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Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

Simply Perfect

Really Surprised!

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

A documentary about the formation of the Israeli Air Force in time to defend the fledgling nation as it declared independence.Starting with two Piper Cubs flown in across the Mediterranean on overload fuel tanks for 11 hours to create supply aircraft.In California C-46 and Constellations were purchased and smuggled out of America across the Atlantic by a circuitous route to create a transport command.Luftwaffe Me 109's were cobbled together with parts obtained through Czechoslovakia and assembled in Tel Aviv and flown straight into combat without any flight testing. The irony of flying in Luftwaffe equipment was not lost on many of the volunteer Jewish American pilots many who had less than 30 mins cockpit familiarization before flying into combat.The first combat ground attack by just four Me 109's stopped the Egyptian Army in its tracks as it started its invasion of Israel.3 smuggled B-17's were used to bomb Cairo with the US commercial pilots bluffing their way into Egypt pretending to be TWA flights.Ultimately the Israelis obtained Spitfires which led to the only known Spitfre/Spitfire combats with the Egyptian Air Force Spits.With commentary by pilots who flew and with contemporary footage and photography. An interesting testament to the pilots who turned the tide in Israel's favor.

"Above and Beyond" is a documentary from Nancy Spielberg, Steven's sister. Additionally, it was written and directed by women--making this film rather unusual. Sad that we don't see more like this.The movie is about a period seldom talked about--the formation of Israel and its statehood in 1948. At that time, most of the Arab world seemed ready to destroy the country and Israel had few resources other than folks eager to create a new nation. They had nothing in the way of military--and the lack of an air force was particularly worrisome. This film is about this first air force-- mostly made up of foreigners (mostly Americans) using surplus WWII airplanes.Fortunately for this film, many of the old pilots were alive to participate in the production--rather amazing considering how long ago these events occurred. In addition to this and some great production values and an interesting story, it's well worth seeing.

What is life? If you have no soul are you then a machine? These Americans knew the hopelessness and the tenacity of the Israelis. They did what they felt must be done. The Arabs outnumbered the Israelis but this was going to be our last stop. Thank G-D for the Americans that helped. Much more can be done with we as opposed to I. Is living doing what you believe in? A heard about this movie through a temple that I usually go to. I saw this film in Westchester, only one movie theater was screening it at the time, it should have been everywhere. I recommend Above and Beyond to anyone who is interested in history and documentaries.This is one of my favorite movies of all time, go see it!

Essentially, after the UN created the original two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian situation, the Arabs rejected it and claimed they would obliterate the Jews. This documentary tells the story of how mainly Jewish American World War II pilots volunteered to fight on behalf of the newly created state of Israel in 1948 and 1949. Using ragtag airplanes they helped defeat the attacking armies from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Iraq. It was a miracle.This documentary interviews the surviving American pilots and has footage from the war. It shows how difficult it was for the Israelis to acquire weapons to fight for their survival. At the time the United States had an arms embargo against Israel and the other Middle Eastern countries. An American, Al Schwimmer, was instrumental in acquiring the needed weapons and planes. He was indicted in 1950 for violating the US Neutrality Act, but emigrated to Israel. He was pardoned by President Clinton many years later even though he never requested it.