The first half of the series was quite good but I felt the last 4 episodes became very predictable and tedious. If I hadn't invested so much time in getting to the half way point I'd have given up.
As long as you go into this with fairly low expectations you'll be ok !!
61 Reviews
Kept me watching
sharon-8680614 January 2019
Keeps me interested
LucyBonette12 January 2019
I haven't finished watching, but I'm emnjoying this and unlike some of the other commenters the flashbacks don't confuse me at all. First of all, they're clearly marked, secondly, they all have very different haircuts during the different phases of their life.
As for subbing the show? I'm watching in the Netherlands with subtitles. Everything is in local languages, so I hear the Hebrew, Spanish and English as spoken by the actors.
As for subbing the show? I'm watching in the Netherlands with subtitles. Everything is in local languages, so I hear the Hebrew, Spanish and English as spoken by the actors.
My Heroes
didembonomo13 January 2019
They're my heroes now! Great team with great spirit, really well done
Not a cheap love story. It's brotherhood, family, adventure, love w its own problems.
I did not want it finished but it finished! I am really upset
I really cried in the final
Really well done to all
Not bad, but watch it in original language
loek-frederiks13 January 2019
Guess people can read subtitles and know how to turn them on. Makes no sense to have other actors play half of the work of the original actors again.
Series is not bad. It is kind of slow, takes it's time to develop the characters.
Series is not bad. It is kind of slow, takes it's time to develop the characters.
Very Interesting
marudieli17 June 2018
Watched 1 episode and couldn't stop, ended up watching all 9 episodes in a row with my wife! Loved the acting of most of the cast (Aviv is so good), really hope the directors won;t ruin upcoming episodes with a cheesy love story. Would watch it again while waiting for more episodes :)
Solid drama that sees four former IDF soldiers heading into the Colombian jungle.
Tweekums25 January 2022
This Israeli series opens with a group of soldiers in Lebanon; they are on their way home but events lead to the death of their leader. Eleven years later the four survivors; Aviv Danino, Dov 'Dubi' Ashkenazi, Yakir 'Benda' Ben-David and Dotan 'Himmler' Friedman have each gone their own way. Benda, who is now running a restaurant in Bogota sees a familiar face in a photograph in the local paper; Yael 'Yaeli' Ashkenazi. Yaeli is Dubi's sister and Aviv's girlfriend was last seen nine years previously and was presumed dead following a traffic accident in the Colombian jungle. Aviv, Dubi and Himmler fly to Bogota and meet up with Benda. Here they set about trying to find more about the picture; information that will ultimately lead them into the jungle where they will face some dangerous characters.
I really enjoyed this series. It got off to a fine start with the scenes in Lebanon; these were tense and served to introduce the four main characters and explain why they are as they are. Once the main story gets underway there is plenty of tension as the quartet face dangers in Colombia. There is a decent amount of action. The use of flashbacks to show us key moments of characters' lives is effective and doesn't distract from the main story. The cast does a solid job throughout. There are some flaws; for example the characters make a lot of unnecessary noise in the jungle even after they know there are armed individuals nearby who are looking for them; hard to believe of anybody... impossible for characters with military training (apart from the one accidentally drugged). The locations; particularly those in Colombia look fantastic. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a good drama with solid action.
These comments are based on watching the series in Hebrew/Spanish with English subtitles.
I really enjoyed this series. It got off to a fine start with the scenes in Lebanon; these were tense and served to introduce the four main characters and explain why they are as they are. Once the main story gets underway there is plenty of tension as the quartet face dangers in Colombia. There is a decent amount of action. The use of flashbacks to show us key moments of characters' lives is effective and doesn't distract from the main story. The cast does a solid job throughout. There are some flaws; for example the characters make a lot of unnecessary noise in the jungle even after they know there are armed individuals nearby who are looking for them; hard to believe of anybody... impossible for characters with military training (apart from the one accidentally drugged). The locations; particularly those in Colombia look fantastic. Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a good drama with solid action.
These comments are based on watching the series in Hebrew/Spanish with English subtitles.
