Created as a soundtrack for a 1988 HBO film, Steal the Sky is a serviceable assortment of cues, mood-setters, and atmospheric backdrops designed to embellish an action-romance plot linked to the Six-Day Arab-Israeli War of... more » the late 1960s. The music (more action than romance) is clearly the servant of the story as assorted themes surface, then swiftly change or vanish altogether--typical of a traditional soundtrack. Some splendid moments make brief appearances here, particularly a 90-second segment of progressions that begin about seven minutes into the seventh track. Earnest Yanni fans hoping to unearth something rare and wonderful in this musical footnote from the keyboardist's past may be disappointed; this is a decent but not essential recording. Newcomers should investigate Live at the Acropolis or Reflections of Passion. --Terry Wood« less
Created as a soundtrack for a 1988 HBO film, Steal the Sky is a serviceable assortment of cues, mood-setters, and atmospheric backdrops designed to embellish an action-romance plot linked to the Six-Day Arab-Israeli War of the late 1960s. The music (more action than romance) is clearly the servant of the story as assorted themes surface, then swiftly change or vanish altogether--typical of a traditional soundtrack. Some splendid moments make brief appearances here, particularly a 90-second segment of progressions that begin about seven minutes into the seventh track. Earnest Yanni fans hoping to unearth something rare and wonderful in this musical footnote from the keyboardist's past may be disappointed; this is a decent but not essential recording. Newcomers should investigate Live at the Acropolis or Reflections of Passion. --Terry Wood
Neal C. Reynolds | Indianapolis, Indiana | 08/29/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One probably would expect Yanni to emphasize the romantic aspect of a movie more than the action and suspense elements, but that's not the case here at all. Much is said in the music. Much of it has an ominous counterpoint to it which helps keep a viewer entranced. Especially good here is the "Stealing the Jet" sequence. However, the entire soundtrack is good listening. The bonus track, the Beatles' "Nowhere Man" played by an Arabic ensemble during a Baghdad party scene does hit an odd note. But this is good movie scoring."
BEN CROSS OFFERS ANOTHER STRONG PERFORMANCE
A. GRECO | FREEHOLD, NEW JERSEY, USA | 01/11/1999
(4 out of 5 stars)
"STEAL THE SKY IS AN EXCITING MOVIE ABOUT AN AMERICAN SPY (MURIEL HEMINGWAY) WHO SEDUCES A MIDEAST PILOT (BEN CROSS). DURING THIS SEDUCTION AND BETRAYAL, SHE DOES FALL IN LOVE WITH THE MARRIED PILOT. WHEN HE DISCOVERS THE TRUTH, IT IS TOO LATE FOR HIM. HE MUST STEAL A MIG AND FLY TO ISRAEL OR BE FOUND OUT AND KILLED BY HIS OWN GOVERNMENT AS A TRADER. ADDING TO THE EXCITEMENT IS MURIEL HEMINGWAY'S FIGHT TO GET HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN SAFELY TO ISRAEL TO MEET HIM IF HE IS SUCCESSFUL IN FLYING OUT THE MIG. BEN CROSS DELIVERS A STRONG AND BELEIVABLE PERFORMANCE AS THE PILOT TORN BETWEEN COUNTRY, FAMILY, LOVE AND BETRAYAL."
Very good fast film
Don | Westchester | 11/09/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This is a very fine film with great music. Good acting although a bit dated. Very provocative retelling of a true story of a woman spy who seduces an Arab pilot to get him to fly new technology into Israel. Very interesting piece if Israeli and middle East history. Fast paced."
Cheesy but watchable
J. Dykstra | Roswell, NM | 04/04/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"First of all, this 1980s-vintage film about an Iraqi story seems incredibly dated after all of the experiences we've had with Iraq since then. It appears as though the movie was filmed partially in Egypt or Israel and doesn't give a very convincing appearance of Iraq. Most of the actors are Americans or stock Arabic-speaking actors from the time and not necessarily Iraqis. However, in spite of these drawbacks which give the film a bit of a cheesy flavor, it is an engaging version of a true story. It's definitely an interesting 1980s-era romantic war movie. The setting is the mid 1960s just before the Six Day War and before Iraq was under the control of Saddam Hussein."
Iraqi topgun pilot
N. tan | manila Philippines | 08/09/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"this is based on true story about an iraqi pilot who defect to israel flying on a mig15 combat plane way back in 1966, because of this the israeli military was able to study the wickness of the mig15 which contribute to their victory in the six day war in june 1967, the aerial dogfight scene in this movie is really good."