Above and Beyond (I) (2014) User Reviews

An interesting and seldom discussed part of history

[planktonrules · 9/10 · 14 September 2015]

"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.

Went Out and purchased the Israel 101st patch after watching. Must see Docr

[gettysburgrich · 9/10 · 11 January 2019]

As a non-Jew Pro Israel supporter this covered a piece of the first days of the establishment of the country in 1948. I had not known but all should of the men who formed and air force from nothing to save this great country.. it is on Starz now documentries. rich

A brilliant documentary

[Red-125 · 9/10 · 21 July 2015]

Above and Beyond (2014) is a documentary film directed by Roberta Grossman. It tells the story of a group of young American WWII veterans who brought planes and their combat skills to Israel in 1948, during the Israeli War of Independence.

I thought this was a wonderful film for what it was--a documentary about ordinary people who risked their lives to fight for a cause in which they believed. In 1948, Israel didn't have an air force. By a combination of boldness, determination, and ingenuity, these young men managed to bring the planes to Israel, and use them in the war.

The film has been criticized for not putting the efforts of these men into a historical context, not talking about the justice--or injustice--of the 1948 war, and not pointing out the long-term consequences of Israel winning the war. All of those criticisms are accurate, but I believe they aren't relevant.

Director Grossman and producer Nancy Spielberg weren't making a documentary series about the 1948 war. They were making a documentary about a particular, specific aspect of the war. These U.S. volunteers survived WWII, and yet they were willing to go back into combat to fight as volunteers for Israel. As far as I could tell, none of them were profoundly philosophical types of men. They did what they thought was right, based on their own Jewishness, their belief in the Israeli cause, and large amounts of testosterone. (As one of them tells the interviewer.)

The survivors are old men now. This documentary had to been made quickly, because, in a few years, it would have been too late to get first-hand interviews with the pilots involved. Now, their stories are recorded forever.

I enjoyed this movie, which was shown in Rochester's Dryden Theatre as the opening night film of the superb Rochester International Jewish Film Festival. My compliments to the RIJFF for choosing this movie, and for inviting producer Nancy Spielberg to the event. Ms. Spielberg didn't so much speak about the movie itself, but rather about the difficulties of getting it produced. Yes, it helped that she was Steven Spielberg's sister, but that alone would not have been sufficient to get this movie completed. It took talent and determination, and that's what she had.

I doubt that this film will go into general distribution, so you'll have to see it at a film festival to view it on a large screen. The good news is that it will work very well on a small screen. I recommend it.

One of Best War Movies Ever

[sansail31 · 10/10 · 9 September 2015]

Above and Beyond is the first documentary that I've seen that blends a terrific true story with state of the art computer generated imagery (CGI). I'm sure that the Spielberg Family dumped a huge amount of money into the project and it shows; the airplane footage appeared so authentic you believed that it was contemporary footage, filmed out of the cockpits of the planes back in 1948. Think of the first 30 minutes of "Saving Private Ryan." I found this so appealing as I have always been turned off by the "dramatic recreations" that are so common in today's lesser war story documentaries. But the imagery would have been nothing without a great true story and this one could only be called a true modern day miracle. And so surprising and ironic.. particularly the pedigree of the airplanes that turned back the invading Arab armies. Anyone interested in the 20th Century warfare would greatly enjoy. For although it is a documentary, it ranks up with the best war movies that have ever been produced.

Full of pride and awe

[jonusb-25386 · 10/10 · 17 February 2016]

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.

Above and away one of the best docs in years.

[JohnDeSando · 17 March 2015]

"I believe that peace with the Palestinians is most urgent - urgent than ever before. It is necessary. It is crucial. It is possible. A delay may worsen its chances. Israel and the Palestinians are, in my judgment, ripe today to restart the peace process." Shimon Peres

For all the fictional heroes Hollywood cranks out, nothing can compare with Above and Beyond, a documentary about the origin of the Israeli Air Force in 1948 and the Jewish perspective about the splitting of Palestine. Regardless of where your sympathies lie, Arab or Jew, after watching this fascinating documentary, you'll have to agree the 600,000 Jews fighting millions of Arabs is pretty heroic stuff.

The conflict begins with the United Nations' resolution to split Palestine and the British decision to vacate. The Jewish people are aware they're vulnerable as Arabs prepare to take over the precious land. Enter mostly volunteer Jewish-American former WWII pilots ready to fly whatever planes they can muster to help the Jews ward off the imminent Arabic takeover.

