Livestonth I am only giving this movie a 1 for the great cast, though I can't imagine what any of them were thinking. This movie was horrible

Micah Lloyd Excellent characters with emotional depth. My wife, daughter and granddaughter all enjoyed it...and me, too! Very good movie! You won't be disappointed.

Edwin The storyline feels a little thin and moth-eaten in parts but this sequel is plenty of fun.

Isbel A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

pminottawa This movie has the feel of reality. This is not a shoot-em up war hero type of entertainment, it is an attempt to display the reality of Israeli soldiers in Lebanon, who are attempting to defend their ancestral land against an implacable and racist foe who use stealth to cover their cowardliness.There is a lot of politics in dialog, but it is narrow Israeli politics, which may not be appreciated outside of Israel. The taking and holding of Beaufort is controversial...and the ending is the beginning of yet another controversy.Supporters of Racism-Palestinism will not doubt hate the movie. But they should take solace in the fact that wider, non-Zionist political and historical topics are not covered. For instance, the stealing of Jewish lands by Arab armies of aggression, or the genocidal way in which supporters of Racism-Palestinism wish to wipe out Jewish Palestinians, if not yet in body then at least in thought.So the movie has something for everyone. And it is a good way to develop an ear for Israeli Hebrew...which has been more of less the Hebrew of Middle East for a thousand years.

ian-1541 I think that rating films out of 10 is a little futile, as what may stir one person may leave another cold. With that disclaimer set then let me say this about Beaufort: Yes this is a war film, in the sense that the characters are soldiers. It is however, in my opinion far more of a character study than most films in the genre. Full Metal Jacket has been mentioned as a comparable work, and I can understand the comparisons. The internal turmoil of the characters is portrayed with similar verve, and the swings at provoking the big questions have similar merit. Where Kubrick's film veers into the slightly surreal to deliver it's message, Beaufort stairs straight ahead into the stark reality of it's particular war time situation, and this is perhaps the fork in the road where the two films part company. This very tangible starkness is what enables the film to deliver such a telling experience, life and death laid bare for all to see and attempt to comprehend. It is one of the quintessential artistic topics, and Beaufort approaches it admirably. The viewing experience may not be as exhilarating as Saving Private Ryan or Platoon, and it certainly lacks the surrealistic glee of Full Metal Jacket, but Beaufort had me contemplating it's content long after I watched it. It had me writing this review, something that I have not done for any of the films I mention in reference to Beaufort, despite their qualities. In conclusion I would thoroughly recommend Beaufort to anyone that enjoys cerebral films, and if you particularly enjoy war films then I would also recommend Clint Eastwood's "Letters from Iwo Jima" as another excellent war film that is similarly thought provoking.

ohad_r This movie is intense. It will not leave you indifferent. While there are certain political aspects in the movie that probably relate mostly to those who know something about the situation, the movie is first and foremost about people and about war. The movie shows the Israeli soldiers, often presented by international media as fearless and brutal, as human beings who love, hate and mostly fear like anyone else. I do not think that the movie has a clear statement about war. Some believe it is anti-war and lefty. I just believe it presents the human side of war, and doesn't say a lot about politics. It does say, however, that human life is precious and that even soldiers have a right and should fear for their lives.

circusanimals I just saw this last night at the Sydney Film Festival and want to let you know what I thought about it. It is a movie about boredom, fear and leadership, set - as I understand it - in the last days of the Israeli occupation of the buffer zone in Southern Lebanon. The Beaufort of the title is a hilltop fortress used a forward position by the Israeli Defense Forces, and, as the name suggests, was built by the Crusaders in the 12th Century. Because of its history, the site is respected or sacred to both Israel and the Arabs, and has become a symbol of bravery. For that reason, both sides try to ensure the ruins of the original fortress are not damaged, and it becomes a character in the movie as the leader of the small group soldiers left to defend it describes how he feels almost physically prevented from leaving. The scene of the soldiers finally departing has the feeling of a captain wanting to go down with his ship. To get to that point though, the soldiers must survive in their cramped conditions against the increasing attacks by the unseen Hezbollah - who want to make the Israeli withdrawal look like a Hezbollah victory, the indecision and delays from their superiors - who may be waiting for a political solution as they face pressure from the Four Mothers Movement to remove troops from the Security Zone, and their own isolation - especially as any attempt at character development results in that character being the next one to die. And there is humour to illustrate the futility of their mission, as two Shakespearean characters explain that they are "guarding the mountain...so it doesn't escape."It is a political movie: made clear with the intervention of the father of one of the dead soldiers. In fact, I understand that a representative of the Israeli government was booed during his introduction of the movie (which I missed) at the Sydney Film Festival. Was anyone there? What did he say?I'll leave it others in this forum to discuss the politics and reality of the events, but, judging it as a piece of movie making, it is well-written, well-acted, and well-directed, and deserves to do well at the box office. Seek it out.