Our Boys

"Our Boys" (2019 release; US-Israeli co-production; 10 episodes; 580 min.) reminds us at the beginning that these are "dramatized events that took place in Greater Jerusalem in the Summer of 2014". As the series opens with "Chapter 1: Out Of the Depth: I Cry For You", three Jewish boys aged 19, 16 and 16 are missing, and a nationwide manhunt is soon developing. There are mass prayers held at the Western Wall and other places "to protect and bring back our boys". Meanwhile it is "June 29, 2014" and we get to know a guy at the Shabak (Israel's equivalent of the FBI) headquarters in Jerusalem. He is pessimistic... At this point we are less than 15 min. into the series, but to tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest mini-series featured on HBO. Almost from the get-go, there is so much tension in the air that it is at times almost too much. The kidnapping of the three Jewish boys sets in motion a series of events that pit Israel's Jewish (both secular and Orthodox) population vs. the Israeli Arab population, and the picture that emerges is complex and nuanced, at least as portrayed in this mini-series. (Keep in mind that one-fifth of Israel's population is Arab. ) The production of this mini-series is top notch. It's impossible to tell whether some of these events (like the mass prayers) were re-staged and/or whether some existing TV footage was used. (It's probably a bit of both.) This mini-series really does give a good sense how close up these various factions live within just Jerusalem (East Jerusalem, which is majority Arab, and West Jerusalem, which is majority Jewish). (I had the great fortune of visiting Jerusalem some years ago. What an amazing place it is!)

I saw the first two (of the 10 total ) episodes earlier this week (these 2 episodes are now available on HBO On Demand), and I am completely in the grip of this mini-series. I cannot even begin to imagine what all is going to happen still in the remainder 8 episodes. This is tense and compelling TV watching. If you have any interest in the Jewish-Arab conflict in the Middle East, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw you own conclusion. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

Great miniseries from all angles: phenomenal acting, cinematography, and story. Sad to see so many negative reviews from reviewers who only chose to watch the first couple of episodes with a closed mind. Sometimes the truth is hard to watch when it challenges your beliefs. Hopefully, more reviewers will give this series a chance and appreciate the perspective its depicted from. It would be great to see more honest reviews that aren't clouded by personal biases.

As it states in the beginnig this movie is a feature based on real events, not a documentary film. Those who have given the film one or two stars have not seen the film but only focused on the politics. And you should also see it as a film, and leave the politics aside. Very good script, acting and directing! It's not just what I THINK. I can SEE that it is very well done

The story looks more like a documentary than a drama - it is so real. It is painful to watch, but it's done very well and all the actors are perfect in their roles. You can almost smell the reality of the undivided conflicted city of Jerusalem. Don't be impressed by low grades given to the series by right wing Israelis - they fear that people will watch the series. It's a realistic masterpiece!

This is a brave Israeli series taking a stark look at a cancer in Israeli society.