While this may sound like a set up for the usual ego-talking-head doc, Above and Beyond (a title that works well for sacrifices and heroism) is a sincere testimonial from actual Jewish and other pilots who risked their lives for underdogs. Archival footage of the Jewish planes (four at the beginning, woefully inadequate and impotent), lend the authenticity, while the comments from the pilots give the doc the humanity it needs to show the war a conflict that won't easily be settled by any number of warplanes and ammo.

The first-person commentary by the pilots and others like Shimon Peres makes the Jewish bias (e.g., Palestinian refugees are barely noticed) palatable by displaying a sincere love of nation as opposed to violent chauvinism. The nights spent carousing before battle are sweet rather than crass, just boys and girls having a good time before death takes over. In other words, this doc splendidly displays the best of mankind regardless of nationalism or base ambition.

If you're put off by the obvious biases of documentarians like Michael Moore, then see Above and Beyond because the bias is benign. While I'm thinking of it, Steven Spielberg's sister, Nancy, is a producer—the provenance of this film is solid. If nothing else, you'll understand why Arabs and Israelis fight even today for the land they struggled for over 60 years ago.

Promising background but mediocre presentation

[Seraphion · 6/10 · 15 October 2015]

The story's background surely contained a big promise waiting to be taken into the big screen. Volunteering foreign pilots with relatively low experience smuggling their way out risking their own citizenship and/or jail time, to help a newborn state with nothing to count as an Air Force, this looks interesting enough, particularly as we see the outcome of the war which Israel won against five Arab states invading from all sides. The thing is that this movie lacks is that it relied too heavily on the interviews and not giving itself more weight on the dramatization. Maybe the stock of archival footage or photographs will be very hard to find, but at least it can emphasize on reenactments. There's just to many moments when the movie would literally freeze as it shows photographs for a moment just too long with inadequate background sounds or sorts.

Too Bad There Are Only Ten Stars To Award

[sdavid-41660 · 10/10 · 7 November 2015]

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.

Documentary with action aspects and one side view.

[jaro-filip · 6/10 · 22 April 2016]

I have read reviews blindly marking this movie as a propaganda or nationalistic trash. I cannot say so. This movie is from the point of view of Israel but any adult and educated person is easily capable to filter this out. I am not historian so I do not dare to say anything regarding historic accuracy. Movie is a celebration of bravery of the men and women fighting for their (and also others) country. The defeated opponents are kind of humiliated in the movie while Israel's victory is praised. Sad think is that it is a celebration of war. There is no victor in a war, only suffering. The movie uses a lot of interviews and historical facts spiced by "action" scenes. Some basic animations and rather primitive effects are clearly out-dated, but considering the budget agreeable. However it does not diminish value of the movie. On the other hand it moved the movie from dry documentary to more juicy and enjoyable experience. I can recommend this movie to all people interested in the middle- east history if You can (or are allowed to :) think on Your own.

Fabulous story of courage and sacrifice

[jgtcpt · 10/10 · 10 November 2014]

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.

Outstanding documentary, highly recommended for middle school through adults

[shw-45519 · 10/10 · 15 September 2015]

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.

See "A wing and a Prayer" by Boaz Dvir. You won't be disappointed!!

[daveaudy · 5/10 · 31 May 2015]

This review of "Above and Beyond" by Wes Greene is excerpted from Slant magazine (1/26/2015). I couldn't express my disappointment with this film any better!

(For those of you who want to see what a truly wonderful documentary can bring to this subject, I urge you to see "A Wing and a Prayer" by Boaz Dvir available from PBS (Miami) 800-222-9728)

The Pre-WWII lives of the pilots are only discussed in brief. This creates very little context into their motivations for traveling to the Middle East to engage in another war, as well as their Jewish heritage. As Grossman presents it, the pilots are only fighting in Israel because they're Jewish, though the interviews with the subjects clearly hint at something more complex; in failing to elaborate on such personal history, the filmmaker unintentionally flattens her subjects so that they become indistinguishable from one another. This evasion of insight even runs through the rushed recounting of the Israeli-Arab War, as important events and figures are reduced to mere footnotes rather than viewed through uniquely personal perspectives. Grossman may channel the loose, adrenaline-fueled lives of pilots, but the film's inconsistent, often impassive study of this intriguing real-life adventure feels half-told.

