Welcome back to “Friday Night Movies,” where we delve into films that pack a punch and spark conversation. Tonight, we spotlight “Fury,” a gripping war drama directed by David Ayer and released in 2014. Set during the final months of World War II, “Fury” pulls no punches in its raw depiction of tank warfare, making this action-packed Friday Night Netflix movie a must-watch for our series. The film is an intense exploration of brotherhood, heroism, and the harrowing realities of war, driven by a stellar cast and potent storytelling.
Plot
“Fury” follows the hardened crew of an M4 Sherman tank in April 1945 as they embark on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Commanded by Don “Wardaddy” Collier, the tank crew faces overwhelming odds as they strike at the heart of Nazi Germany. When the young and inexperienced Norman Ellison is assigned to their tank, the crew must band together to teach him the brutal realities of war under fire. The plot thickens as they encounter various life-threatening situations that test their resolve and camaraderie.
Cast
Brad Pitt stars as the tough-as-nails Sergeant Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier, whose leadership holds his crew together amidst chaos. Logan Lerman portrays Norman Ellison, the rookie forced to mature quickly in the crucible of combat. The cast also includes Shia LaBeouf as the deeply religious Boyd ‘Bible’ Swan, Michael Peña as the driver Trini ‘Gordo’ Garcia, and Jon Bernthal as Grady ‘Coon-Ass’ Travis.
Together, they portray a microcosm of a tank crew’s dynamics, highlighting both the tension and the bonds formed under the stress of battle.
Reviews
Here is something we can all agree on — “Fury” has been both praised and critiqued by audiences and critics alike, reflected in its scores on major review platforms. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a high ranking 84% audience score, commended for its action sequences and character development, while some critics noted its intense portrayal of war’s brutality. IMDb users with over 550,000 reviews rate the film highly as well — scoring 7.6, highlighting the film’s gritty, realistic approach to the depiction of tank warfare.
Trailer
Fun Fact
A notable fun fact about “Fury” is that to prepare for their roles, the main actors underwent a rigorous boot camp designed to ensure they authentically portrayed American GIs in WWII. Moreover, the film used an actual German Tiger I tank, the only operational Tiger I in the world, loaned from the Bovington Tank Museum in the UK. This commitment to authentic detail helped create a more immersive and accurate portrayal of the time.
How To Watch Fury
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Until next week – enjoy your night on the couch with Brad Pitt.