Talk:The Beast (1988 film)

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The Beast (1988 film) is within the scope of WikiProject Afghanistan, which aims to improve Wikipedia's coverage of Afghanistan-related topics. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page.

The "Mi-8" used for filming may well have been a western helicopter (indeed most likely was, although the Mi-8 was exported widely throughout the globe). It is, however, worth noting that the helicopter is, I think, modeled on a helicopter known as the Mi-18, a version of the Mi-8 with a sliding door, fuselage extended by about a metre, and, if memory serves, retractable landing gear. Two Mi-18s were used for trials in Afghanistan; today they are either scrapped or serving as training units. See: http://www.fsdome.com/aviation-encyclopedia/helis/country/russia/helis/60.htm http://avia.russian.ee/vertigo/mi-18-r.html

Anyone who can provide further information, it'd be appreciated.

The helicopter in the film looks like an Aérospatiale Super Frelon, but I'm not sure if that's what it is.

GagHalfrunt 00:33, 9 April 2006 (UTC)

[edit] The tank

It would be good if someone with expert knowledge about Soviet tanks could settle the question of whether the tank in the film is a T-55 or T-62 and edit the text to identify it correctly thoughout the entry. At the moment there are several inconsistent statements about which type it is. GagHalfrunt 16:02, 15 December 2005 (UTC)

Global Security.org has information on all military vehichles. The tank in the Beast is a modified T-55 just as Mr. Dye states. An Israeli modified T-55 is called a Ti-67. And if you want I will modify the article if someone else reads this agrees that this tank is a Ti-67 ( modified T-55) Goto globalsecurity.org to confirm what kind of tank this is.

The tank on the poster is clearly a T-55. Having seen the movie two times, I have the clear recollection that the tank used was a T-62 though — but we all know memories can be deceptive :o)--MWAK 14:49, 23 February 2006 (UTC)

The tank in The Beast is obviously an Israeli modified T-55 (Ti-67), hull and turret shape, bogie spacing (1st bogie spaced farther forward relative to last 4) are characteristic of the T-55 and the gun tube is obviously the Israeli variant...

[edit] The politcs

How about the politics?. Whether it was a T-55 or T-62 is a somewhat autistic perspective on the movie. I saw this film when it was released in 1988 or 89. It seemed obvious to me that the film was classically propagandistic. Whether or not the Soviet atrocities took place, the Soviets were presented in the worst possible light and the mujaheddin as romantic and honorable, if primitive, avenging heroes. No mention of flaying Russian prisoners alive of course. Was there an agenda behind the production team? Of course, other films of the time hewed to the same tenor, as in Rambo 3. And remember the Bond film from 1987, The Living Daylights, where the leader of the local mujaheddin band is actually a romantic westernised Oxbridge educated adventurer. Of course, Islamic guerrillas, in Afghanistan or elsewhere, do not evoke the same images in the West today. I suppose they are all completely different now, or perhaps it is because their Kalashnikov's and RPG's are pointed in a different direction?

172.193.251.136 Petroleum

The Soviets DID commit appalling atrocities during their occupation. No ifs about that!195.92.194.11 19:36, 12 January 2007 (UTC)

Yes, because we can take your infallible and objective view on that. Obviously the man that co-wrote Red Dawn will have bias view on the Soviets. No reasonable person should take this film beyond fiction.

-G