Sh'at Neila

Let's get the negatives out of the way first.

Yes, the geek kid is extremely annoying. But his character does experience growth. So there's that. Also, the guy playing Caspi over acts as well.

As to people moaning about bad dubbing, why are you watching a dubbed version? NEVER watch dubbed versions of anything. On Netflix, in particular, every show that is dubbed is awful. Great shows like "Money Heist" and "Babylon Berlin" sound like high school productions if you watch them dubbed. And, yes, there is both a dubbed version and an original language version available of "Valley of Tears" on HBO Max. So, stop complaining if you're not watching with subtitles.

But, all that aside, this is a pretty mesmerizing show. It really sucks you into the moment in time. Many of the details are accurate depictions of the chaos and noise, fear and horror of war. No, not everyone marches into battle like John Wayne or leads troops expertly like George Patton. I appreciate the reality of it all. Together with "1917," these are two of the best anti-war films in a long time. And, yes, pretty much all war films are anti-war films.

The dialect as spoken is with an accent as if the actors rarely if ever speak it. The expressions are though from the 70s as some expressions have changed. Great movie. Great acting. Sometimes it felt surreal: major invasion yet folks take the time to do some touring in a nice car, especially given the geography of the place, i.e. the shelling is within kms of the ride. Avinoam, this is what I am going to start screaming at any homo sapien that is so dysfunctional that every person around him wants to be the first to unload 6 bullets into him. Really hard to imagine that IDF leadership would have asked that 'psychology' person to do anything that would have decided the fate of soldiers. In a way, I thought of that imagined character as an illustration of: only the mental cases were worried about the next war while the political leadership was oblivious in its arrogance. A few seconds from Dayan in the movie led to me to this impression. I loved the background noise/story about sepharades vs. ashkenazi, the diversity of Israel back then ( and now ), reminding us this was a time when only 20-30 years had elapsed since jews from completely different planets came together ( Moroccans vs. Poles ). Some scenes were hyper powerful, i.e. the thirsty man. And what the soldier responded to Avinoam when Avinoam criticized his action. What the series fails to represent: the scale of this attack. I felt like we were in a bubble. I am left wondering why they did not showcase politicians. Maybe a Season 2?

From a Moroccan!

As former tank crew member in IDF, I watched the show and at first shot I said they use real ammo no stunt can move a 90 ton tank like a shot can. Went online and found out they did use. The inside tank fighting talks is precise to the letter, the signs on each tank are precised. Cant believe they may have trained actors to use a tank because inside without any knowledge is life threatening ! Every scene is a masterpiece and down to the very detail!

For me as a citizen of Ukraine - a state that is fighting against aggression of Russia right now - it's very impressive story. As well as a good illustration of the words of Golda Meir (who was born in Kyiv): "They say we must be dead. And we say we want to be alive. Between life and death, I don't know of a compromise".

Also a realistic view on the chaos of war where you can see an ordinary peaceful life with music and relaxing people in towns while there are tanks fighting just several kilometers away.

This is quite an assault on our senses in all senses. The sheer horror and senselessness of young men going to war over political and religious differences. This series really captures the awful reality of average people thrown into the cauldron of horror brought on by fanatical political and religious leaders.

Such a sad sad indictment on so called humanity.

That said, it is terrifically made, acted, directed. The gritty reality is palpable. The cinematography is superb. The plot is a little ridiculous at times and the coincidental interactions absurd, but that aside.

For lovers of war, hopefully this will make you lose that love. War is awful.

This series is not. Watch it!!