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      The Beast

      R 1988 1h 50m War List
      Reviews 84% 2,500+ Ratings Audience Score A Soviet tank unit led by Commander Daskal (George Dzundza) destroys a village in Afghanistan in 1981. Taj (Steven Bauer), a member of the village, vows revenge and pursues him, along with the mujahideen. Meanwhile, the radical Daskal turns violent against his unit when he murders the tank crewman (Erick Avari) for his Afghan ethnicity and leaves tank driver Koverchenko (Jason Patric) to be killed by the mujahideen. Taj, however, offers Koverchenko sanctuary for his assistance against the unit. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Nov 14 Buy Now

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      Audience Reviews

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      Charles S This movie's philosophy, while admirable, doesn't seem to be grounded in principles matching the weight of it's indictments. Possibly that actually makes it more true to life, but regardless there is a lot of food for thought throughout. Unfortunately the pacing slightly draws the straight forward plot out and the action is a bit lackluster. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/21/23 Full Review Audience Member Predictable and monotonous plot. Basically the movie is focused on promoting islamist terrorist with a slice of anti-russian hatred. Rated 1 out of 5 stars 02/22/23 Full Review Audience Member The Beast (1988) or The Beast of War was a small independent movie made about the Russian invasion of Afghanistan. I really love the tone of the films with the sounds that play occasionally that truly give me a deep sense of dread. Along with the images of the hot desert, it's easy to join the characters in their feeling of dread. The cramped tank environment and toxic relationships between crew members makes for a very troubling situation for the Russians. For a Western film, I was happy to see the Afghans portrayed as the good guys, especially because it's not even very clear that the tank men are actually Russian and not American (American actors talk without any accent). The movie feels a bit dated at times, but it feels pretty progressive for the 80's. I think this owes to it being a small, independent film. Overall, great movie in my opinion, 4.5 stars. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/08/23 Full Review Audience Member The movie is written by William Mastrosimone, based on his play Nanawatai in which sanctuary is given to one based on an honor code, a sanctuary regardless of the consequences. We know that war is hell and often more chaos than logic and reason, especially when rogue commanders are involved. Not sure how much of the story is based in fact, but knowing the state of war and how it drives one to do the irrational, the plot does not seem to be too far afield. The film also points up the fact that those involved are usually at the hands of leaders who are outright evil and rash, without mercy. In any war, both sides frequently display the same. Botton line, war is hell and makes little sense doing nothing more than having thousands if not millions murdered for reasons that are never justified. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/03/23 Full Review Audience Member It is one of those under appreciated and rather unknown war movies. An American movie about the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan (1979-1987) focuses on action and characters without any preaching or lecturing. The psychopath commander is like the Captain Ahab, with no human feelings just a pure obsession (and which war haven't seen those?). Great scenery and wonderful minimalism of just a few main characters and the conflict. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/27/23 Full Review Audience Member the best tank movie I've seen Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/26/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Critics Reviews

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      David Nusair Reel Film Reviews ...a surprisingly effective look at how men behave during times of war. Rated: 3/4 Sep 25, 2002 Full Review Read all reviews

      Movie Info

      Synopsis A Soviet tank unit led by Commander Daskal (George Dzundza) destroys a village in Afghanistan in 1981. Taj (Steven Bauer), a member of the village, vows revenge and pursues him, along with the mujahideen. Meanwhile, the radical Daskal turns violent against his unit when he murders the tank crewman (Erick Avari) for his Afghan ethnicity and leaves tank driver Koverchenko (Jason Patric) to be killed by the mujahideen. Taj, however, offers Koverchenko sanctuary for his assistance against the unit.
      Director
      Kevin Reynolds
      Producer
      Gil Friesen, Dale Pollock
      Screenwriter
      William Mastrosimone
      Production Co
      A&M Films, Brightstar Films
      Rating
      R
      Genre
      War
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date (Streaming)
      Apr 16, 2012
      Box Office (Gross USA)
      $55.2K
      Runtime
      1h 50m
      Sound Mix
      Stereo, Surround
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