The Beast (aka The Beast of War - 1988)
Sony Pictures
R1 / NTSC DVD
Director: Kevin Reynolds
Writer: William Mastrosimone
Starring: George Dzundza, Jason Patric & Steven Bauer
Review by Ted Jones

The Beast in this film is a Soviet tank. It’s the story of a lone Russian tank crew dealing with the locals during the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in the late 1970’s. They’ve become separated from their unit and have to try to make it back to their comrades while passing through territory filled with revenge-minded Mujahideen.

The tank crew is commanded by a racist sergeant (George Dzundza) who is a true child of the Motherland. He doesn’t think to question that the best way to subdue the populace is to brutalize them, to make them fear, which was standard Soviet military policy in Afghanistan. His willingness to do anything necessary to survive is what may save their asses while at the same time stresses the entire crew to the breaking point.

The Mujahideen leader (Steven Bauer) has assumed the role because the Russians have killed his father and brother. His cousin is an opportunist who’s at least as interested in the spoils of war as he is about the honor of defending Afghanistan.

The movie revolves around the tank, but the story focuses on the two groups of people. It eventually degenerates into a showdown between the tank driver, Constantine (Jason Patric) and the sergeant. Each remains true to their beliefs and neither gives an inch to the bitter end.

The Russians all speak English. There is no attempt at accents or other nonsense. The Afghans are all subtitled.

• Screen format: 1.85:1 Fullscreen / Color
• Audio: English (Dolby Surround), French, Spanish or Portuguese
• Subtitles: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean and Thai (all removable)
• Running time: 111 mins.

• Bios and Filmographies
• Trailers

The Beast can be viewed as an allegory to the Vietnam War, where technology squared off against a “people’s army”. There’s a reason that Afghanistan was called “Russia’s Vietnam”. This movie isn’t about the hardware, it’s about the men facing down their enemies, regardless of whose side they’re on. Even if you’re not a war movie fan, I recommend seeing this one.

"Man and machine brutally clash on the ancient plains of Afghanistan!"