Watch The Tank
- NR
- 2017
- 1 hr 25 min
-
4.2 (695)
The Tank is a 2017 suspenseful drama directed by Kellie Madison, featuring Jack Davenport, Christopher McDonald, and Marguerite Moreau. The movie takes place during World War II when six American soldiers are tasked with guarding a tank that is critical to the war effort. The tank is hiding in a wooded area in the Ardennes forest when the Allied forces are struggling to hold back the German army. The soldiers stationed at the tank must protect it at all costs, but as they settle in for what was expected to be a routine assignment, they soon realize that all is not as it seems.
The story primarily follows a sergeant named Donnie, played by Jack Davenport, who is put in charge of the soldiers manning the tank. His team includes the tough-as-nails crew chief McDowell, played by Christopher McDonald, and a diverse group of soldiers including a Jewish man named Epstein, a southern boy named Johnson, and a medic named Martinez, all played by lesser-known actors.
As they settle into their mission, they encounter a German sniper who seems to be stalking them. The sniper hits their truck, diminishing their escape options, and the tension among the soldiers starts to build. They begin to suspect each other and their mental and physical well-being deteriorates under the pressure, leading to a series of increasingly violent confrontations.
Madison's direction presents a claustrophobic and intense atmosphere, as the soldiers are confined to a small space with danger lurking just outside. The Tank is a character in itself as it becomes a symbol of life and death, and the soldiers fighting to keep the tank away from the enemy become trapped within its metal walls. The script does an excellent job of portraying the anxiety these soldiers must have felt during the war, as they are forced to keep the tank safe no matter the cost.
The movie also deals with issues of prejudice and the racism of the time. The Jewish soldier Epstein is a focus of tension between the soldiers, as some of the members blame him for the war. The dynamic between the soldiers is fraught with anxieties caused by their differences, and it is touching to see them come together when events push them to the brink.
In terms of acting, Jack Davenport is the stand-out performer. He delivers an understated yet powerful performance as he tries to keep the peace among the soldiers while harboring a personal secret. Christopher McDonald is excellent in his role as the crew chief, and his character adds to the tension among the soldiers as he starts to unravel. Marguerite Moreau does not have a lot of screen time, but her character provides some much-needed humanity to the story.
The production design is noteworthy as well, as the tank looks like it was pulled straight from the battlefield. The film has a gritty, realistic aesthetic that makes it feel like it could have been filmed during WWII.
Overall, The Tank is an intense and suspenseful movie that is a must-watch for any fan of war dramas. The script excellently conveys the tension and anxiety that soldiers must have felt in war, and the performances of the cast bring the characters to life. The film remains thrilling throughout, and the story comes to a satisfying conclusion.
The Tank is a 2017 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 25 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.