Interesting
mital-padia13 January 2019
Started out good.
ronaldalamascus-9050622 August 2019
This series starts out with some great action and a compelling story line but by episode 3, it quickly slides into mediocrity. Thank goodness I only have 1 more episode! How a production company allows so many talented actors to waste their time trying to make this yarn credible, is really difficult to comprehend. There are just too many gaffes and faux pauses but probably the 2 biggest was depicting trained Israeli soldiers (even if it's been a few years) stomping around in the jungle, acting more like frat boys looking for a place to drink their case of beer than battled hardened veterans and especially Israeli veterans. And I don't know who did the closed captioning (a necessity with the multiple languages), but they were awful. Oftentimes the captions didn't match up to the screen dialogue and there were large gaps with no captions at all. All kinds of wasted potential here.
Wouldn't watch again
jonathanconrad-0692315 January 2019
I watched it in the original audio so I guess the acting was less cheesy for me than for those who watched the dubbed version. The bits in English were awful though- probably dubbed too - and was like the actors were different people when they switched languages.
The show got off to a good start but was ultimately disappointing.
The guys are supposed to be ex special forces, yet they were not tough at all. Half the film is flashbacks, which was irritating, and those bits just ended up serving as an excuse for me to make a cup of tea.
The show got off to a good start but was ultimately disappointing.
The guys are supposed to be ex special forces, yet they were not tough at all. Half the film is flashbacks, which was irritating, and those bits just ended up serving as an excuse for me to make a cup of tea.
Another strong series coming from Israel
BeneCumb13 March 2022
In spite of recurring topics and performers as well as apparently one-track approach, this is also a series (in addition to e.g. Fauda, Bnei Aruba, Hit&Run) that caught my attention from the beginning to the end (the inclusion of a distant foreign country, Colombia, just added thrill and dynamism). All the leading performers are also up to their task, with the distress past and present well depicted, without become too effusive.
Well, the ones with far deeper knowledge of Israel may find more oddities, including as regards to the end, but I found Bishvila Giborim Afim to be another solid stone of the Israeli modern television.
Well, the ones with far deeper knowledge of Israel may find more oddities, including as regards to the end, but I found Bishvila Giborim Afim to be another solid stone of the Israeli modern television.
Great Premise; Compromised Execution; Sloppy Writing Narratively & Emotionally
Jonas202115 January 2019
When Heroes Fly has a compelling premise: four soldiers who survived peak combat experience in the 2006 Lebanon War reunite to find a long-lost lover/sister who had been presumed dead for years. The production values, the concept, the ambition are cut from the cloth that Grade A productions are made. The problem lies with its execution, which sometimes is cut from the cloth of Grade C. When Heroes Fly is like dining in an elegant restaurant with crystal stemware, linen tablecloths, but plastic knives, forks, and spoons. The dialogue is clunky, particularly when the characters speak in English (none of the actors is a native English speaker; they hail from Israel or Latin America). The emotional notes and nuance are frequently missed in both words and in plot. And narratively (as in plot), there are several swings and strike-outs that one has to wonder whether these players are professional despite being in a Major League Stadium in prime time. I won't give away any spoilers, but, for example, the emotional miscues could be akin to the Apocalypse's imminent arrival and the response being, "There is a sale on mayonnaise at the supermarket." With respect to the plot failings, I cannot understand why the authors didn't up the ante by making each of the former soldiers gifted with respect to some sort of talent such that their "mission" to save their former lover/sister/friend would be more thought-out. One soldier could have been prodigy with technology; another with survivalist instincts to aid them in their jungle expedition; another with sharp-shooting - the constellation of which would have had them attempt the impossible with a fighting chance, all the while recognizing their underdog status. Instead, narratively, this plays as if the Three Stooges fall ass-backwards into some Deep State cabal and somehow think that they, ill-equipped and clueless, can capture the flag and reign victorious. The narrative, at times, is so sophomoric, I had to question whether I was watching a remake of The Goonies or whether this was some sophisticated production featuring grown men with real-world weighty concerns. To add insult to injury, the cult-component to the story really made little sense, and as it played out, undercut the narrative thrust for the story's denouement. Did the writers even take note? Did they realize that the core of their conflict was hollow?
