Roberta Grossman‘s documentary on Jewish American volunteer fighter pilots who participated in the 1948 Israel War of Independence is indeed a gripping yet lesser-known story recounted in a winning manner. Above and Beyond was made for Hollywood and is a winner on the festival circuit, it won’t have any problems finding the attention of art-house viewers when it is released on January 30. The prospects for this documentary are looking bright.
This film focuses on the reminiscences of older fighters, including a few deceased ones. The film describes the overwhelming challenges that the new nation faced: an air force devoid of existence, all the while being on the verge of annihilation by invading Arab states. Fortunately, these Machal “international volunteers” showed up to help the victims of Holocaust who needed it the most.
A mix of archive and CGI was used in the documentary, but the centerpiece remains the pilots themselves. The own had incredible anecdotes such as describing a plane loaded with explosives as a ‘flying Molotov Cocktail.’ One of the highlights include him talking about his 11 ½ hour solo flight over water to reach the location.
Gideon Lichtman said it best, “I was putting my citizenship on the line while risking jail time, but I didn’t care. I was ready to do whatever to assist the Jewish people.” They talk about how they were recruited and trained in secret in behind the scenes locations including Italy, Panama, and Czechoslovakia.
One notable figure who faced the repercussions was Al Schwimmer. After serving in the US Air Forces, Al was notorious for sneaking 30 leftover airplanes on to Israel. The act managed to get him in serious trouble against the US Neutrality Act and how lost American citizenship. After relocating to Israel and starting a company for aircraft, he was later pardoned by Bill Clinton in 2001.
Perhaps surprisingly to some, one of those interviewed is Paul Reubens, who speaks about his father, the late Milton Rubenfeld, during his mission critical to the fight against the Iraqi Army.
This film is produced by Steven’s sister, Nancy, and her work is informative and entertaining, Above and Beyond, deserves a strong mention as it never fails to pay proper recognition to these people that aided in the establishment of the Israeli Air Force and guaranteed the existence of the state. The fact that this story was never told in feature documentary form for almost seventy years is hard to fathom.
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