Its a wonder that it took nearly seven decades for the story to be recounted in feature documentary form. The first major featurelength documentary about the foreign airmen in the war of independence, above and beyond brings together new interviews with pilots from the 48 war, as well as. Jan 15, 2015 produced by nancy spielberg stevens sister, above and beyond pays welldeserved homage to these men who helped create the israeli air force and ensured the survival of the burgeoning nation. The birth of the israeli air force to their past may have been the most moving aspect of making the documentary. Scrappy israeli air force inspires three films the times of israel. The first featurelength doc about the foreign airmen in the.
The story of the israeli air force from the war of independence to the bekaa valley. He gave his life in defense of the newly reborn jewish state. Started by arnold spielberg in 1962, it was first used by his son, steven, for his early productions and is now headed by arnolds daughter, producer nancy spielberg. This heroic account of the founding of the israeli air force recasts israels survival as a victory for american. 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. In 1948, a group of jewish american pilots flew for israel in its war of independence. The first major featurelength documentary about the foreign airmen in the 48 war, above and beyond brings together new interviews with the pilots, as well as stunning aerial footage, to present a fascinating, littleknown tale filled with heart, heroism and highflying chutzpah. Mahal pilots who helped give birth to the israeli air force in 1948, and this is the best account of that dramatic effort. Apr 06, 2015 more than a retelling of the 48 arabisraeli war, above and beyond examines the motivations of the foreign volunteers both jews and nonjews. The creation of the israeli air force, is the youngest of steven spielbergs three sisters and has the considerable advantage of sharing the. Playmount productions has been in the spielberg family for more than 50 years. The birth of the israeli air force playmount productions. Army officer is recruited by the jews to reorganize the haganah. 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.
Above and beyond the incredible heroic holocaust documentary. Mar 17, 2015 in the process, they built the foundation for a great air force, which defends israel successfully ever since. This is a thorough telling of the amazing story of the beginning of modern israel and the israeli air force. If youve ever wanted to know what its like to interview rock stars right after a concert, try getting a word with nancy spielberg, the producer of above and beyond, the true story of the. This force was manned by mainly jewish veterans of world war 2 using clapped out surplus second hand aircraft. The history of the israel air force begins in may 1948, shortly after the formation of the state of israel. He put in seven years researching and producing the film on a modest. The first major featurelength documentary about the foreign airmen in the war of independence, above and beyond brings together new interviews with pilots from the 48. Above and beyond takes flight in documentary about. A very educational movie about how israel became israel.
More than a retelling of the 48 arabisraeli war, above and beyond examines the motivations of the foreign volunteers both jews and nonjews. Produced by nancy spielberg stevens sister, above and beyond pays welldeserved homage to these men who helped create the israeli air force. Moviefones video property is a part of the aol on network. The creation of the israeli air force picks up where a wing and a prayer leaves off, in may 1948. Above and beyond israeli air force on jewish matters.
The birth of the israeli air force picks up where a wing and a prayer leaves off. The asheville jewish film festivals film this week is roberta grossmans documentary above and beyond a movie about the origins of. To touch the sky the history of the israeli air force duration. Most popular 1948 arab israeli war movies and tv shows imdb. Scrappy israeli air force inspires three films the times of.
It has been circulating in specialty theaters for some time. In 1948, a group of world war ii pilots volunteered to fight for israel in the war. December 7, 2015 mimi and dona named one of the best tv shows of 2015 by new york times. The movie above and beyond tells their personal story, their contribution, and their sacrifices. In 1948, a group of world war ii pilots volunteered to fight for israel in the war of independence.
A gungho celebration of the overnight creation of the israeli air force by a handful of american g. Jul 17, 2019 above and beyond above and beyond, 4 p. All donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. With no air force or aircraft, american and other foreign pilots are called upon to start a nascent military air force. Id like to share with you a video, part of a film documentary project entitled above and beyond. I am a pilot, have read extensively about the mahal pilots who helped give birth to the israeli air force in 1948, and this is the best account of that dramatic effort that i have.
The story of the israeli air force from the war of independence to the bekaa valley lon nordeen, ken kotik on. Jul 17, 2014 if youve ever wanted to know what its like to interview rock stars right after a concert, try getting a word with nancy spielberg, the producer of above and beyond, the true story of the. Produced by nancy spielberg, younger sister to steven, this film celebrates the pilots who laid the foundation for the israeli air force. Directed by nancy spielberg, sister of stephen spielberg. Jan 24, 20 the birth of the israeli air force oscarleg. Watch above and beyond 2015 full movie free online. Am i mistaken or was that scene simply inserted into the movie without any historical accuracy.
