This is armored combat in 1942 in Russia with the KV-1 ruling the battlefield. This really happened. People will tell you it's inaccurate but only because the proper armor wasn't available for the movie. The Pzkpfw IV should be E and F with short guns but all that was available were long gun H mock-ups used in previous movies. In the actual even the German tanks were 5 cm armed Pzkpfw III, but the mock-ups of these probably weren't available to the movie makers. Their rounds would bounce off a KV-1. The 76.2 mm gun of the KV-1 would pierce the German armor with ease. Just like in the movie.
At least they weren't Patton tanks with crosses on the side. The battle scenes are intense and put you right in the turret with the crew. The engagements are at short range and hard and fast, like World War 2 tank combat often was.
The commander is stoic, the crew is loyal but he drills them hard. Spare parts and mechanical issues rule the day as they struggle to keep the tanks running, even bringing in an engineer from the tank plant. Who just happens to be the estranged wife of the tank commander. It pulls all the strings the way a good war movie is supposed to. As a former US Army tanker this reminded me so much of what I'd experienced keeping the beasts running. The combat was in your face and chaotic just like how it's supposed to be.
A few parts felt contrived and the characters more archetypes than people, but it's a movie about a heroic stand by a Russian tank in the dark days of World War 2 and the story is larger than life.
It's a great ride and far and away superior to Fury.
At least they weren't Patton tanks with crosses on the side. The battle scenes are intense and put you right in the turret with the crew. The engagements are at short range and hard and fast, like World War 2 tank combat often was.
The commander is stoic, the crew is loyal but he drills them hard. Spare parts and mechanical issues rule the day as they struggle to keep the tanks running, even bringing in an engineer from the tank plant. Who just happens to be the estranged wife of the tank commander. It pulls all the strings the way a good war movie is supposed to. As a former US Army tanker this reminded me so much of what I'd experienced keeping the beasts running. The combat was in your face and chaotic just like how it's supposed to be.
A few parts felt contrived and the characters more archetypes than people, but it's a movie about a heroic stand by a Russian tank in the dark days of World War 2 and the story is larger than life.
It's a great ride and far and away superior to Fury.