above and Beyond

At first blush, this documentary film presents as a Jewish story in a specific historical context. It is a remarkable story in that light. However, Above and Beyond reaches much further into the human psyche than any one demographic, community, or time period. The film uses first-person accounts to illustrate how the power of belief in a cause and trust in one's compatriots can motivate the most audacious resourcefulness and beat seemingly insurmountable odds.

Our thanks to Nancy Spielberg for capturing interviews with several of the daring pilots who rescued a fledgling country from impending oblivion. Their accounts are inspired, humorous, and highly accessible. Highly recommended for age groups 10 years old through adult.

"Above and Beyond" is a documentary from Nancy Spielberg, Steven's sister. Additionally, it was written and directed by women--making this film rather unusual. Sad that we don't see more like this.

The movie is about a period seldom talked about--the formation of Israel and its statehood in 1948. At that time, most of the Arab world seemed ready to destroy the country and Israel had few resources other than folks eager to create a new nation. They had nothing in the way of military--and the lack of an air force was particularly worrisome. This film is about this first air force-- mostly made up of foreigners (mostly Americans) using surplus WWII airplanes.

Fortunately for this film, many of the old pilots were alive to participate in the production--rather amazing considering how long ago these events occurred. In addition to this and some great production values and an interesting story, it's well worth seeing.

I really enjoyed this incredibly interesting documentary on the little known story about young Americans (and other internationals) who came together and volunteered to protect and defend the fledgling Israeli state from the invading Arab armies. We'll likely never get a movie about it; which is a shame because it would be one heck of a true story for Hollywood to tell. As it was, the footage was remarkable as it was presented; with the actual participants vividly describing the events as if it happened yesterday. You'll cheer, you'll laugh, you'll cry. And that's not to mention it's also full of a some surprises. A hint is in the cast list.

An amazing story of yet another example of the world greatest generation. Well done documentary with the right touches and details so difficult to uncover due to the secretive nature of the effort in the 1940's. Laced with real footage and interviews or those that were there, it doesn't get any better. I highly recommend the film. You have to ask yourself how would it feel to have the choices these people had. And what would you do? It is historically correct and therefore not iced over with drama. It's just the way it was. I am so glad someone captured this noble effort in history. You will enjoy this film. I recommend it to all.

Above and Beyond is a most moving documentary, telling the true story of how US (and other foreign) volunteers, and Israelis, used unimaginable courage and ingenuity to build the foundation of the Israeli Air Force, and how against all odds they won the Arab war of 1948 to drive the Jews into the sea and eliminate the new State of Israel.

With stunning visuals, the film makes the point that when the Arabs were tired of fighting they could simply go home, but the Jews had no such choice because they were fighting *for* their home. Impossibly outnumbered and out-gunned, the Jews knew that if they didn't win the war being waged against them by five invading Arab armies, they would be slaughtered in another Holocaust.

I defy anyone to watch this film with a dry eye. Dani Shapira, a young Israeli pilot, receives his wings after the war, as he emotionally says: "In the Israeli Air Force. In my air force. In my country." Leon Frankel, an American Jew who'd fought in the second world war, says with equal emotion: "We have a great word in Yiddish, that's 'bashert.' It's fated. It's meant to be. Maybe God spared us in World War II so that we could come to Israel and help the remnants of our people survive . . . I knew then and there that was the reason that I came."

Above and Beyond is available on Netflix.