So close, but yet so far from what it could have been

Rating: 7/10 (3 November 2014)

As a big fan of "Kelly's Heroes"(and a lifelong reader of ww2 history), when I saw the previews, I thought FINALLY, a ww2 tank film with modern elements of "realism"-having heard they used the first actual Tiger on film I had high hopes.Halfway into it, I still did. Rich with excellent depictions of tanks vs anti-tank guns,tank vs dug-in infantry,and some amazing Tiger vs Shermans footage,it is full of very graphic portrayals of the horrors of war,and initially there were few flat spots.The scene where "Warlord" and the rookie interact with the German civilians was electric-a mix of calm and horror all at once.
In terms of historical accuracy, visually it was spot on. I think the dead German draped over "Fury"and set afire, was wearing "flecktarn"(west German camouflage)pants,but Im not certain. "Warlord's" use of an STG-44 was rewarding; his use accurately showcased it's effectiveness. There was a degree of the "hapless German soldier" element, but this was set in April of 1945,so it was forgivable,up until the final act.
The final act was similar to the final act in "Saving Private Ryan"- in both a large force of German soldiers skipped the standard procedures of reconnaissance and artillery preparation, and then marched single file into the gun-sights of a badly outnumbered force of Americans.In "Fury", it was even less plausible, as the Germans could have easily destroyed the disabled tank with a single panzerfaust. Overall , I enjoyed the film , but hated the ending. If I could re-write it, I would have had the tank crew slowly worn down on a desperate run through hostile territory,against overwhelming odds,like the previews suggested..