May 05, 2015 above and beyond is a fascinating documentary about how the country cobbled together an air force with the help of world war ii pilots from around the world. This according to the films executive producer, nancy spielberg. Above and beyond was filmed in the united states, the united kingdom, and israel. Above and beyond birth of the israeli air force youtube.
Above and beyond is a 2014 documentary film about mahal, produced by nancy spielberg, the. Birth of the israeli air force id like to share with you a video, part of a film documentary project entitled above and beyond. Three films to focus on israeli air force jewish journal. Parents need to know that above and beyond is a blackandwhite documentary that tells the story of a group of american world war ii pilots who went to israel in 1948 to form the core of a fledgling israeli air force. Above and beyond tells story of founding of israeli air force.
Pilots who fought for israel star in movie by spielbergs sister above and beyond, a tribute to air force pioneers during the war of independence, will debut at the jerusalem film festival. Above and beyond is a coproduction of playmount productions and katahdin productions. Above and beyond is a fascinating documentary about how the country cobbled together an air force with the help of world war ii pilots from around. As members of machal volunteers from abroad this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, preventing the possible annihilation of israel at the very moment of its birth. They tipped the war in israel s favor and helped saving the country. Find above and beyond showtimes for local movie theaters. They were never interested in peace, and the fact that tiny little israel kicks. Above and beyond is a straightforward, rahrah documentary that shines a light on a group of world war ii pilots who were recruited to essentially create the israeli air force during the. Following israels declaration of independence on may 14, its prestate national institutions transformed into the agencies of a state, and on may 26, 1948, the israeli air force was formed. Above and beyond takes flight in documentary about israeli. A ragtag band of brothers, volunteering from abroad, turned the tide of israels independence war and laid the groundwork for the israeli air force. Playmount is the literal translation from german to english of spiel and berg. If you like documentaries about air forces this is an excellent one about the start of the israeli air force at the birth of the state in 1948. Scrappy israeli air force inspires three films the times.
Complete with original newsreel footage and detailed interviews with those who were there, the recreation and telling of the. July 21, 2015 above and beyond this spring, we had an amazing run with above and beyond at film festivals, bringing our award total to 22. Jan 31, 2015 a gungho celebration of the overnight creation of the israeli air force by a handful of american g. Why nancy spielberg made a movie about the israeli air force. The asheville jewish film festivals film this week is roberta grossmans documentary above and beyond a movie about the origins of the israeli air force. Robert bob vickman born november 21, 1921 in hollywood, california, missing in action since july 9, 1948 was an american pilot and also served as one of the first pilots in the israeli air force. Above and beyond is a straightforward, documentary that shines a light. Israeli air force, particularly its scrappy beginnings.
Jan 30, 2015 as members of machal volunteers from abroad this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war, preventing the possible annihilation of israel at the very moment of its birth. From the moment of its inception, the arabs have hated the notion of jews having a right to exist in their own country. Israel and the palestinians are, in my judgment, ripe today to restart the peace process. Interviews with former israeli air force pilots and their families included an extended interview with paul reubens born rubenfeld and his mother, describing the combat career of his father, milton rubenfeld, one of the first american volunteers to go to israel. Reconnecting the pilots who star in above and beyond. Audience award for best documentary, best documentary and.
Excellent film documenting the history of the creation of the israeli air force a moving. All donations made to katahdin foundation 501c 3 for above and beyond are taxdeductible to the extent allowed by law. Archival footage and interviews recreate the time when the foreign pilots. It is the story of american pilots coming to the aid of the new israeli state in 1948, many of. Above and beyond 2015 rotten tomatoes movie trailers. Archival footage and interviews recreate the time when the foreign. Above and beyond, the documentary about the birth of the israeli air force, started with an obituary. In the process, they built the foundation for a great air force, which defends israel successfully ever since.
A new documentary film about the establishment of the israeli air force was released this past weekend. Katahdin productions is a nonprofit, 501c3 film production company. In secret and at great personal risk, they smuggled planes out of the u. The birth of the israeli air force playmount productions from katahdin productions on vimeo. This is the story of the origins of the israeli air force which didnt really exist as a fighting force. Above and beyond tells story of founding of israeli air. Nancy spielberg goes above and beyond with israel air force. It is produced by nancy spielberg, directed by roberta grossman and written by sophie sartain. Above and beyond documents the story of four american, foreign, and israeli pilots who flew warplanes to help. Above and beyond pays welldeserved homage to these men who helped create the israeli air force and ensured the survival of the burgeoning nation. Atlanta jewish film festival 2015, audience winner. Is a straightforward, documentary that shines a light on a group of world war ii jewish american pilots who were recruited to essentially create the israeli air force during the palestine war in 1948. Rent above and beyond 2015 on dvd and bluray netflix.
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