 | |
List Price: $9.95 | | Label: Sony Pictures
Salesrank: 10325
Released: May 15, 2001 |
| Our Price: $4.29 |
| Used Price: $2.96 |
|
MPAA Rating: R (Restricted)
Media: DVD |
|
Editorial Review:
Enemies join forces in a remote Afghan desert conflict to destroy an invincible tank and its brutal commander.
Genre: Feature Film-Action/Adventure
Rating: R
Release Date: 31-AUG-2004
Media Type: DVD
Description of The Beast:
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
The Beast Reviews:
Is my husband gift for christmas 
2009-12-01 - He already saw it, and he loves it because the tanks that show, his hobby is modeling tanks
of the WWII. In the movie you can see some of them. Its a good movie for this subject.
The best and only movie about the Afghan/Russian war
2009-11-05 - Excellent acting and an engaging story. Provides an interesting insight into just how and why warfare in Afghanistan is so difficult. You don't need to be a history or military buff to enjoy this movies. A very poignant drama.
A forgotten war 
2009-10-21 - I bought this film because the subject material interested me. Although it is an American-made film spoken in English, it is pretty good IMO. There are several technical inaccuracies and questionable military tactics, but the characters and conflict between them serve to blur the lines between right and wrong. There is a sense of futility in the Russian tanker's actions, and their fanatical commander is a stereotype of a good Comrade I found amusing. The Afghans are depicted as honorable and respectful tribal warriors, which I cannot judge from firsthand experience...
BEAST
2009-10-05 - i taped it on late night T.V many years ago , when I then wanted a D.V.D of THE PROFESSIONAL I was advised to try Amazon , from then on if a particular D.V.D I wanted I try Amazon .
read the play from which it is derived - NANAWATAI
2009-07-09 - This is a very fine film, as has been attested to by many of the reviewers here already. At first glance, it may appear to be a "war film" or an "action film", but it is really a dramatic film. Excellent performances and excellent dialogue/script. If you like the film, you might actually want to check out the playscript from which it was derived - NANAWATAI. William Mastrosimone is a superlative playwright, known for his characters and language/dialogue. And if you've only seen the movie once, you may want to review it a second time to further appreciate just how well-written it is - the story draws you in so effectively, you might miss the craft that is behind the story-telling.
