At the heart of the film is Pitt’s character, Don “Wardaddy” Collier. A grizzled veteran of the war, Wardaddy commands the Fury with unwavering determination and a fierce loyalty to his men. LaBeouf’s character, Boyd “Bible” Swan, is the Fury’s driver and an extremely devout man. His faith is put to the test as they battle their way through Germany, and he ultimately must confront the question of whether his beliefs can allow him to take another man’s fury-surely-was-one-of-the-most-popular-heavyweight-boxers” title=”Tyson Fury surely was one of the most popular heavyweight boxers”>life.
Lerman’s character, Norman Ellison, is the newest addition to the Fury crew. A typist by trade, he is thrust into the role of gunner without any combat experience. As he struggles to adapt to the harsh realities of war, he develops a bond with his fellow crew members, but also faces the possibility of losing his soul to the horrors of war.
Peña’s character, Trini “Gordo” Garcia, is the Fury’s loader. A wise-cracking Mexican-American, he provides a touch of levity to the film while also serving as the glue that holds the crew together. Bernthal’s character, Grady “Coon-Ass” Travis, is the Fury’s bow gunner and the most volatile member of the crew. He serves as Wardaddy’s right-hand man, but his hot temper and brutal tendencies threaten to tear the crew apart.
Ayer’s direction in Fury is unflinching in its portrayal of the brutality of war. From the scene of a German soldier being stabbed to death, to the climactic battle sequence in which the Fury takes on an entire German battalion, the film pulls no punches in its depiction of the carnage and death that defined the war.
But Fury is not just a film about war; it is also about the human cost of war. Lerman’s character serves as the film’s emotional anchor, as we see the toll that war takes on his innocence and humanity. LaBeouf’s character, too, struggles with the moral implications of his actions, as he tries to reconcile his faith with the violence he must commit.
Pitt’s performance in Fury is one of the strongest of his career. As Wardaddy, he is both a force of nature and a tragic figure. His determination to protect his crew and get them through the war is inspiring, but we also see the toll that the war has taken on him. In a poignant scene towards the end of the film, Pitt delivers a monologue about the futility of war that is both heartbreaking and terrifying.
Fury was met with mixed critical reception upon its release, with some critics accusing it of glorifying war and perpetuating American exceptionalism. However, the film’s unflinching portrayal of the brutality of war, and its focus on the human cost of that brutality, ultimately make it a powerful anti-war statement.
In the end, Fury is a film that is not easy to watch, but it is an important one. It reminds us of the sacrifices made by those who fought and died in World War II, and it warns us of the dangers of blindly embracing war and violence without considering their true cost. With its strong performances, vivid direction, and powerful message, Fury stands as a testament to the horrors of war and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of that horror.