Viewers now have less than a week to watch a film noted for its gritty realism and depiction of armoured warcraft with an impressive cast set during the Second World War.
Set in April 1945, around the final months of the conflict, Fury (2014) follows a battle-hardened U.S. tank crew behind enemy lines in Nazi Germany.
Directed by David Ayer, the film stars Brad Pitt as Staff Sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier, with supporting roles from Logan Lerman, Shia LaBeouf, Michael Peña, and Jon Bernthal.
Led by Pitt’s character, the five-man crew faces relentless combat and the psychological toll of war, including the arrival of a new, inexperienced recruit.
The film explores themes of camaraderie, the dehumanizing effects of war, and the struggle to maintain humanity amidst the brutality of combat.
Its title comes from the actual name of the M4 Sherman tank featured in the movie – filmed using a real, operational Tiger 1 tank from the Bovington Tank Museum in Dorset.
To prepare for their roles, the cast went through a rigorous training regimen run by Navy SEALs, including living in a tank for extended periods. Pitt described the experience as one that was “set up to break us down, to keep us cold, to keep us exhausted, to make us miserable, to keep us wet, make us eat cold food. And if our stuff wasn’t together we had to pay for it with physical forfeits. We’re up at five in the morning, we’re doing night watches on the hour”.
Director Ayer also encouraged the cast to clash with each other – even physically – to build up tension. The practice reportedly led actors to end up with black eyes and bloody noses. “I am ruthless as a director”, he explained. “I will do whatever I think is necessary to get what I want”
Upon release, Fury wasn’t a major awards contender. Despite this, it got praise for its performances and authenticity, and is considered by some to be one of the most realistic modern portrayals of tank warfare in the media.
“Great acting, harrowing combat scenes and a sacrifice like no other. Fury strikes me as one of the most “real” war movies of our time”, reads one review on film criticism website Rotten Tomatoes.
“An excellent depiction of the horrors of war within the claustrophobic world of a Tank. Brad Pitt has many standout moments. And one of his best performances. A must see movie”, wrote another fan.
“In a way that many war movies fail, Fury centers itself on the notion that soldiers are not necessarily heroes, but rather brave souls ordered to inflict chaos”, pondered a commenter.
Fury (2014) will be available on Netflix until Wednesday, the 30th of April. From then on, you can rent it on Amazon Prime Video.