Other Titles • The Beast of War • The Beast (1988) • Bestie Krieg (1988) • Beast of War
Synopses for The Beast of War (1988)
1.
The director of Waterworld teams up with playwright William Mastrosimone for a story of a lost Russian tank during the Afghan war; doesn't sound like your normal action fare, does it? Despite its awkward origins, The Beast is a satisfying action yarn that unfortunately was never widely distributed. When Afghan rebels find the lone tank lost in the high desert, a cat-and-mouse chase commences with nail-biting, emotional precision. The Russian tank crew is also at war with themselves after the sympathetic driver (a stalwart Jason Patric) debates the brutal tactics of his commander (George Dzundza). This visceral action drama was adapted from--believe it or not--a stage play but keeps its feet firmly planted in the war-action genre. Director Kevin Reynolds's second film showcases his aggressive camera work that was featured later, less successfully, in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. Made directly after the Afghan war, the film was hard to sell in the late 1980s. With the Russians speaking English (and the Afghans their native dialect), the viewer is uncomfortably bonded to the unpopular aggressors. Yet the film reverberates in the sweat and toil of battle, with Patric bringing a more dramatic flair to the role than comes from the usual set of cinematic action heroes. --Doug Thomas
2.
During the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, Koverchenko (Jason Patric), a young Russian soldier, is caught between his country and his conscience when his ruthless commander (George Dzundza) destroys a village. As the their tank lies trapped near the village, Koverchenko is labeled a traitor and left to die. After run-ins with wild dogs and rock-throwing Afgan women, he is rescued by an Afghan leader (Steven Bauer, TRAFFIC). The two unlikely allies then set out to destroy the Russian commander and his tank. Based on William Mastrosimone's stage play, THE BEAST is a haunting and unusual war film that has developed a fervent cult of admirers despite very limited theatrical play.
3.
During the war in Afghanistan a Soviet tank crew commanded by a tyrannical officer find themselves lost and in a struggle against a band of Mujahadeen guerrillas in the mountains. A unique look at the Soviet 'Vietnam' experience sympathetically told for both sides.
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