‘Fury’ is a must-watch war film for fans of Saving Private Ryan, airing on BBC tonight
War film fans looking for something intense to watch on BBC One tonight have a highly regarded option in Fury, David Ayer’s 2014 Second World War drama starring Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, Michael Peña and Jon Bernthal.
Set in April 1945, during the final weeks of the European theatre of the war, the film follows an American tank crew fighting its way through Nazi Germany. The story places the soldiers inside the cramped confines of a Sherman tank as they face increasingly dangerous missions and overwhelming enemy forces.
Fury was written, directed and co-produced by David Ayer, who drew on stories from veterans in his own family as well as extensive research when developing the film. Its depiction of tank warfare was also influenced by Belton Y. Cooper’s 1998 memoir, which documented the exceptionally high casualty rates suffered by American tank crews during combat.
The film was released in 2014 and has continued to attract viewers who praise its portrayal of combat, fear and the intense bond between soldiers.
Brad Pitt leads an experienced tank crew
The story centres on battle-hardened Army sergeant Don “Wardaddy” Collier, played by Brad Pitt. He commands a five-man crew aboard the Sherman tank known as Fury as the Allies make their final push across Europe.
His crew includes Shia LaBeouf as Boyd “Bible” Swan, Logan Lerman as Norman Ellison, Michael Peña as Trini “Gordo” Garcia and Jon Bernthal as Grady “Coon-Ass” Travis.
Norman is the newcomer of the group, an inexperienced machine gunner who is suddenly forced to confront the realities of combat. With the crew heavily outnumbered and outgunned, he has little time to adjust to his new surroundings.
Their mission becomes particularly dangerous when they are ordered to defend a hospital against SS troops. The men must rely on one another as the situation deteriorates around them.
The film’s central tension comes from the contrast between the crew’s experience and Norman’s lack of preparation. He must learn quickly what is expected of him, while the others struggle with the fear, exhaustion and psychological toll of fighting a brutal war.
A film built around realism
Ayer placed considerable emphasis on authenticity during production. The actors underwent military training and tank-operation exercises as they prepared for their roles, including a week-long boot camp conducted by Navy SEALs.
The training was designed to bring the actors together as a functioning crew rather than simply having them learn individual performances. Brad Pitt has previously described the demanding conditions they faced, including 5am starts, night watches, exhaustion, cold food and physical penalties when they failed to keep their equipment in order.
That preparation was intended to help establish the close relationships between the five soldiers that are so important to the story.
The production also made extensive use of real World War II-era tanks. Several Sherman tanks were used, while the film famously featured Tiger 131, the last surviving operational Tiger I. The movie was filmed in England, with production beginning there in September 2013.
The attention to detail has helped Fury stand out among modern Second World War films. Its battles are presented from the confined and chaotic perspective of the tank crew, keeping much of the action focused on the soldiers rather than a wider battlefield.
Viewers praise the film’s intensity
The film has developed a strong following among viewers, with several fans describing it as one of their favourite war movies.
One Rotten Tomatoes reviewer called Fury one of their top three war films, possibly their favourite, particularly praising the way it places audiences inside the experience of an armoured crew.
They highlighted the film’s depiction of camaraderie, fear, exhaustion, guilt, psychological trauma, failed plans, brutal combat and selfless sacrifice.
Another viewer described the film as “wildly entertaining and thrilling”, while others have praised its hard-hitting story and ability to keep audiences captivated.
Rotten Tomatoes currently lists Fury with an 84% audience score, based on more than 100,000 ratings, while its critics’ score stands at 75%.
The praise also extends to the performances. One fan described the relationship between the actors as one of the film’s biggest strengths, saying it made the story feel as though there was more to see and left them wanting the film to continue.
Another singled out Brad Pitt, saying he gives a performance that captures toughness, exhaustion, fearlessness and humanity, while describing the sense of brotherhood inside the tank as convincing throughout.
For viewers who enjoy films such as Saving Private Ryan, Fury offers another bleak and intense look at the final stages of the Second World War, this time through the eyes of a small American tank crew fighting against overwhelming odds.
When is Fury on BBC One?
Fury will be shown on BBC One at 10.40pm on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, with the scheduled broadcast running until 12.45am.
For anyone in the mood for a gritty Second World War drama centred on an all-star cast, the 2014 film puts its characters directly in the middle of the final Allied push through Nazi Germany.