When Heroes Fly could have been great. It wasn't. It didn't come close. It was fun, because I've been to both Israel and Colombia, and I am intimately acquainted with both cultures. It was the writing that failed. It was the lack of thought into the depth of the characters and what was driving them, as well as the lack of narrative sense to the story that ultimately compromised this production's aspirations.
I don't necessarily recommend or not recommend. I've seen worse and been more bothered by poorer treatment in the past. As I wrote above, this was like going to an elegant restaurant and drinking from paper cups. There was a lot of good. At the same time, it was sloppy, and it wouldn't have taken much to have tightened the story and had it resolve in a meaningful, logical, and emotionally resonant manner. When Heroes Fly had the potential to haunt me after I was finished watching it, thinking about its implications and still shaking from its impact. Instead, my thought was of what to watch next. It could have been a nutritious and delicious meal made from scratch. Instead, it was a frozen TV dinner.
When Heroes Fly could have been great. It wasn't. It didn't come close. It was fun, because I've been to both Israel and Colombia, and I am intimately acquainted with both cultures. It was the writing that failed. It was the lack of thought into the depth of the characters and what was driving them, as well as the lack of narrative sense to the story that ultimately compromised this production's aspirations.
I don't necessarily recommend or not recommend. I've seen worse and been more bothered by poorer treatment in the past. As I wrote above, this was like going to an elegant restaurant and drinking from paper cups. There was a lot of good. At the same time, it was sloppy, and it wouldn't have taken much to have tightened the story and had it resolve in a meaningful, logical, and emotionally resonant manner. When Heroes Fly had the potential to haunt me after I was finished watching it, thinking about its implications and still shaking from its impact. Instead, my thought was of what to watch next. It could have been a nutritious and delicious meal made from scratch. Instead, it was a frozen TV dinner.
Promised a lot, fizzled out in the end
syleshgopan4 May 2020
It started of like any other thriller from Israeli thrill factory. Background of military, friends, war history together and something new in the form getting to know about one's girlfriend who was supposed to be dead 8-9 yrs back. The plot was good and captive. But somewhere from episode 5-6 it was all the usual cliches and the last episode was bizzare to say the least.
Dissapointed, Israelies are very smart guys
manugw22 January 2019
It starts with a bang and sets very well the mystery in the first four chapters but then throw the suspense away when the plot turns to introduce an array of weird characters like a wizard, your stereotypical bad narco guy and some events that look odd and farfetched. An ex Israeli soldier confronts his demons while looking to his ex love in the jungles of Colombia with three of his peers. Bizarre from the middle to the end
Enjoyable drama that asks questions
InnerWisdom10001 April 2022
I feel a lot of reviewers missed the point of this drama: this is essentially a story about trauma and how four friends became a brotherhood that were there for each other and had a bond that I am sure most of us would envy. And, yes, some of them did fall out but their coming back together depicts real life well and shows us the meaning of humanity.
And I cannot disagree with a lot of reviewers who said this series was a few episodes too many. And I get the disparity between the emotionality of the mother language of those actors who are Israeli and those who are South American when it is dubbed into English and whatever language you are watching it in your country.
But this is to take from Netflix bringing mainly great drama to the masses. You can't have it every way.
I sometimes think viewers overlook the central theme of a drama series or film by being too narrow in their judgment of the acting, script, direction, plot holes and yes, language dubbing. Criticise these if you must but always bear in mind the bigger picture.
And no pun intended.
And I cannot disagree with a lot of reviewers who said this series was a few episodes too many. And I get the disparity between the emotionality of the mother language of those actors who are Israeli and those who are South American when it is dubbed into English and whatever language you are watching it in your country.
But this is to take from Netflix bringing mainly great drama to the masses. You can't have it every way.
I sometimes think viewers overlook the central theme of a drama series or film by being too narrow in their judgment of the acting, script, direction, plot holes and yes, language dubbing. Criticise these if you must but always bear in mind the bigger picture.
And no pun intended.
