A Russian tank unit is lost during the Soviet-Afghan war, leading to a breakdown in order, attempted mutiny, and dessertion to the Mujahideen. Part Moby Dick, part Lawrence of Arabia, and a little bit Rambo, it’s a meditation on war, revenge, and mercy.

Starring George Dzundza, Jason Patric, Steven Bauer, Stephen Baldwin, Erick Avari, and Don Harvey. Written by William Mastrosimone. Directed by Kevin Reynolds.

From the newsletter: This film was suggested to us by a listener; a bomb when it was initially released, it had some life on cable, enough that Dennis somewhat remembers it. It’s a bit slow, which is unsurprising coming from the director of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Waterworld. It’s also a little awkward to watch, knowing that the heroic Mujahideen are literally the Taliban, and there’s an entire history with the CIA that goes unremarked on in the film. But casting Americans as the Russians is an interesting twist for viewers in a world that was still in the Cold War.