Israel Takes Flight in Exclusive Poster for ‘Above and Beyond’

In 1948, years after the end of World War II, Jewish American pilots smuggled planes out of the Unites States and flew for Israel during the Arab-Israeli War. Nancy Spielberg, sister of Steven, has brought their story to film in the documentary “Above and Beyond,” for which Indiewire has the exclusive poster premiere above.

The film’s official synopsis reads: “In 1948, just three years after the liberation of Nazi death camps, a group of Jewish American pilots answered a call for help. In secret and at great personal risk, they smuggled planes out of the U.S., trained behind the Iron Curtain in Czechoslovakia and flew for Israel in its War of Independence. As members of Machal – “volunteers from abroad” – this ragtag band of brothers not only turned the tide of the war; they also embarked on personal journeys of discovery and renewed Jewish pride.” 

The doc was filmed in the U.S., Israel and the UK, and features special effects by Industrial Light and Magic and a score from Hans Zimmer’s studio. Also making an appearance is Paul Reubens (better known as Pee-wee Herman), whose father was one of the pilots.

“Above and Beyond” will be on VOD on April 28.