Pretty good for Keshet
geekydancer17 January 2019
First off, the title, Bishvilah Giborim Ofim should translate to "For Her Heroes Fly", which makes more sense. Secondly, other reviews refer to them as former special forces. But, it shows them as Golani, which is infantry. I love that it is in the only languages I understand, Hebrew, Spanish and English. I'm only on the episode where Oded Ferrer first appears. So far, the plot has developed at a decent pace and the characters are approachable and believable. I wish they'd explained better why Yaeli stopped being datit, and why Aviv was more shell-shocked than the rest of the unit. But, this is an interesting show, despite the flash-backs, and I'm looking forward to them finding her.
Very good show
mageh23 January 2019
It is a good show, not perfect, but good by many standards. It has mystery, thriller and good acting. The pace is also great, not too slow and not too fast. Considering how much bad shows are out there, this is one is literally perfection. Highly recommended.
Surprizingly good
r-08335-3044116 January 2019
I have been through a few series on Netflix lately. Having watched a bit of "Fawda" in the past and having hated it, I was not expecting much from this Israeli production. However, I found it to be pretty good. Although, to be fair, I'm coming from "Queen of the South". Any series is going to look good after that.
It has some deep moments, it's acceptably realistic, the pace is good, the acting is solid. It's only mildly addictive, so I can stop at the end of the episode and look forward to watch the next one the next day. It doesn't compel me to binge watch, keeping me perpetually unsatisfied and craving for more, like some other series do.
So yeah some quality here, enough to recommend that you have a look and see for yourself.
If I would criticize, I would say it lack some gritty, human flaws. The heroic aspect is sometimes pushed too far for no reason. For example, there is one war scene where a group of soldiers know that they are about to be hit by a rocket. Anyone with half a brain would be terrified, but they act cool and walk around chewing gum and supporting each other. Even the guy with PTSD is touching and admirable in his "illness". Even betrayal and animosity are done in a grandiose manner. Everyone have supporting surroundings. Love is deep. Friendship is deep.
We get it!
A bit of imperfection, skeletons in the closet, swiping the dirt under the rug, laziness, etc. would make the series better.
I have only watched the 1st episodes, so I hope it gets better, not worse.
It has some deep moments, it's acceptably realistic, the pace is good, the acting is solid. It's only mildly addictive, so I can stop at the end of the episode and look forward to watch the next one the next day. It doesn't compel me to binge watch, keeping me perpetually unsatisfied and craving for more, like some other series do.
So yeah some quality here, enough to recommend that you have a look and see for yourself.
If I would criticize, I would say it lack some gritty, human flaws. The heroic aspect is sometimes pushed too far for no reason. For example, there is one war scene where a group of soldiers know that they are about to be hit by a rocket. Anyone with half a brain would be terrified, but they act cool and walk around chewing gum and supporting each other. Even the guy with PTSD is touching and admirable in his "illness". Even betrayal and animosity are done in a grandiose manner. Everyone have supporting surroundings. Love is deep. Friendship is deep.
We get it!
A bit of imperfection, skeletons in the closet, swiping the dirt under the rug, laziness, etc. would make the series better.
I have only watched the 1st episodes, so I hope it gets better, not worse.
Started Great Then Nosedived Off a Cliff
mgoldfarb-6881029 April 2019
Wanted to watch this because Michael Aloni is a big fave after Shtisel. And the first 20 minutes were brilliant, and that kept me going through the first few episodes but then the big problem hit. The lead actor, Tomer Kapon, is terrible. Pretty, yes, but in a cast of outstanding actors including Nadav Netz and Moshe Asheknazi, making simple choices and truthfully living a story of coming back not just from war but from PTSD, he overacted every single minute on the screen. Then, as the story unfolded the writer's seemed to be overcome with the same poor artistic taste.
Anyway, I finished the series - sunk cost. You give them the first two hours and you feel like you gotta stay with it.
Not really a spoiler but just to conclude, if I'm ever in trouble in the Andes don't send Colombian special forces to rescue me. It would seem they can't hit the broadside with a full-mag in their AR-15s. Send in a few IDF special forces. They know what they're doing!
Interesting
omidbastanizadeh14 April 2021
I had no idea what the story was about when I started watching and it wasn't what I excepted in a positive way.
