Because wars are too big for most minds to contemplate, filmmakers often find it best to cut a war down to a manageable chunk — think of the small group of soldiers in "Platoon" or the submariners in "Das Boot."

For these troops, as with the tank crew in the startling new Israeli drama "Lebanon," war is not about geopolitical goals or territory gained, but making sure your buddy doesn't get killed.

It's 1982, and the first Lebanon War is under way. The four members of a tank crew have been ordered to drive their vehicle, nicknamed Rhino, through a town the Israeli Air Force has already thoroughly bombed. The four are told by the infantry commander, Jamil (Zohar Strauss), that the mission will be relatively safe and simple.

But when the artillery loader, Hertzel (Oshri Cohen), asks for assurances of the mission's safety, Jamil replies sarcastically: "This is a war. Wars are usually dangerous."

The members of the tank crew are all in their 20s, all draftees (military service was and is a requirement for adult Israelis) and as green as the stalks of the sunflowers that director-writer Samuel Maoz shows us at the movie's beginning.

Early in the film, as the tank comes down a road outside the town, the gunner Shmulik (Yoav Donat) hesitates when a car approaches, and watches in horror through his gunsight as the men in the car start shooting Jamil's ground soldiers. Later, when another vehicle comes down the same road, the commander Assi (Itay Tiran) makes sure Shmulik doesn't hesitate a second time. This time, Shmulik ends up killing an old farmer and blowing up a truckload of chickens.

Maoz keeps the entire movie within the confines of the tank; the only view of the outside chaos is provided by the viewfinder through which the fresh-faced driver, Yigal (Michael Moshonov), finds his route. The noise of the tank — the tremendous rattling of the treads, the roar of the engine and the booming of Shmulik's guns — blocks out all other sensations and intensifies the feeling of helplessless, claustrophobia and madness the crew experiences.

In "Lebanon," Maoz concentrates the experience of war so completely that you almost smell the blood and motor oil on the tank walls. In the end, you're grateful that Maoz has taken us into that tank — because nobody would ever want to go in for real.

movies@sltrib.com —

HHHhj

Lebanon

The chaos of war, seen from inside an Israeli tank in this gripping drama.

Where • Broadway Centre Cinemas.

When • Opens today.

Rating • R for disturbing bloody war violence, language including sexual references, and some nudity.

Running time • 94 mins.