The stage curtains open ...
Reporter: "Why would anyone want to own a Sherman tank?" Zack: "Because it's very hard to shoot yourself while you're cleaning it."
"Tank" (1984) starring James Garner, C. Thomas Howell, Shirley Jones, and Jenilee Harrison was one of those films I remember hitting the theaters when I was about 15 years old. I saw the poster and just knew that I had to see it. I was already a fan of James Garner having watched countless episodes of "The Rockford Files" everyday after school. But, for whatever reason, I never did get to see it until many years later ... and it still delivered on its promise.
Sergeant Major Zack Carey (Garner) is moving with his family to Georgia where he hopes it will be his last post in the Army. He brings along with him a Sherman tank that he has fully restored over the last 15 years, something he takes great pride in. He is looking forward to retiring so that he can spend quality time with his family before his son is old enough to move out of the house. However, all plans are put on hold when he gets into it with the local law enforcement in a bar one night and the corrupt sheriff won't be satisfied until Zack is behind bars. When he isn't able to pry the Sergeant Major off of the Army base, he goes after his son instead, unjustly placing him on a prison farm for something he didn't do. Feeling he has no choice or recourse, Zack takes things into his own hands and decides to take his Sherman tank out for a little drive.
I've seen this movie twice now, and I enjoyed it more the 2nd time I saw it. The film was very well cast, with every actor filling their role perfectly. James Garner as the Sergeant Major, Shirley Jones as his no-nonsense, military wife, and G. D. Spradling as the evil sheriff, were all convincing and put in solid performances. The story was fun, though a bit over-the-top at the end - and the side stories along the way were well conceived and executed.
I really enjoyed this movie and would not hesitate to recommend it at a strong 7 stars out of 10. It is a fun slice of the 80's for me, even though I saw it much later. Just seeing James Garner giving that thumbs up on the poster brings back good memories from a good time for me. If you want to be entertained where the good guy triumphs over the bad guy with a 'feel good' ending, then you can do a lot worse than "Tank".
Reporter: "Why would anyone want to own a Sherman tank?" Zack: "Because it's very hard to shoot yourself while you're cleaning it."
"Tank" (1984) starring James Garner, C. Thomas Howell, Shirley Jones, and Jenilee Harrison was one of those films I remember hitting the theaters when I was about 15 years old. I saw the poster and just knew that I had to see it. I was already a fan of James Garner having watched countless episodes of "The Rockford Files" everyday after school. But, for whatever reason, I never did get to see it until many years later ... and it still delivered on its promise.
Sergeant Major Zack Carey (Garner) is moving with his family to Georgia where he hopes it will be his last post in the Army. He brings along with him a Sherman tank that he has fully restored over the last 15 years, something he takes great pride in. He is looking forward to retiring so that he can spend quality time with his family before his son is old enough to move out of the house. However, all plans are put on hold when he gets into it with the local law enforcement in a bar one night and the corrupt sheriff won't be satisfied until Zack is behind bars. When he isn't able to pry the Sergeant Major off of the Army base, he goes after his son instead, unjustly placing him on a prison farm for something he didn't do. Feeling he has no choice or recourse, Zack takes things into his own hands and decides to take his Sherman tank out for a little drive.
I've seen this movie twice now, and I enjoyed it more the 2nd time I saw it. The film was very well cast, with every actor filling their role perfectly. James Garner as the Sergeant Major, Shirley Jones as his no-nonsense, military wife, and G. D. Spradling as the evil sheriff, were all convincing and put in solid performances. The story was fun, though a bit over-the-top at the end - and the side stories along the way were well conceived and executed.
I really enjoyed this movie and would not hesitate to recommend it at a strong 7 stars out of 10. It is a fun slice of the 80's for me, even though I saw it much later. Just seeing James Garner giving that thumbs up on the poster brings back good memories from a good time for me. If you want to be entertained where the good guy triumphs over the bad guy with a 'feel good' ending, then you can do a lot worse than "Tank".