Fury | Inside the Tank with Brad Pitt and Crew

This week on Forgotten Cinema, we roll into World War II with 2014's Fury, David Ayer’s gritty tank drama starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña, and Jon Bernthal.

On this rewatch, we came to Fury with fresh eyes, especially Butler, who didn’t care much for the film on his first viewing. This time around, he found plenty to appreciate, particularly in the tense, uncomfortable dinner scene that has become one of his favorite moments of the film. It’s a sequence that perfectly captures the claustrophobia, moral gray areas, and psychological toll of living and fighting in such tight quarters.

What Works in Fury

The performances are top-notch across the board. Brad Pitt anchors the film with quiet authority, while Logan Lerman serves as the audience’s way into this brutal world. Bernthal, Peña, and LaBeouf all bring unique, layered energy to their roles, making the crew of the Sherman tank feel like a lived-in, dysfunctional family. Together, they give weight to Fury’s unflinching look at life and death inside a WWII tank.

Where We Struggle

That said, we still have issues with the film’s climactic battle. The tension is there, but some of the logic gaps and “movie moments” strain believability. And of course, we can’t ignore the infamous behind-the-scenes stories about how rough the set reportedly was for the actors, something that inevitably colors how you watch the final product.

Final Thoughts

Despite its flaws, Fury remains a gripping, intense war film that’s worth revisiting. Between its powerful performances, raw depiction of combat, and moments of moral complexity, it stands out as one of the more memorable WWII dramas of the last decade.

Listen to our full conversation wherever you get your podcasts or watch it on YouTube. Whether you’re a longtime fan or someone who passed on Fury back in 2014, this might be the perfect time to climb back into the tank.

And while we have you, why not partake in our latest short film — Method Acting 2 — as Butler sets to pay homage to the method acting in Fury, only Field needs to remind him that he's done this before.