Above and Beyond is the best I have seen

[lgreenspan · 10/10 · 5 May 2015]

What is life? If you have no soul are you then a machine? These Americans knew the hopelessness and the tenacity of the Israelis. They did what they felt must be done. The Arabs outnumbered the Israelis but this was going to be our last stop. Thank G-D for the Americans that helped. Much more can be done with we as opposed to I. Is living doing what you believe in? A heard about this movie through a temple that I usually go to. I saw this film in Westchester, only one movie theater was screening it at the time, it should have been everywhere. I recommend Above and Beyond to anyone who is interested in history and documentaries.This is one of my favorite movies of all time, go see it!

Moving Documentary

[emprof · 10/10 · 2 November 2014]

Essentially, after the UN created the original two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian situation, the Arabs rejected it and claimed they would obliterate the Jews. This documentary tells the story of how mainly Jewish American World War II pilots volunteered to fight on behalf of the newly created state of Israel in 1948 and 1949. Using ragtag airplanes they helped defeat the attacking armies from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. It was a miracle.

This documentary interviews the surviving American pilots and has footage from the war. It shows how difficult it was for the Israelis to acquire weapons to fight for their survival. At the time the United States had an arms embargo against Israel and the other Middle Eastern countries. An American, Al Schwimmer, was instrumental in acquiring the needed weapons and planes. He was indicted in 1950 for violating the US Neutrality Act, but emigrated to Israel. He was pardoned by President Clinton many years later even though he never requested it.

A David and Goliath story

[mitsubishizero · 10/10 · 5 August 2020]

This's a true story anyone can feel pride about. A group of pilots stepped up to defend a country they didn't know well yet still felt connected to. What followed next was a David and Goliath story where they successfully defended Israel from their aggressive neighbors. This's a story that needs to be told and thank god it has.

True unspoken heroes.

Indeed the bravest generation

[dunsuls-1 · 8/10 · 12 December 2015]

At 90 minutes this film crams the 1948 war of survival or as the world called it Jew /Palestine Arab"Civil War"into a coherent timeline to set the stage for the story of Israelis birth of its own Air Force in a riveting tale as told in interviews with serving pilots as well as films from that time.I learned a LOT as well as I was again fascinated by this thrilling story of struggle and perseverance.A must see for History buffs. The story of How cargo airplanes were bought in the US as surplus for 5 thousand dollars is spellbinding. The first fighters were patch work ME 109's from Checksolvokia which were dissembled and flown into Israel in those cargo planes,and on and on. The story of the air raid in Cairo was also new to me.

Awesome movie - and it is true!

[applecohen · 10/10 · 2 March 2016]

This movie will inspire you. It is a well made movie about the 1948 Israeli war, and the difference that each individual can make to an entire country's destiny.

I do not like war movies - but this is a movie about survival and ingenuity. There is no drama in this film. It is about people who made a difference. It lets you understand how the nation of Israel came to being - without any help from the entire world.

It is a war movie, but not about guns and planes - it is about people. There is humour in the movie and there is gravity. You may not like Israeli people - but you will understand why they were made tough, and have to stay tough.

Hats off to Nancy Spielberg for documenting a vital part of history that would have simply been forgotten. Highly recommended.

Interesting Testament

[swjg · 8/10 · 19 June 2017]

A documentary about the formation of the Israeli Air Force in time to defend the fledgling nation as it declared independence.

Starting with two Piper Cubs flown in across the Mediterranean on overload fuel tanks for 11 hours to create supply aircraft.

In California C-46 and Constellations were purchased and smuggled out of America across the Atlantic by a circuitous route to create a transport command.

Luftwaffe Me 109's were cobbled together with parts obtained through Czechoslovakia and assembled in Tel Aviv and flown straight into combat without any flight testing. The irony of flying in Luftwaffe equipment was not lost on many of the volunteer Jewish American pilots many who had less than 30 mins cockpit familiarization before flying into combat.

The first combat ground attack by just four Me 109's stopped the Egyptian Army in its tracks as it started its invasion of Israel.

3 smuggled B-17's were used to bomb Cairo with the US commercial pilots bluffing their way into Egypt pretending to be TWA flights.

Ultimately the Israelis obtained Spitfires which led to the only known Spitfre/Spitfire combats with the Egyptian Air Force Spits.

With commentary by pilots who flew and with contemporary footage and photography. An interesting testament to the pilots who turned the tide in Israel's favor.