i have a bit of an aversion to war films - it's the wimp in me
just don't want to be reminded of what mankind can do to itself
given a weapon, a free pass and primal you-or-me scenarios on tap
but brad pitt is another actor i tend to trust in the films he aligns with
inglorious basterds of course another war film with him in fine form
fury has had generally average reviews but my trust in reviews waning
some lines of text at the start of the film providing useful information
we are deep in germany at the end of ww2 - the enemy still holding on
hitler has conscripted every man, woman and child into the armed forces
his new tiger tanks far superior to the sherman tanks of which fury is onethe all-imporant opening scene - a man on a white horse on top of a hill
comes closer and then riding slowly through scattered bodies and tanks
suddenly and brutally knifed in the head and torso by sargent collier (pitt)
this as he leaps from a tank - the tank - the name fury daubed on it's turret
a tender side of our hero revealed as he pats the horse and sends it away
then inside the tank we meet the other war-weary and hardened men
running repairs underway amongst the ribbing before then heading off
at the nearest town they replenish supplies, petrol, and one man
their forward gunner killed in action and a new recruit assigned
norman is a young and naive office clerk thrust into the front line
teased relentlessly by the crew but collier cuts him a bit of slack
their column of 4 tanks then ambushed en route to the next town
gut-shuddering scenes of tank and machine gun fire at close range
one soldier killed because norman lacking the conviction to open fire
though their attackers quickly overcome and sadly seen as young girls
scenes of other germans hung by the ss for refusing to enlist and fight
this is one powerful film - not a fun ride but a totally engrossing one
in a distressing scene collier forces norman to shoot a nazi prisoner
manning up required but then collier seen breaking down in private
some relief then as the two of them spend time with 2 german women
ironically pitt seen stripped to his waist and a woman quivering with fear
they expect the worst but collier is a gentleman and treats them well
ditto norman who then experiences more about growing into a man
the rest of the crew join them and some superbly directed scenes
the naivety, fear, expectations, desires, anger, relief of all interacting
but it is short-lived - the war is calling and another town to be taken
en route the column of 4 tanks is to protect a strategic crossroads
but a tiger tank intercepts and some amazing battle scenes ensue
the shuddering blast of tank and machine-gun fire so intimidating
the 5 crew members all hard at work concurrently manoeuvring
3 of the sherman tanks destroyed but collier outwits the lone enemy
brief respite and solace for norman before the big final scenes kick in
they alone have to protect the crossroads from an approaching ss battalion
the battle is long and almost unlikely with the fury boys piling up the bodies
eventually the germans wipe them out though norman uses the escape hatch
discovered hiding by a similarly young german soldier and then ignored
thus adding another human element to the war - we are not all bad
phew - the end - 2 hours of a totally engrossing and draining film
more moving music as the credits roll - real war photos on red
brad pitt - executive producer - he the man - what a stunning film
don't understand why the mostly average reviews from the experts
too realistic maybe? not a happy ending? war films out of favour?
who cares - it's a very high recommendation from this viewer...
