The Tank – Review
I’m always on the lookout for a good war movie. So when I saw an ad for The Tank (German: Der Tank), I was definitely interested. (Please note that the link is an Amazon affiliate link)
So how was it?
Let me begin by giving a short summary. It is the story of a German Tiger tank crew and their experience on the Eastern Front against the Soviets.
This highlights the first challenge. The main characters are all German. They are likeable and we feel compassion for what is happening. We even cheer for them when they get into battles with the Soviets. But they are Germans!
This movie is not about rehabilitating the Nazis. Quite the opposite in fact. It ends up being a very anti-Nazi film in ways that you have to see to understand.
But The Tank does highlight that the Germans were human beings with all sorts of complexities and not all were monsters. Again, this does not excuse any of the crimes committed during the war and it even deals with them directly.
The Tank is a beautifully filmed movie with an incredible soundtrack. The acting is top notch. I felt like I was right there with them. The battle scenes are amazing.
For parts of the movie, it felt like a blend of Fury, Das Boot, and Saving Private Ryan, but it ended up going in a totally different direction.
I will admit that at first I was not sure to make of the ending. It was not what I was expecting, even though there were hints along the way. Initially I was disappointed but upon reflection, I see the power in how it concludes.
If you want to know what I think actually happened at the end, you can read my interpretation but be warned it contains spoilers.
The Tank is not a movie that seeks to glorify war. It shows war in all of its trauma without falling upon modern trends of extreme gore. I was left with many thoughts, not just about the actions of some in World War Two but about life in general.
I definitely recommend The Tank. It is not a feel-good popcorn movie. It is a movie that takes us to some dark places, but places we need to face.
