Overview
A gripping tale of survival and conflict amidst the chaos of war.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Brutal
- bleak
- oppressive
- tense
- serious war film night
- historical cinema viewing
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The plot explicitly presents the Soviet crew and Mujahideen guerrillas sympathetically, giving moral and emotional weight to both sides.
Tank crew commander Daskal’s authoritarian behavior drives internal conflict as much as the external battle.
A Soviet tank crew becomes lost in the Afghan mountains while pursued and challenged by guerrilla forces.
The story frames the Soviet Afghanistan campaign as a Vietnam-like experience of entrapment, attrition, and disillusionment.
Films like The Beast of War, and why
Platoon
shared antiwar drama, military conflict, and morally divided combatants
Full Metal Jacket
shared war drama, oppressive command structure, and soldiers trapped in hostile terrain
The Killing Fields
shared Cold War conflict, guerrilla warfare, and sympathy for opposing sides
Casualties of War
shared bleak war drama, psychological strain, and ethical conflict within a military unit
Movie Details
- Director
- Kevin Reynolds
- Release Date
- 1988-09-14
- Runtime
- 111 min
- Rating
- 7.1 / 10 (227)
Cast
- George Dzundza
- Jason Patric
- Steven Bauer
- Stephen Baldwin
- Don Harvey
- Kabir Bedi
- Erick Avari
- Chaim Jeraffi
- Shoshi Marciano
- Yitzhak Ne'eman
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Beast of War about?
- A lost Soviet tank crew fractures under tyrannical command while battling guerrillas in the unforgiving Afghan mountains.
- What is The Beast of War like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Beast of War as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Beast of War violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in The Beast of War as brutal.
- Which films are like The Beast of War?
- Films with a similar feel include Platoon, Full Metal Jacket, The Killing Fields, and Casualties of War.
- How long is The Beast of War?
- The Beast of War runs 111 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Beast of War?
- In United States, The Beast of War is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