It has some story flaws, but over all it's a great entertaining series with good acting.
I strongly suggest to watch it in original language "Hebrew" the dubbing would ruin the authenticity of the characters and the mood, however subtitle goes a little too fast some times.
It has some story flaws, but over all it's a great entertaining series with good acting.
I strongly suggest to watch it in original language "Hebrew" the dubbing would ruin the authenticity of the characters and the mood, however subtitle goes a little too fast some times.
Interesting premise let down by execution
toboer12 March 2021
A good cast and an interesting premise that took the story from Lebanon to Israel to Colombia. The pacing is uneven, however, and the flashback device is overused. Even minor characters get their own flashbacks. Illogical details annoyed me, like the guys who kept shouting loudly while trying to hide from their enemies, or the woman who's been held captive for years but still has perfectly plucked eyebrows.
Stop at Four. You'll Thank Me.
bshanley-614611 December 2019
Started off strong, but went off the cliff around episode 4 or 5. After that it got so stupid I just wanted it to end. I haven't given you the details because of the spoiler alert, but it got bad, real bad. Final episodes were one star.
Near perfect drama
JohnM6329 May 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This is one of the best drama productions I have ever seen. I cannot understand the negative reviews other than that they are from people who entered this series with the wrong expectations.
Admittedly, the title of this series may put you on the wrong foot. This is not a story about heroes and not a story about heroic actions, even though I do not see anyone performing actions like the four guys in this story.
This series depicts a solid story of four friends, all in some way traumatized by war. After this war they find each other again in a common goal, finding a friend who presumably died some years ago.
From there a story develops about finding not only a lost friend, but also about what each of the four has lost in the past. Combine this with a search in de jungle of Colombia, ecountering a cult and a druglord, and you really get a very good story.
The story on the background of each of the main characters is being told through flashbacks. One can easily overuse flashbacks, but in this series they balance well with the current storyline and they help to get a better understanding. The pace of the evolving story is just right for ten episodes. It's only if you see good stories like fastfood, that your probably will be disappointed. Take your time and you will find that there's a purpose to almost every scene and the whole storyline feels balanced.
Acting, dialogues, scenario, photography, are just rock solid.
There are some minor weak points in the ninth episode, when there is some action between the goodies and the baddies, but nothing that would ruin the story.
Definitely recommended.
PS If you only see half of the first episode and stop after that to write a poor and pointless review, ... just don't. Don't give a story a chance if you don't want to, just don't bother letting others know about your opinion. It has no value.
Admittedly, the title of this series may put you on the wrong foot. This is not a story about heroes and not a story about heroic actions, even though I do not see anyone performing actions like the four guys in this story.
This series depicts a solid story of four friends, all in some way traumatized by war. After this war they find each other again in a common goal, finding a friend who presumably died some years ago.
From there a story develops about finding not only a lost friend, but also about what each of the four has lost in the past. Combine this with a search in de jungle of Colombia, ecountering a cult and a druglord, and you really get a very good story.
The story on the background of each of the main characters is being told through flashbacks. One can easily overuse flashbacks, but in this series they balance well with the current storyline and they help to get a better understanding. The pace of the evolving story is just right for ten episodes. It's only if you see good stories like fastfood, that your probably will be disappointed. Take your time and you will find that there's a purpose to almost every scene and the whole storyline feels balanced.
Acting, dialogues, scenario, photography, are just rock solid.
There are some minor weak points in the ninth episode, when there is some action between the goodies and the baddies, but nothing that would ruin the story.
Definitely recommended.
PS If you only see half of the first episode and stop after that to write a poor and pointless review, ... just don't. Don't give a story a chance if you don't want to, just don't bother letting others know about your opinion. It has no value.
Solid drama 7 star
ekatarina-3415617 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
Overall I'd certainly recommend this to anybody wanting a good drama with solid action .Producers and directors represent the city of Bogotá is impressive. Many movies and series only show us the beautiful and spectacular parts of these cities, but the way they collect the reality of the poor and deprived neighborhoods of Colombia is epic .Must watch.
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