Search - Under The Bombs on DVD

A different kind of road movie . . .

Ronald Scheer | Los Angeles | 08/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like Haskell Wexler filming "Medium Cool" during events on the streets of Chicago in 1968, French-Lebanese director Philippe Aractingi takes his cameras into war-torn South Lebanon, following two fictional characters in a very real world of bombed-out devastation. The result is a shocking and compelling docudrama, where nonprofessional supporting actors play themselves in the tenuous aftermath of 33 straight days of bombing and shelling. Never amateurish or clumsy, the film assumes the structure of a road movie, in which a taxi driver agrees to drive a distraught mother from Beirut to the village where her son has been living with her sister.

Leveled buildings line the roads, and shattered bridges prevent their progress. Suspense builds as a bond between the two characters grows, made especially poignant by the fact that one is Christian and the other Muslim. This film held me all the way to its galvanizing end. The performances of Nada Abou Farhat, as the woman, and Georges Khabbaz as the taxi driver are wonderful. One of the finest, most believable anti-war movies you're ever likely to see."

Great Movie!

Eldemila | 07/15/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie was wonderful. First, let me say, this movie grabs you in just the very first few minutes and keeps you there throughout the entire movie.

My husband is Lebanese, from Saida/Sidon, which is mentioned in the movie. He still has family living in Beirut and elsewhere in the country, so we knew of what took place during the bombings, kept track of the family and what was happening during this time on TV and the net. BUT, to see what the film maker was able to get on film was amazing, though I'm sure hard for my husband to watch.

We showed the movie to other family members and they too thought it was a wonderful movie. Not only is the movie wonderful, the two main actors are fantastic.

I HIGHLY recommend this movie, you won't be disappointed!"

Appealing Characters

Cary B. Barad | Baltimore, MD | 07/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This subtitled film shows rarely seen panoramas of war-torn Lebanon alternating with beautiful landscape scenes following the end the Israeli-Hezbollah war of 2006. As expected, the Arab viewpoint predominates, with minimal attention given to the antecedents of the conflict. Hence, many of the title headings and most of the content are blatantly anti-Israel. Yet, some degree of even-handedness does manage to creep through. Added to the political aspect is a pretty touching human interest story along with appealing lead characters which contribute to the viewing experience. Recommended."